How would you react to your nirse if she had cancer?

cconner

I'm 28 years old and work as a nurse on a med/surg unit. I just read a few threads about peopke not believing you're sick; sadly many of us can relate. I had a bilateral mastectomy January 23rd and have decided to remain off of work until my chemo is complete. My job is very physically demanding as well as mentally stressful. Right now I'm halfway through my chemo treatments, 3 of 6. I want to go back to work but am terrified. I've stopped in to drop off paperwork to my manager and all I get is the, "you look great and you can't even tell except for the hair." I've been having all sorts of anxiety about returning.

My wig is semi short and styled where the hair is in my face and it gives me headaches after a few hours. I typically wear bandanas when I go out, and nothing on my head when I'm at home. My fear is, what will my patients think? I would probably not feel comfortable as a patient. When I was pregnant my patients always felt sorry for me having to run around so much. How would they feel if their nurse had cancer? How would I answer them when or if they ask? 5-6 patients for 12 hours each day.As breast cancer patients, how would you feel?

Also, ill my co-workers-who just found out last week- treat me differently? What if I do wear my wig and it gets caught by my stethascope and moves or comes off?

I'm so stressed about it. How do ther rest of you cope? Anyone working directly with the public and how do they respond? 

Thanks!