How many days would you say you lost from work through your cancer?

BobsProstate

So far I think I have averaged one day a week. That's an average meaning some days I have lost 2 or 3 depending on what's going on in my treatments. My HR person at work has questioned me about how much more I expect to lose. I don't know how to answer that other than I will lose however many days it takes. How could you answer this?

BuckeyeShelby

People handle treatment differently, even for the same type of cancer. I have coworkers with breast cancer who had to be off for all treatment. Another who worked through it. I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. I was off one day every 3 weeks for chiro. Maybe 1 day a month to check in with my surgeon. That was over 18 weeks. Other than treatment and dr's appointments, I missed 2 days. First was because my dr was out on my usual chemo day. My bad day was 2 days later - usually on a Saturday -- this time is was a Friday, so I stayed home. The second time I had a taxol leak during chemo causing a chemical burn. I would have gone to work with that but we also had a really had snow storm. Trying to drive in snow w/a bum arm, mmm, no. So maybe 12 days total during treatment. After that, we started with a recheck every 3 months, that has slowly dropped over the last 7 years to once a year now.

fusilier

I was off approximately 60 days, for the surgery and recovery. I took FMLA-time. Fortunately, I had well over 300 days accumulated sick leave, so I didn't lose pay.

I Am Not A Lawyer, but I'd strongly suggest that you start documenting your conversations with HR. On a separate calendar (Day-Timer, whatever) write down the day, time, and person you talk with. Do your best to detail the conversation. Ask why the HR person is bringing up the question.

Not to be _too_ cynical, but it might just be that HR is trying to build a case to terminate benefits, or even employment. Talk to your oncologist and see if there is some sort of "patient advocate" who can help you with details wrt your treatment plan.

Good Luck!

fusilier

James 2:24

LiveWithCancer

I think I lost two or three full days. I lost more partial days - many more partial days, in fact. I often worked part of the day, through lunch, and then left an hour or two early. I was really happy when I finally decided to take early retirement and social security disability so that I didn't have to fight through being at work all of the time.

Whitey61

Have you considered short or long term disability thru your employer or Medical leave?, If they are questioning you about building a case for termination, it might protect you for awhile, until such time you can go on Social security disability..if your a stage 4 patient it's pretty much automatic if done properly.