Returning to the Classroom After Mastectomy

Hi Magister!

My situation is a little bit different because I teach at a university, so I don't have the same students from semester to semester, but when I started this semester, I opted not to wear my wig so I look nothing like my picture that's posted in various places on our web site!  I too don't want my class to be all about me, but on the other hand, I've always been pretty "real" with my students and used real life examples where appropriate to the topic, so I started off by telling them that I had been in treatment for bc over the last year, including chemo, which explained the hair, and I didn't anticipate it having any impact on the class but you never know, so I thought they should know. 

I also had only had 2 fillings in my TEs, so I wore a bra with inserts.  But, like you, I was a D before and am taking this opportunity to go WAY smaller!  Anyway, you can get the inserts with stuffing so as you get more fills and get bigger, you just take more stuffing out.  this way, you are not always changing sizes!  I think if you're honest and brief, they'll be fine.

 I've also volunteered in my son's kindergarten class and started out wearng a wig and then switched to a scarf when it got to hot and now just a hat.  They asked what happened to my hair and I told them.  they're curious and want to see my hair, and one told me I look like a boy, but then basically, they act normally. 

 the most important thing is to do whatever makes you most comfortable.  that's why I opted to start without the wig because I thought it would bother me more than my GI Jane look.  But i might have done it differently if I were going through chemo (I did mine in summer when i was already off), not sure.  I think if you take it all in stride, they will too.

they're lucky to have a teacher who want sto make it "all about them" - too many don't!

I teach at the middle school level. I told my students very factually and calmly. They will handle it how they see you handling it. I would do chemo on Fridays, and felt good enough to be back in the classroom on Mondays, so didn't miss that much school. I did wear a wig the whole time, as I think MS kids like things to be 'normal', and me with no hair or a hat or something would have been distracting (plus I did NOT look cute with no hair ). Interestingly, I did chemo the spring of one year, so the new kids I had the next year assumed that the 'hair' on my head was mine, and were pretty shocked by the short curly hairstyle (my real hair) that I was suddenly sporting that December. One very 'hip' girl said, "WHAT did you do to your hair?" I rolled my eyes and said, "Don't even ask!" But I felt a real closeness with the kids I worked with the treatment spring, and I also felt like I could be a good example of how to deal with adversity and how to cope when things are tough. Plus, kids are pretty self centered; so if you don't focus on you, but on them, they tend not to dwell on your (or anybody else's) problems, and it was very good for me to keep teaching because I also HAD to focus on other things other than my own crappy situation. Best of luck, because you are thinking it all out, you will do fine! Ruth

Love your question and the advice! I teach 5th grade and was diagnosed right before school started. I've been in and out of the classroom for surgeries and have been very straightforward with parents and also with kids, yet with a little less detail. I think kids know when you're hiding something and that seems scarier than the truth. I also think humor has its place. For my recent reconstruction surgery, I told the kids I'd have "T-Rex" arms for a bit, as my PS had suggested I try to keep my arms at my sides for a while. Laughing seems to cut the tension for everyone. Something that saved me when I went back to school after my DMX was lying down for 15 minutes during morning recess. The librarian set up some pillows for me in the story corner and I listened to some meditation tapes. I never fell asleep, but just being quiet and off my feet helped a lot. Good luck! I'll be thinking of you! Maggie

So glad! Just getting it out there is the hardest day; it sounds like you handled it perfectly, the kids did well, and now they can revert to being goofy teenagers (in otherwords, back to normal ). If you want any 'chemo and the classroom' tips, let me know. Keep us 'posted'. Ruth

Hi Magistar! So nice to meet you - I'm also a high school teacher who had unilateral mast and chemo two years ago. I have some seniors this year who went through it with me two years ago, and we have a special bond.

They were so great through it all - like your kids, they loved my wig and were amazingly supportive of me. My seniors made a Relay for Life team and I still have the poster of pictures they gave me afterwards. Since I had a unilateral, I wore big clothes with the surgical cami and a soft prosthesis for awhile, and I just know that one of the major things on their minds was "which one?????" although they were all polite enough not to ask .

Mine, too, used to turn it around to them - complained about the subs. Gotta love teenagers!

Magister....You're in my January MX group....You've made the jump back to school before I have.

But I teach elementary music K-5, and am on my feet all day long, lugging instruments, moving chairs, and carting stuff back and forth.....My BS told me eight weeks off...and I am so glad.

I had been out a couple of different times before Christmas due to the other two surgeries, so I had already had to tell my students about my diagnosis, and I had prepared them for my absence after Christmas (my BMX was 1/6/10).   I won't be having chemo or rads, so that made it easier on them, but they were all very sensitive and caring.  I even rec'd handmade "get well" cards from one class of 5th graders a couple of weeks ago.

I didn't dwell on the diagnosis, but I felt it was only fair that they knew....and I won't dwell on it when I return either.  But, being as they were "stuck" with a sub for so many weeks (their words, not mine), I felt they needed to know the why behind my absence.

Magister, Cleo (Linda) from our Jan. MX group teaches middle school went back to work this week, too!!  Congrats to you, both!!   blessings...robin

Magister,  I too, teach high school.  I took chemo while teaching in 2008.  I did not wear a wig because I could not stand wearing wigs, but instead wore scarves.  My students always commented on my scarves and how they matched my outfits.  You will find that by continuing teaching, the students will help you get through your treatments.  In turn, you will be a true inspiration to your students!

I had 4 dose dense AC's two weeks apart. I had the neulasta shots so my white blood cells would kick in right away and I didn't really feel that I had to worry so much about getting infections etc.. I also washed my hands like crazy (bringing my own soap from home, as I could only stand the smell of coconut scented soaps; wierd). I felt all HYPER, so sitting around my house would have driven me crazy. I did skip a few after school meetings, or ducked out of them early. (I kept my principal in the loop with what was going on medically and he was wonderful). Zoegr, there are some great wigs out there; mine was so cute and natural that no one knew I was wearing one unless I told them. A friend I hadn't seen for awhile, but who knew I as going through chemo, said, "Well, at least you didn't lose your hair.' Ha! Maybe have some of your better/older dance students be your 'assistants' if you don't feel so hot; they would probably be very happy to have the opportunity to help out. Of course, if you are deathly ill, then you have to stay home, but I think the more normal of a schedule you can keep, the better off you'll be, mentally for sure and maybe even physically. Good Luck All!!!! Ruth