The journal Archives of Otolaryngology reported a study that followed patients with carcinomas (cancer) of the head and neck to find out if they stopped working. Here are the highlights:
239 patients were employed at time of diagnosis and 38.1% discontinued work.
Of those who left work, the top 5 reasons were: Fatigue (58%), speech (51%), eating (45%), pain (37.8%) or discomfort and appearance (17.1%).
The authors noted that identification of the factors associated with the decision to discontinue work is a first step in providing focused solutions to minimize work disability.
Identification of factors… that makes sense, doesn’t it? But who is helping these folks once this is identified? What have you found helps you?
Patti says
I’m not working due to the side effects from surgery for cancer (pancreatic cancer). I deal daily with pain, chronic fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and overall forgetfullness (from the pain meds). I’m 28 years old and would love to be able to work again but I don’t know if I ever will be able to work full time again.
Rosalind says
Patti – I hear you. . . and know how difficult it is. Here’s the thing I’ve learned. The symptoms change, just like your body changes. None of it stays the same. You might never work “full time’ but figuring out what you can do — and building towards it and then doing it will give you a reason to get up every day and take your mind off this. It’s hard to do this but the best gift you can give yourself. Rosalind