Working through chemo: how I kept my job, and my life

When I was diagnosed, I was working full time, co-running a company. I kept working full time through chemo, cold capping and surgery. This is how that worked for me, and why it mattered so much.

Why I kept working

My work was one of the places where I was still me. Not a patient. Not a diagnosis. Keeping it was part of keeping my life, the same way I kept going to the gym and riding horses.

That was my choice. Stopping is an equally good one. There's no right answer here, only yours.

How I told people

I was fully open with my co-founder and the people I worked with. Everyone knew, from the start.

If you'd rather keep it short, this sentence works:

"I'm having treatment for something. I'll be around, and I'll tell you if I need anything."

You don't owe anyone more than that.

What made it possible for me

Knowing my pattern. For me, Day 3 after each infusion was the hardest. Once I knew that, I planned around it instead of being surprised by it.

Something good on the calendar. A short getaway weekend before every chemo.

Never a full day in bed. Not because I'm tough. Moving, working and living normally made me feel like me.

What I'd tell you

Your body and your treatment decide what's possible, not willpower. Talk to your team about what your treatment is likely to look like before you promise anything at work.

How I actually planned my weeks around each cycle, meetings, rest days and all, is something my AI Self can walk you through.