[Brenda Snell]

Hello Charlene. I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in April 2017. After surgery I was scheduled for 8 rounds of chemo. I completed 5 of them before being hospitalized for what they thought was pneumonia in August. I was discharged with O2 and referred to a pulmonologist. In October he diagnosed me with ILD. Though not confirmed yet it was his opinion this was a result of chemotherapy received for breast cancer. My treatments were stopped. I was blessed to be able to work at the same medical clinic for 28 years. My position was Practice Manager which required me to travel to different clinics and do a lot of walking. I continued to work full time during chemo, but it was getting more difficult with each treatment. I had exhausted all my FMLA and was having difficulty working enough hours to build up PTO. Working part time required taking another position and coming in contact with every patient coming through the doors. I knew I couldn’t do that due to my comprised immunity. So I finally made the agonizing decision to resign. I worked so long and hard for my position and giving it all up was heartwrenching. I did have employee disability benefits. Looking back on my decision, I know I made the right one considering my prognosis.