Home > Collective Diary > Continuing the fight!
Cynthia M. on April 26, 2019
I was Diagnosed with:
Stage 3 lung cancer right lung , second diagnosis 05/16/18 left lung
Employment Status:
Employed
Gender/Age:
Female/62
Type and Description of Treatments:
Radiation, chemo, surgery, more radiation and chemo; 7 months total treatment.
How do you feel today?
Glad to be be alive! However, having a difficult time; need to continue working for healthcare yet having difficult time finding employment that will allow life-work balance. Very difficult to find employment that has healthcare benefits that allow that balance.
Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your life?
My appreciation of the little things.
What is going well for you right now?
Trying to create good work-life balance.
What is not going well for you right now?
Stressed out trying to find a job that will offer healthcare.
What has been the most challenging thing about having cancer?
What it has done to my overall health.
When difficulties overwhelm you, where do you go for support?
Need to find an outlet for support.
How have your long-term goals or life goals changed since diagnosis?
Just want to continue to work and maintain a lifestyle that will be less stressful.
What is your work arrangement right now? What are your hours?
Bouncing around right now trying to find my place.
Since the diagnosis, what has changed in your work life?
People don’t seem to know how to relate.
What has helped you continue to work the most?
Being able to just be out there.
What advice do you have for others trying to work through treatment?
Listen to your body; if you need to take a leave or need to cut back on hours, do it. Give yourself the chance to survive!
How have you dealt with any side effects of treatment?
Surgeries were more trouble than treatments.
If "today's you" could give advice to "day-of-diagnosis you," what would you say?
Continue to know you are strong and can handle this.