I am also a newbe, diagnosed 8/10, stage 2 Larynx cancer, 7 weeks raditaion, 5 chemo treatments 9/10-11/10. I am doing better, was planning to go back to work in two weeks, but have 5 if I need them through Clinton's medical leave act. My company is required to keep a job open for me. Problem is they gave my job away, so although I have a job to go back to at the same pay and benefits, is a job I've only done during my first three months on the job 13 years ago, and hated, but I am committed to going back, because I have job security, a pension, and 90 percent lifetime medical insurance if I retire from there (12 more years). My voice is still very hoarse, and gets worse the more I use it. My old job was more independant, less talking. This new job is going to require a lot of talking. My doctors want me to tell them when I want to go back to work, and they will fill out the forms for my employer. I am afraid to back and be told I can't handle the job, and forced to go on permanent disability. But I have no job disability due to the pre-existiing condition of Crohn's disease. I will run out of money to pay my mortgage by the end of March. Has anyone experienced anything similiar? Will over-using my voice too much now make me lose it and be unable to do my job? I also still suffer from cancer related fatigue. I cant handle more than about 4-5 hours in any social situation. Also, I am on 25 mg. Fentanyl and 8 mg. oxycodone about every 4-6 waking hours. How do I decide if I am ready to go back to work? I think I could have handled my old job, but not sure about this new job.