(Robin Roberts (C) gives a thumbs up as she discusses her medical condition with Diane Sawyer (L) and Sally Ann Roberts on ABC's ''Good Morning America'' program in this handout photo released June 11, 2012.)Credit: Reuters/Ida Mae Astute/ABC/Handout
What would you do if you were just about to score a big career coup and learned your health was in jeopardy? Would you forget all about work and just concentrate on your health?
The very day she was about to score a big career coup, an interview with President Obama, Good Morning America host Robin Roberts learned she has a rare blood and bone-marrow disorder called MDS.
This morning, Roberts made her diagnosis public and told GMA viewers that she will undergo a bone marrow transplant. Roberts said the disease was once called preleukemia, and is a complication from the treatment she received to beat breast cancer in 2007.
Roberts has no intention of taking it easy. She has decided to continue on at work, receive treatment, share her diagnosis with the world and believe completely that she will beat this health concern.
She told viewers: "The combination of landing the biggest interview of my career and having a drill in my back reminds me that God only gives us what we can handle and that it helps to have a good sense of humor when we run smack into the absurdity of life.
Bottom line she said: "I’ve been living with this diagnosis for awhile and will continue to anchor GMA. I love what I do and the people with whom I do it. Along with my faith, family and friends, all of you at ABC News give me the motivation and energy to face this challenge."
Lots of viewers took the news hard and some wrote in telling Robin to give up her job and focus completely on her health. Clearly, this is the kind of work life balance decision that takes lots of mulling over. It can have a huge impact on one's welfare.
I'm a lot like Robin. I love what I do for a living and part of getting better, for me, would mean continuing to work. So, I completely understand Robin's decision, her attitude, her public announcement. Robin told viewers "I crave normalcy."
What would you do if you received this kind of diagnosis? Would you continue to go to work? Would you make it public in your workplace? Would everything you did at work seem insignificant?
Click here to see the video of Robin making her announcement
