Working while going through treatment.

I have worked 12 hour shifts almost my entire life….as a Stage IV melanoma patient, post lung removal, brain zappage, and tonsil removal (all within 6 months) after having dealt with being a Stage IIIb patient with scars and damage to prove it for 7 years before that.  19 scars all told.  Was in a nivolumab/Opdivo trial for 2 1/2 years. Treatments every 2 weeks for 6 months, then every three months for 2 years.  Additionally, I had to drive 2 hours from my home in Chattanooga to Atlanta, then fly to Tampa for every treatment and occasionally weekly if the trial required my presence for leukophoresis and other studies.  It was not easy.  It was hard.  I missed three days of work during my trial.  While I did not suffer some of the side effects others have, I did not remain unscathed.  Many times we can do what we make up our minds to do.  I also developed vitiligo.  Not beautiful, huh?  Perhaps this will provide perspective:

http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/08/strength-and-beauty-chantelle-brown.html

And…there's this:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/07/beautyjohn-legendnobody-in-worldhe-got.html

I believe beauty starts and blossoms from within.  Just think…now you have something you can really share.  Perhaps even sell.  Life is what we make it.

I wish you well.  Celeste

I have worked 12 hour shifts almost my entire life….as a Stage IV melanoma patient, post lung removal, brain zappage, and tonsil removal (all within 6 months) after having dealt with being a Stage IIIb patient with scars and damage to prove it for 7 years before that.  19 scars all told.  Was in a nivolumab/Opdivo trial for 2 1/2 years. Treatments every 2 weeks for 6 months, then every three months for 2 years.  Additionally, I had to drive 2 hours from my home in Chattanooga to Atlanta, then fly to Tampa for every treatment and occasionally weekly if the trial required my presence for leukophoresis and other studies.  It was not easy.  It was hard.  I missed three days of work during my trial.  While I did not suffer some of the side effects others have, I did not remain unscathed.  Many times we can do what we make up our minds to do.  I also developed vitiligo.  Not beautiful, huh?  Perhaps this will provide perspective:

http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/08/strength-and-beauty-chantelle-brown.html

And…there's this:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/07/beautyjohn-legendnobody-in-worldhe-got.html

I believe beauty starts and blossoms from within.  Just think…now you have something you can really share.  Perhaps even sell.  Life is what we make it.

I wish you well.  Celeste

I have worked 12 hour shifts almost my entire life….as a Stage IV melanoma patient, post lung removal, brain zappage, and tonsil removal (all within 6 months) after having dealt with being a Stage IIIb patient with scars and damage to prove it for 7 years before that.  19 scars all told.  Was in a nivolumab/Opdivo trial for 2 1/2 years. Treatments every 2 weeks for 6 months, then every three months for 2 years.  Additionally, I had to drive 2 hours from my home in Chattanooga to Atlanta, then fly to Tampa for every treatment and occasionally weekly if the trial required my presence for leukophoresis and other studies.  It was not easy.  It was hard.  I missed three days of work during my trial.  While I did not suffer some of the side effects others have, I did not remain unscathed.  Many times we can do what we make up our minds to do.  I also developed vitiligo.  Not beautiful, huh?  Perhaps this will provide perspective:

http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/08/strength-and-beauty-chantelle-brown.html

And…there's this:  http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2014/07/beautyjohn-legendnobody-in-worldhe-got.html

I believe beauty starts and blossoms from within.  Just think…now you have something you can really share.  Perhaps even sell.  Life is what we make it.

I wish you well.  Celeste

Hi AJ – you know, I think from seeing your picture, you are going to be just as beautiful next week, scars and all, as you were when that shot was taken 🙂  

If it was me, I would be asking for a nice tall stool, so you can still look your prospects in the eye and have an animated conversation but sit down if you need to (and I think your employer should agree to the stool – if you are one of their best in the region, they should want to make you happy and feeling secure and comfortable). If you don't need the stool, don't use it but if you do, it'll be there. If anyone notices your scar and comments >> turn it into an advantage, downplay it and say "yeah, I had a little surgery but I'm fine now and I'm really glad to get back to work to see everyone – I missed my customers" >> you'll be shifting the focus back to the task at hand (selling them) while letting them know you love what you do .. which is helping them look their best (how could they resist? Cement the deal – LOL). I'm predicting your sales climb higher!! 😀

Best wishes and best of luck!!

