Facing Serious Illness: How to Navigate Work, Life, and Healing

A serious health diagnosis like cancer can hit any of us at any time. When it does, it impacts every part of life—including your career. Whether you’re the patient or the caregiver, the effects are real and often overwhelming.

I’ve been on both sides. I've cared for loved ones and battled illness myself, most recently breast cancer. It’s been tough and unexpected, but it’s also taught me a lot. Here are a few lessons I hope will help you, whether you're going through it yourself or supporting someone who is.

Communicate with Your Employer

If you're working, be upfront with your boss. Explain that your treatment plan may change—and probably will. Ask for flexibility while reinforcing your commitment to stay as engaged as possible.

When I cared for my parents during their battles with cancer, I had compassionate bosses whose support made a lasting difference. I was not only able to hold onto my career, but continue to advance. If you are a leader, strive to be that person for someone else.

On the flip side, I also know what it’s like to be unsupported. In the '90s, working on Wall Street and battling thyroid cancer at 29, my boss said, "Doctors always tell you to take off more time than you really need." (Crazy, right?) I felt pressured to return before I was ready. Thankfully, workplace cultures are changing. Let's keep pushing them forward—because when we reduce pressure, we may help reduce illness too.

Prioritize Self-Care

As I write this, I'm sitting poolside at a resort in Arizona, visiting my daughter. After a long, gray winter, this trip has been a reset for my spirit—the first true getaway since my diagnosis. Just a day in, I already feel renewed.

Find what recharges you—whether it’s travel, meditation, exercise, or simple solitude—and prioritize it. Your health depends on it.

Seek Support Beyond Family

Family is vital, but they may also be too close to fully carry your emotional load. My children and I are incredibly close, but it's hard for me to lean on them when I know they’re processing their own fear and grief. We shield each other instinctively.

That’s why outside support matters. Whether it's a therapist, a support group, or friends who've been there, accept help from those a little removed. People truly want to help—let them.

I hope you never face a serious illness. But if you do, know that you can find ways to cope—and even moments of joy along the way.