Recently, jobacle.com posted an article about someone who felt uncomfortable whe he realized his boss was coming to work despite being seriously ill. No on knew exactly what was wrong becasue the boss apparently wanted it that way. Although he would sometimes double over in pain, he didn't want anyone to acknowledge it. This made the writer nervous. He wanted to know what he should do. The only thing that really can be done is to respect the boss' privacy. If he doesn't want anyone to know, that's his prerogative; however, I must say I disagree with the boss' decision to keep people totally ignorant of what he was going through.

It isn't easy to work while you're sick with a cold or the onset of the flu, so imagine how difficult it must be for people who have serious illnesses like cancer or Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Although Robin Roberts, who had breast cancer, and Montel Williams, who has MS, are celebrities who can easily afford not to work if they choose, the fact remains that they made the decision to continue working and that couldn't be easy.

Robin Roberts, of ABC's Good Morning America, was diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring of last year. After undergoing surgery in August, she began chemotherapy treatments. She went public with the news that she would continue to work while undergoing chemotherapy. She let everyone know that she would have her good days and her bad days. I don't watch Good Morning America so I don't know how it went, but I do know that chemotherapy is known to cause fatigue, nausea and various other side effects in addition to hair loss. I do know that she wore a wig once her hair began falling out. It stands to reason there were days when Roberts might have needed a nap or two to cope with the fatigue, something doctors say is the most common complaint cancer patients have when going through chemotherapy.

Montel Williams, of the Montel Williams Show on NBC, has been living with MS since being diagnosed in 1999. Unlike Roberts' breast cancer, MS has no known cure. Williams has told stories of collapsing while walking through his studio audience during commercial breaks. Still, he continues to tape his popular daytime talk show. Like Roberts, Williams went public with his illness right away. Taking the intiative puts an end to speculation and gossip.

Of course, the average person doesn't have to worry about speculation and gossip on as large a scale as television personalities like Roberts and Williams. Still, there are some things that need to be considered if you do become seriously ill and want to continue working.

1. Make an appointment to discuss your illness with your boss. Any special needs or considerations should be addressed immediately. In the case of breast cancer, fatigue and hair loss are two of the most readily noticable side effects. With MS, a disease of the central nervous system, every day can bring a different challenge.

2. Consider the best way to let fellow employees know what you're going through. The best way is to allow your boss to make an announcement to your coworkers en mass. They don't have to know the exact nature of your illness, but they do need to know that you will have special needs. Knowing the exact nature of your illness makes it easier for your coworkers to understand your needs and be more tolerant of them. The more your coworkers know what to expect, the better it is for everyone. But the choice is entirely yours and if you choose to go the way of keeping your illness between you and your boss, that's okay. Just be prepared to accept the consequences that go along with that choice.

3. Be mindful of your general health and well-being. If you have the energy to go to work, then go. It will keep you from dwelling too much on your illness and it may make you feel better because you're out among the living instead moping around at home. On the other hand, don't feel guilty if some days you just don't feel up to it. I'm not suggesting you use your illness to malinger, but don't push yourself too hard, either. If you can only do half a day, then only do half a day. If you need to take the entire day, take the entire day, just don't get too overindulgent with it.

Going to work when you're sick is a drag. But going to work while battling or coping with a serious illness is considerably more difficult. By being open and honest about your illness with your boss and coworkers, you make life easier for everyone concerned.