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Employment Question: How Have Those With MM Been Able To Maintain Employment While Managing This Disease When Not In Remission?

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Columbus, OH

Employment Question
I am wondering what are some employment options others with MM have chosen that has been successful while attending to their health issues. I stopped working in December to focus more on my health. Although I do not take chemo or other meds, I am not in remission. I am maintaining good outcome MM numbers and lab work primarily through nutrition, supplements, and other lifestyle changes. I am currently working on managing constant bone pain without taking opioids. I do not… read more

February 7, 2022
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A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I am working full time as physician which is stressful. I have modified my schedule while receiving Velcade maintenance. I am using PTO to work 1/2 days on Fridays and now have to modify schedule to Fridays off after Velcade due to significant fatigue. My primary provider signed FMLA so I can continue this schedule when PTO exhausted. Will not get paid for FMLA yet have cut back on expenses. Can keep benefits this way

October 6, 2022
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Maintaining employment while managing multiple myeloma (MM) can be challenging, especially when not in remission. Here are some strategies and experiences shared by individuals with MM:

- Flexible Work Arrangements: Some people switch to part-time schedules or work from home to manage their energy levels and treatment side Show Full Answer

Maintaining employment while managing multiple myeloma (MM) can be challenging, especially when not in remission. Here are some strategies and experiences shared by individuals with MM:

- Flexible Work Arrangements: Some people switch to part-time schedules or work from home to manage their energy levels and treatment side effects.
- Understanding Employers: Having a supportive boss who allows for flexibility can make a significant difference.
- Legal Protections: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides resources and protections for those facing discrimination due to their medical needs.
- Disability Benefits: Some apply for Social Security disability benefits if they are unable to work.
- Job Modifications: Speaking with managers about reasonable accommodations can help make workloads more manageable.
- Alternative Careers: Some find new purposes or hobbies, such as writing blogs or advocating for blood cancer patients, if they can no longer maintain their previous jobs.

It's important to prioritize health and well-being when making employment decisions.

July 26
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I was working full-time when I was diagnosed in 2019. I was able to work at first with little disruption to my schedule, until I started chemo and radiation. The radiation was so intense that it was hard to work, I did my best. Then in 2020i had a stem cell transplant. I took my first FLMA, which was 3 months to recover. I went back part time for the first week, then bad to full time. My job worked with me until I had my transplant after that they expected me to be cured. They put me on probation changed goals so I never could reach all each week. I was forced to take a demotion and a pay cut. I was also written up for using my PTO to go to doctor appointments. So I was sick and trying to keep my job. One year after my transplant I became eligible for FLMA again. Ironically the day I got the paperwork for FMLA I got sick ended up at my doctors and was out of work again for another three months. After that I didn’t go back. I quit my job and moved back by my family and now I can’t work, and I get Social Security disability, I had no problems getting approved. MM is just one thing my body is fighting. It’s like a snowball effect. I still have other serious health issues. I hope you can find a balance. But sometimes you have to put yourself first.

Jodi

May 26, 2023
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Usually small disease means low income large income means huge diseases। Mm usually comes after well sustained wealth rather dipression of future kills। It's very difficult to bet on me being able to sitall dayand work।

November 29, 2022
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I was working full-time when diagnosed, then for a year of pre-stem cell treatment. (A lengthy process, awaiting medicare approval for a twin to twin transplant ... long story.) The only way I was able to make it work was the flexibility to work at home 3 days out of 5. Even then, I nearly got canned for "intemperate" email responses to a psychopath manager coordinating the project I was on. Between the steroids and lack of sleep, it was hard to even stay sane. At a certain point, they ran out of work. And I was grateful. Way too hard to work full-time in the midst of an aggressive treatment schedule. Unfortunately, part-time work in my field is close to non-existent, so I'm mostly retired now.

June 9, 2022

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