Changing careers during brain cancer
So, I got a new job. This is a time for celebration, I get to take on new challenges and I have an exciting job title, blah blah blah. But that is not what this post is about.
I'm writing about the anxiety-wrenching situation I was/am in when it comes to health care and a job change.
I didn't have medical coverage through an employer when I was diagnosed in July 2008. I was unmarried, unemployed and on disability for approximately 11 months paying for COBRA coverage during both brain surgeries and the first six months I was on Temodar. This was a stressful and expensive time.
Then in August 2009 I landed an amazing job, and I was unionized. What is the cost of health care at a good, union job? Practically nothing! When I got that job I told myself I'd never leave.
Then again, I was also scared out of my mind that I'd die within a year or so anyway. So why worry about my career future?
But time went on and I stayed on Temodar for the full 24 months. I felt invincible on chemotherapy because I knew something was always working in my favor. So what if the tumor tried to grow? Temodar was there to protect me.
Slowly but surely my passion for a successful career flared up again. I had mixed emotions about this.
On one hand, cancer helped me realize there is more to life than a job.
But on the other hand, I can't let cancer keep me down.
And on the other-other hand (I have three hands now) I personally never feel like my job is just a job. I actually like the stuff I do.
Then out of the blue I was presented with a new job opportunity--a great opportunity to work in the non-profit world, which is where I want to go!
The one thing truly holding me back was the cost of health care, and worrying about the 90 days it takes to qualify for the new employer's health plan.
I knew one thing for sure: If I took the job I would have to pay for three months of COBRA (for myself and my husband).
Before I gave my two-week notice I had a brain MRI.
Super Awesome Nurse didn't know it, but when she told me the scan looked good and hinted that my appointments could be spread further apart, she was giving me a thumbs-up to move on with my life.
I have now been at the new job for two weeks--there's only 10 more weeks left until I am on their plan!
But who's counting?
