what did you tell at work while on tx?

hello,

i didn't start tx yet, trying to get myself ready for it and got another question:

it looks, nobody knows how the tx goes before starting it and even while on it. when and what sx we are going to get and how bad they will be.

what did you tell at work while you have been on tx? did you tell anything at all?
what are you were treating for? was it liver desease, blood problems, etc?

i would like to keep it private as much as possible and just trying to find some ideas on how to go around that and justify some time off or more flexible schedule if it is needed while on tx.

thanks a lot!
andy

[flcyclist]

Andy, choosing who to tell and how much detail is a very personal decision.  Since you have no idea how you will responsd to tx, it is hard to say whether it will be necessary to say anything.  You might breeze through the beginning and struggle later or you might have a very rough start.

Family will usually be very supportive, but it is hard to predict the reaction of people at work.  Some have little interest in understanding what you will be going through and may react negatively.  Or you might work with a great bunch of people that are highly supportive.  

I've chosen not to tell anyone yet at work and it hasn't been an issue.  I might change my mind down the road and will do as needed.  The problem is once you tell someone, you can't undo it.  You can't control where it goes and if the information is accurately relayed.    Again, a very personal choice.  

[EyesofBlue55]

Be very careful of who you tell about your disease.The only people that know of mine is family and one close friend.My employer does not know nor do I plan on telling.It is not their business and you are not obligated to tell your personal health status.There is alot of bad stigma attatched to this disease and people will always think the worst  and gossip.Most people are not educated about hep C (I wasnt until I found this forum)and will gossip behind your back.
like flcyclist says its a personal choice and its cant be taken back once you tell people.I might tell after Ive tx but then again I might not.
  Everyone will respond different through tx and you might find you will breeze through and not need to be off from work.Approach that when the time comes.Like I said after you tell you cant take it back. cindy

[charm27]

Yes be careful of who you tell especially in the work force. People (including doctors) are uneducated about this disease. I lost my job weeks before I started tx and unfortunately was unable to work I had a very hard time and after week 6 I was homebound for the next 47 weeks.My opinion dont give any information. See how it goes hopefully you will be one of the few that can continue working...

I wish you good luck and hope all works out.
Tx is a journey..between low HGB and other issues try to get a plan B in effect if your not able to work.

Charm

[Isobella]

I didn't tell anyone at work exactly...I'm worked in a really small family business (my husband's side of the family) so I just told the non-family employees that  I was on medication for severe anemia and may not be my usual energetic self.  

That was pretty much my go-to explanation for anyone that noticed I was a little pale, or not drinking alcohol at get togethers and stuff like that.  

My tx was pretty light compared to most, I wish you the same for you.  Stay hydrated, eat as well as you can.  Rest when your body tells you to, but stay as active as you can tolerate.

Good luck to you.

Isobella

[HectorSF]

What did you tell at work while on tx?
Nothing. Even when taking days off. You get a note from your doctor saying you are under their care and they say you need time off. HR will not ask you any health questions. It is illegal and you can sue them. They are bound by law to protect any health info they receive. But again your doctor only needs to say you are under there care. No other info is needed. If there want to talk to your doctor discuss what you want your doctor to say. Make it as vague as possible. HR will just about never call the doctor. They are only worried about one thing. Law suits. They would do anything that could bring a suit.

Your medical condition is your business only. Does your boss tell you about her/his medical issues? Does the president announce his health issues to the whole company? Of course not. Medical information is protected by privacy laws. No one is allowed to see your medical information without a signed written statement from you.

Only you know your company's culture. But I would be careful in these financial times as your company could in the future be looking for someone to lay off and if someone has medical problems and may miss some days at work due to treatment or appears ill all the time may become one who the company thinks if better off without.

Mentioning liver desease, blood problems is only going to make people curious and it sounds like major health issues.

If someone ask you why you look so tired you could say you are busy outside of work and haven't got much sleep. You can make something up like my doc prescribed me some medicine for my allergies, sinus (something minor) and I seem to be having side effects. You can keep that one going for months saying he/she is trying different medicines. Keep it simple and short. I sure others have better examples then these but you get the point...

I would say it is better to err toward no to little information as once the info gets out it it can't be put back in the tube. And it will spread like wild fire throughout the company.

Best of luck.
Hector

[andy_k]

thanks a lot for your advises and good luck to you too!

[willbb]

Hi Andy...I fully agree with all the folks above...I told no one I work ...,I feel my health is no -one"s  business other than those I wish to tell that are very close to me..

I only treated for 17 weeks and was fortunate  with  side effects being very mild..so it didn"t have to come up, and I would concur with  the rest .if you are struggling with side effects  but can still work....you say you are on medication  that is rough on you  and   anything else is really none of their business.

If it turns out that you have to take some time off..cross that bridge if and when you need to.

Good luck...

Will

[andy_k]

hi Will

thanks a lot for the advise,
i will tell no one at work for now and will see how the tx goes.

i think, i will probably try soc (int + riba) and see how it goes...

good luck to you too!
andy

ps
sorry, i didn't get the answer from Labcorp yet.
i've tried to call them a couple of times, got their voicemail, didn't leave any message.
will try to call them again next week...  

[cakes8267]

I didn't tell my work place for a long time, but when I starting losing my hair, getting skinnier and not feeling well, everyone thought I had AIDS.  So, I scheduled a small meeting with my department and told them I had a liver disease with no mention of the word "HEP".  You should go on FMLA, saves your job.  

[jpritch2]

I told my boss, now wish i had not.  He was totally understanding, but still.
My sides were so mild , that it turns out that I could have handled work w/ no problem.
I would wait until you see now you feel.
and say liver disease as cakes mentioned (good idea!)
j

[Mary4now]

I told folks I was treating cancer with a study drug, the cancer was in the liver and this is a new treatment.  Steady doses of drugs over a long period of time,  chances are extremely good for a cure.
end of story.  

[Kathy73]

I didn't tell anyone at work except for one co-worker who knew how to keep her mouth shut. I only missed one day at work during tx. My problem was the brain fog. I learned to put everything (and I mean everthing) onto post-its because I would forget everything said to me a moment after it was said. I resembled Dorrie in Finding Nemo. I made it through tx and even got a promotion during!

[can-do-man]

Fudging a little bit, or maybe a little play on words wouldn't be as bad. Such as treating a liver disorder. But i would be real careful on a out right lie or making it sound much worse then what it is. That could come back to bite you later on in many ways.

Myself i decided to tell and everything worked out ok, but for some that might not be a good ideal. Only you know your companys history, co-workers, as to what might or might not happen. Just remember once its out you can't take it back, so take your time on how you want to deal with this........ Wishing you the best.

cando