First day of work

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JapanLynn
JapanLynn Member Posts: 471
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
First day of work
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  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 471
    edited November 2007

    Hi--

    I'm getting ready to go to school this morning, and I'm feeling a little nervous.  It's been five months--hope I remember how to teach. :-)  A little worried about my energy level, but I'll do the best I can.

    Please send good karma my way...thanks!

    Lynn

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  • zap
    zap Member Posts: 2,017
    edited November 2007

    Hi:

    I am a teacher too.  I didn't take time off except for surgery (two weeks) as I handled the chemo and rads well.  I did feel sooooooo weird reentering the classroom after surgery and then again when I wore my wig for the first time.  All the tension just fell away after that first day.  I teach 8th grade and they get anxious about sick people.  I am blessed with great co-workers and a sense of humor and I used all these to get me through.  I think just being honest is the best way.  How old are your kids?  if they are little you don't need to do much.  If they are older, as mine are, I just said I was glad to be back and it was back to business.  I had a great wig, so they never skipped a beat.  Some adults are anxious and do not know what to say.  I found that to be exhausting, more than teaching, as I felt I had to "protect" them.  You don't need to do that.  Good luck and tell us how it went. Remember, teachers never forget how to teach.  It just snaps right back.  The fatigue may or may not be a problem.  If someone offers to help   something and they appear genuine, take them up on it.

    Susan 

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  • JapanLynn
    JapanLynn Member Posts: 471
    edited November 2007

    Hi, Susan--

    Thanks for your note...always good to hear from a fellow teacher.  My problem isn't so much dealing with how to present my illness, as I teach ES...the kids were told that I was sick and would be out a few months; that was enough explanation for them.  My problem is working out my schedule again.  I'm a special ed teacher, and I'm trying to juggle schedules, find kids when I need/want them, negotiate with teachers over when to pull them, etc., etc.  I spent the day kind of wandering around in a fog--just felt totally unproductive.  Oh, well--I get another chance today to do better. :-)

    Luckily my colleagues are wonderfully supportive...I got so many cards, letters, gifts, phone calls, etc. while I was in the States that it was truly humbling.  Hope you're well...take good care, and I'll heed all your good advice!

    Lynn

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