Barb

Hi AJ – you know, I think from seeing your picture, you are going to be just as beautiful next week, scars and all, as you were when that shot was taken 🙂  

If it was me, I would be asking for a nice tall stool, so you can still look your prospects in the eye and have an animated conversation but sit down if you need to (and I think your employer should agree to the stool – if you are one of their best in the region, they should want to make you happy and feeling secure and comfortable). If you don't need the stool, don't use it but if you do, it'll be there. If anyone notices your scar and comments >> turn it into an advantage, downplay it and say "yeah, I had a little surgery but I'm fine now and I'm really glad to get back to work to see everyone – I missed my customers" >> you'll be shifting the focus back to the task at hand (selling them) while letting them know you love what you do .. which is helping them look their best (how could they resist? Cement the deal – LOL). I'm predicting your sales climb higher!! 😀

Best wishes and best of luck!!

Barb

Hi AJ – you know, I think from seeing your picture, you are going to be just as beautiful next week, scars and all, as you were when that shot was taken 🙂  

If it was me, I would be asking for a nice tall stool, so you can still look your prospects in the eye and have an animated conversation but sit down if you need to (and I think your employer should agree to the stool – if you are one of their best in the region, they should want to make you happy and feeling secure and comfortable). If you don't need the stool, don't use it but if you do, it'll be there. If anyone notices your scar and comments >> turn it into an advantage, downplay it and say "yeah, I had a little surgery but I'm fine now and I'm really glad to get back to work to see everyone – I missed my customers" >> you'll be shifting the focus back to the task at hand (selling them) while letting them know you love what you do .. which is helping them look their best (how could they resist? Cement the deal – LOL). I'm predicting your sales climb higher!! 😀

Best wishes and best of luck!!

Barb

Your job does not sound easy!

I would say that if you do undertand and believe that what makes you good at your job is expertise, attitude and confidence, not the way you look. Clients expect you to be professional, enthusiatic and focused on them. They will be impressed by you tackling any appearence issues you have. It gives them confidence that you do not expect them to be perfect.

Immunotherapy affects different people in different ways, so it is hard to answer your question.

I worked throughout my immunotherapy with Ipi (Yervuy).Like most people, I had no side effects of the first infusion. Then I had diarrhorea after the second, which was easily controlled with Imodium. Third infusion added in rash, which was never on my face and controlled with steroid cream. Fourth infusion was when, for me, the Ipi-activated T cells started attacking my anterior pituitary gland – a rare side effect.

I was still delivering a session to an audience when that was happening – it had not yet been diagnosed. And yes, knocking out my anterior pituitary gland has affeted my ability to do my job as my energy levels are now much lower than they used to be.

Do you have a back-up plan? Could you take more time off if that were necessary?

Your job does not sound easy!

I would say that if you do undertand and believe that what makes you good at your job is expertise, attitude and confidence, not the way you look. Clients expect you to be professional, enthusiatic and focused on them. They will be impressed by you tackling any appearence issues you have. It gives them confidence that you do not expect them to be perfect.

Immunotherapy affects different people in different ways, so it is hard to answer your question.

I worked throughout my immunotherapy with Ipi (Yervuy).Like most people, I had no side effects of the first infusion. Then I had diarrhorea after the second, which was easily controlled with Imodium. Third infusion added in rash, which was never on my face and controlled with steroid cream. Fourth infusion was when, for me, the Ipi-activated T cells started attacking my anterior pituitary gland – a rare side effect.

I was still delivering a session to an audience when that was happening – it had not yet been diagnosed. And yes, knocking out my anterior pituitary gland has affeted my ability to do my job as my energy levels are now much lower than they used to be.

Do you have a back-up plan? Could you take more time off if that were necessary?

Your job does not sound easy!

I would say that if you do undertand and believe that what makes you good at your job is expertise, attitude and confidence, not the way you look. Clients expect you to be professional, enthusiatic and focused on them. They will be impressed by you tackling any appearence issues you have. It gives them confidence that you do not expect them to be perfect.

Immunotherapy affects different people in different ways, so it is hard to answer your question.

I worked throughout my immunotherapy with Ipi (Yervuy).Like most people, I had no side effects of the first infusion. Then I had diarrhorea after the second, which was easily controlled with Imodium. Third infusion added in rash, which was never on my face and controlled with steroid cream. Fourth infusion was when, for me, the Ipi-activated T cells started attacking my anterior pituitary gland – a rare side effect.

I was still delivering a session to an audience when that was happening – it had not yet been diagnosed. And yes, knocking out my anterior pituitary gland has affeted my ability to do my job as my energy levels are now much lower than they used to be.

