You know how in some older TV shows or movies there would sometimes be a character that has a stress-induced heart attack or “episode”? They were usually a work-a-holic that continues to stress themselves out in the hospital. For the record, that is NOT me. But I do understand how some people could be mistaken.
I was at the Oncologist getting  a blood test which, I assumed, would result in getting a chemo treatment that day. I was already 4 days delayed, so I wanted to get on with it. At the previous visit (4 days prior) my platelets were too low. Chemo would knock them down further, and super-low platelets can lead to bleeding.  On this day, we learned my platelets bounced back. Unfortunately, while my bone marrow was busy making platelets, it forget to keep up the white blood cell supplies and my neutrophils (the white blood cells that fight infections) had dropped too low. I was going to have to delay another 3  days.
That’s when I start to cry and try to explain, “but… I have a MEETING!” I had specifically planned a meeting that would fall at the end part of a treatment cycle so I’d be feeling okay. Now, with this new delay, it meant the meeting would fall just a week after treatment. 
Let’s revisit a week after the last treatment of this type (remember, I get two types of tretments, every other one is different). The last time, a week out, I tried to go to a meeting. I had to call for a ride home from it. Every 20 steps or so, I would get dizzy. I was super dehydrated and the chemo had been doing its thing. When I *did* get a transfusion, I only barely made it to the door of the treatment room. Dizzy and ready to fall, they found a chair fast; then I proceeded to throw up for 10 minutes (apparently an effect of too-dizzy and dehyrated, who knew?).
And back to my meeting woes…  So, now I’m considering a meeting with about 20 people, many of which are traveling from out of town; and I will definitely be neutropenic (when those neutrophils go away) and very susceptible to germy infection because that happens at the same time every cycle, and I could also be dizzy and unable to stand for more than a minute. Knowing myself and that I would try to push through it, I was imagining myself hurling in the conference room at work…with an audience.  And, it’s kinda necessary for me to be at this meeting. So, yeah, I’m not happy. I’m in the exam room crying about a meeting that is going to be totally messed up.  Were I observing this, I’m confident I  would think I(the patient) was simply a crazy, work-obsessed person with messed up priorities.  
Luckily, the medical staff felt some sympathy for me.  It’s also possible they feared total meltdown. I mean the PA did specifically suggest a massage,  time in the Sun, and taking this extra time to rest and take care of myself. “Do something fun,” she says.
The PA & Nurse made plans for me to get IV fluids for 5 days after the treatment, then scheduled a blood transfusion for the day before the meeting so I could get through it. It worked. I was on the 20-steps-and-dizzy mode the day before the meeting, got the transfusion in the afternoon, and did okay on meeting day. I even stood and chatted for 10 minutes at one point. Amazing! Then I went home and sat in my favorite chair with a blanket, until I went to bed early with a sleeping pill and slept for 12 hours.
I do bring work with me on infusion days — the days I get treatment or fluids or blood or whatever.  My hospital stays also include my work bag so I can work from there. When I’m sick and not feeling good, I don’t work; but most of the time I feel okay DURING treatments (it’s afterward that sucks). Yes, I’ve spent treatment times watching movies or reading or crocheting or chatting with others. I’m not all work all the time; I get the importance of caring for myself. But, if I’m feeling good, I’ll work. I mean, I want to keep my job, I like what I’m working on, and the more I work, the less sick time I’m gobbling up. It actually helps me worry LESS.
So, yes, I’m the person at the cancer clinic with a backpack filled with work. But my priorities are in order. I promise.  Any other meeting, I would have cancelled. Sometimes, though, it’s important to see a big thing through (and I really, really like these people). It helps in feeling productive and a part of things.  I’ve already warned the group, we won’t be meeting in person again until this chemo thing is done. 
P.S. I did, by the way, take a “me” day after that doctor visit to just do happy things.