Decision-Making Process Paper

Recently, I was diagnosed with stage III stomach cancer which forced me to make several life changing decisions that would affect my future and that of my loved ones. Initially, I was in shock and overwhelmed with grief, fear and sorrow but eventually accepted the fact that cancer was the problem at hand and decide how I would deal with it. Prior to my diagnoses, I had spent two years on disability and looked forward to returning to the work force full time with the education I have received during those years and new-found confidence in myself and abilities but knowing some kind of treatment would soon follow the diagnosis, I had to decide whether or not to continue my job search or remain on disability and see how the treatments would affect me.

First, I consulted my oncologist (sought wise counsel) and he said given my medical background, I should wait. I then went home and researched stories of others with the same diagnosis to see if they were able to continue work or not. I found that it just depended on who you are because everyone reacts differently to treatment. Some are constantly nauseated, anemic, fatigued and some can carry on with normal activities. Knowing I suffered from chronic nausea and vomiting the last five years of my life, I accepted the fact it would only get worse.

Second, I turned my focus to my reasons for wanting to return to work. I realized that it was a self-confidence thing. I remembered how powerful and important I felt years ago while working and I felt that would help boost my self esteem which in turn, would better my health some. Then, I thought about the affects my dwindling health would have on any potential employers. Employers seek reliable employees that are punctual and with great attendance but if they hired me I could not promise that to them based on how ill I had been in the past.

Finally, after weighing the options of wasting an employer’s time or downing myself even more for not being able to work...