Did you know in the USA we are concidered disabled?

http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/cancer.html

She was running into problems with her boss who was expecting a lot out of her while she was under going chemo.  Turns out that she is protected from this kind of pressure by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

... and so are we... go figure.  Here is the example they quote.  The second example would cover anyone who has had their prostate removed.

2.   When is cancer a disability under the ADA?

Cancer is a disability under the ADA when it or its side effects substantially limit(s) one or more of a person's major life activities. 

Example: Following a lumpectomy and radiation for aggressive breast cancer, a computer sales representative experienced extreme nausea and constant fatigue for six months.  She continued to work during her treatment, although she frequently had to come in later in the morning, work later in the evening to make up the time, and take breaks when she experienced nausea and vomiting.   She was too exhausted when she came home to cook, shop, or do household chores and had to rely almost exclusively on her husband and children to do these tasks.  This individual's cancer is a disability because it substantially limits her ability to care for herself.

Example:  A telephone repairman with an advanced form of testicular cancer has chemotherapy and surgery that render him sterile.  He is an individual with a disability under the ADA because he is substantially limited in the major life activity of reproduction.

Wow, Sorry I posted this.  I think it's gotten WAY out of hand.

No where do it suggest that you can get a handicap sticker for your car.  This is a gross stereotype of a hadicapped person.  You might want to consider getting one however if your by yourself and suffering while chemo.  If you need one, by all means put your pride in your back pocket and go get one.  When you done with the sticker also by all means hand it back in.  The little old ladies at church who hang on to them (and use them) long after the ill husbands have died drive me nuts.

Sorry I'm also not into Machoism for stupidities sake.  This is the same reason most men did not talk about prostate cancer years ago, and why a lot of us DIED.  My father being the prototypical manly man did not want anyone to know something was wrong until it was WAY too late.

After you are done your treatments and are back to normal, by all mean start leading a normal life.  Not all of us have the option of quitting our jobs for prides sake.  I have a wife and two small children that need support in a tough economy.  Now if I had an employer who would not accommodate me during the rough stages, I would by all mean try and find another job first and foremost.  But this option is not always practical.

All this article states is that your employer

1. has to make accommodations for when your under going treatments.  Whether that be surgery, chemo, or radiation.
2. has to allow you time to go to the doctor appointments and follow ups.
3. has to make REASONABLE accommodations when your return.  Say something like extra bathroom breakers to change your pads.

Now if they cannot do these simple things, by all mean look else where.  If this is not an opition however, you do have rights.

ace06 said...
I guess I am a fanatic about handicaps and work ethics. I had an opportunity to draw unemployment one time, gave the check back and told them all I wanted was a job. I have often said, if I could crawl from the parking lot to the store, I didn’t want a handicap sign hanging in my car. Understand I haven’t been there yet and I am thankful. I have a couple of grandkids running around with diapers and it doesn’t seem to handicap them. I like to work and have often said I want to be working when I die. I was digging stumps with a backhoe 10 days after I had Devintia Robotic surgery. I regretted it that night. I didn’t say I am smart, just that I like to work. I don’t know whether it is heredity or environmental but, I am worried about a generation of children who don’t know how to work and are always looking far a government handout.

he is lied to me and told me he was selling the company and had to let me go even though I had doubled his business in the 2 years I had worked for him? Then never did sell and refused to take phone calls from me. I remember you suggesting to me that he did it for insurance reasons and he should be shot! He was recently bought up on Fedreal charges that he was paying cash for overtime and is now in jail. Guess who turned him in? No it wasn't me, it was his nephew!! Ha, I guess what goes around sometimes comes around.

I never felt like anyone owed me anything, not even him. Yes, I struggled w/ my hypogonadic depression for years but pulled myself out of it w/ much help from you and others here and went out and found another better job because thats me. But I too am glad the laws are there to protect the ones who can't help themselves and have great respect for the ones despite the odds, do.

Your old friend,

Pete

PS> I lost 60lbs!!!! YEA!!