Do you have a back-up plan? Could you take more time off if that were necessary?

I have been able to work while on Ipi. I am a personal assistant for a family which means my job consists of running around a gigantic house all day and running errands constantly. It is not easy and can be very physically demanding. Luckily the family I work for is incredibly understanding of my situation and have been very flexible with me. While I can work pretty much full time, I prefer to work a little less because I tend to get more tired than I used to. Especially the week after an infusion, that's when I am most tired. Plus, I have this joint pain issue going on which can make going up and down 3 flights of stairs difficult some days. Everyone is different and some can handle full time regular work while going through treatment, and others need a little more rest than usual. You'll just have to see where you fit in, give it your best and see how your body reacts.

Hope it goes well for you.

I have been able to work while on Ipi. I am a personal assistant for a family which means my job consists of running around a gigantic house all day and running errands constantly. It is not easy and can be very physically demanding. Luckily the family I work for is incredibly understanding of my situation and have been very flexible with me. While I can work pretty much full time, I prefer to work a little less because I tend to get more tired than I used to. Especially the week after an infusion, that's when I am most tired. Plus, I have this joint pain issue going on which can make going up and down 3 flights of stairs difficult some days. Everyone is different and some can handle full time regular work while going through treatment, and others need a little more rest than usual. You'll just have to see where you fit in, give it your best and see how your body reacts.

Hope it goes well for you.

I have been able to work while on Ipi. I am a personal assistant for a family which means my job consists of running around a gigantic house all day and running errands constantly. It is not easy and can be very physically demanding. Luckily the family I work for is incredibly understanding of my situation and have been very flexible with me. While I can work pretty much full time, I prefer to work a little less because I tend to get more tired than I used to. Especially the week after an infusion, that's when I am most tired. Plus, I have this joint pain issue going on which can make going up and down 3 flights of stairs difficult some days. Everyone is different and some can handle full time regular work while going through treatment, and others need a little more rest than usual. You'll just have to see where you fit in, give it your best and see how your body reacts.

Hope it goes well for you.

Hi Aj,

Well the girls chimed in and now from a guy perspective. A little background, I spent most of my adult career selling women's clothing and (gasp) swimwear.  I know about sales and especially women's motivation when shopping for products to enhance beauty.  For you, its all about your confidence, and your uncanny ability to establish trust with clients.  With trust, everything is easy.  In this regard, you have not changed a bit.  Besides, if your hair is long as pictured, and you after all are a make-up expert, than concealing the scar should not be that difficult.  Your situation also makes you real, and imperfect, just like your customers and frankly its endearing.  Your beauty and confidence comes from within.  This may even lead to talking points and a lot of sales of concealer.  Keep being you and the success you have had, and the new strength and determination that got you through your treatment thus-far will continue to provide an even greater foundation for your success.  You are now stronger than ever.  Go get em!

Gary

Hi Aj,

Well the girls chimed in and now from a guy perspective. A little background, I spent most of my adult career selling women's clothing and (gasp) swimwear.  I know about sales and especially women's motivation when shopping for products to enhance beauty.  For you, its all about your confidence, and your uncanny ability to establish trust with clients.  With trust, everything is easy.  In this regard, you have not changed a bit.  Besides, if your hair is long as pictured, and you after all are a make-up expert, than concealing the scar should not be that difficult.  Your situation also makes you real, and imperfect, just like your customers and frankly its endearing.  Your beauty and confidence comes from within.  This may even lead to talking points and a lot of sales of concealer.  Keep being you and the success you have had, and the new strength and determination that got you through your treatment thus-far will continue to provide an even greater foundation for your success.  You are now stronger than ever.  Go get em!

Gary

Hi Aj,

Well the girls chimed in and now from a guy perspective. A little background, I spent most of my adult career selling women's clothing and (gasp) swimwear.  I know about sales and especially women's motivation when shopping for products to enhance beauty.  For you, its all about your confidence, and your uncanny ability to establish trust with clients.  With trust, everything is easy.  In this regard, you have not changed a bit.  Besides, if your hair is long as pictured, and you after all are a make-up expert, than concealing the scar should not be that difficult.  Your situation also makes you real, and imperfect, just like your customers and frankly its endearing.  Your beauty and confidence comes from within.  This may even lead to talking points and a lot of sales of concealer.  Keep being you and the success you have had, and the new strength and determination that got you through your treatment thus-far will continue to provide an even greater foundation for your success.  You are now stronger than ever.  Go get em!

Gary