any middle school teachers out there?

bahamamom3

I am a middle school teacher, and I am having a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy done on Monday, Octobe 17th.  I really didn't want anyone from my work to know about my diagnosis.  As far as my colleagues are concerned, I don't want them to feel sorry for me and treat my differently.  I teach at a school that has a very involved parent base, and I don't want them to think that I am not strong enough to do my job or that I am going to be shortchanging their children in a ny way.  And as for my students, I just don't know what to tell them.  I did go ahead and tell my principal, even though I didn't want to, mostly because I am going to be out for my surgery for between 1-2 weeks, then maybe other days as I do my radiation and any other appointments I have to keep.  Anyway, I don't know what to say to my students.  I don't really want to tell them that I have breast cancer, but I know there will be questions and speculation if I am absent 7-8 days as I am planning.  I would love to hear from any of you who are classroom teachers.  How did you handle telling/not telling your students and the rest of the school community?

Faith316

I teach middle school and I told my students when I found out I had breast cancer.  I was diagnosed in 4/08 so took off the rest of that year.  Before I left, I spent time talking to each class and letting them ask  questions.  One question that came up in every class was if I was going to die.  I told them that some people do ultimately die of cancer but not all.  I kept it very upbeat and positive about how my doctors were going to treat me with some really good drugs and that I was going to be fine.  I took off the rest of that year and then returned in Dec. of the next year after I had finished AC x 4 and Taxol.  I was still on Herceptin and just scheduled those infusions for after school slots.  When I went back, I did not have hair yet but my sub had told me kids about that ahead of time.

I had radiation from Dec. 09 til mid-Feb. 2010.  My appointment was at 7:30 every morning for 6 weeks which meant I would be late to school every day.  So that I wouldn't miss the same class every day, my colleagues were willing to rotate the schedule during those 6 weeks.  So, on Monday, we ran a normal schedule beginning with 1st period.  Tuesday, we started with 2nd period, Wed. started with 3rd period, etc.  That really helped.

Hope this helps.  PM me if you want.

bahamamom3

Thanks so much for sharing your story.  I can see where you would want to tell them since you were missing the last month or so of school.  In my case, I am planning to only be out for the surgery for 1-2 week, and I may not need to tell them.  I am supposed to do radiation, but that should be after school every day and not interfere with my work schedule too much.  I need to decide by tomorrow because that is the last day that I will see them for a while.  I am thinking I may just wait it out and make sure that I don't need more extensive surgery than the lumpectomy or chemo.  If either of those are required for me, then I guess I will have to tell.  I don't understand all the drugs, infustions, etc., that you mentioned, but it sounds like you have had a really intensive treatment plan.  I hope you are beating the disease.  Good luck to you. 

ruthbru

I teach at the middle school level. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to handle this but here is my story. I chose to be totally open and honest with what was going on for a number of reasons:

1. It was a lot easier on me. I live in a small town, people would find out anyway, and if you don't know if they know, and they don't know if they are suppose to know....well, it is very awkward and uncomfortable for all.

2. I needed all the support I could get. By being honest, I was surrounded by caring and real help. My staff-mates brought meals for my family twice a week during chemo, and since my radiation was during the summer, they volunteered to drive me to my appointments (a 200 mile round trip). I never had to drive myself one single day.

3. It could be used as a powerful teachable moment. By telling my students the short undetailed, undramatic version, "This is what's wrong, this is what I'm doing about it, and I will be O.K." and then seeing me be O.K. (I was fortunate to tolerate chemo alright. I took neulasta shots, washed my hands like crazy, and only missed school on infusion days); I think I was a good role model on how to handle adversity, and hopefully sent a message that they too can get through hard situations when tough things happen to them in the future.

Best of luck, and you sure can PM me too if I can help in any way. Ruth