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Lansing's Advice Column

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Dear IMO,

I have been on medical leave of absence for nearly three months. After having had surgery for a cancerous tumor and several radiation treatments, my doctor has given me the "okay" to return to work. I feel quite strong and am anxious to get back. Should I return full time or part time?

Sincerely,

Jack

Dear Jack,

Congratulations. It is always good to hear about a positive outcome from a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Whether you return to work full or part time depends upon the type of cancer and the treatment itself.

As a rule, it is better to follow a gradual return to work allowing yourself time to adjust to the physical and emotional demands of the workplace. Your come back will be a process requiring days and even weeks. This transitional period will be marked by good and bad days if not good and bad hours. Just because your doctor has declared you are healthy enough to go back to work does not mean that you are ready to put in an 8 hour day on day one.

Prior to your first day back on the job, contact your manager and discuss your options for the transition. Establish a routine whereby you increase your office time by an hour every other day. Like an athlete in training, you will need to build up strength over an extended period of time to achieve your previous performance level. If you find the days too demanding, cut back when needed and readjust your plan to accommodate these temporary setbacks.

The transitional process will be one for both you and your co-workers. They will need time to adjust to possible changes in appearance because of the surgery and post operative treatments. You might want to send your officemates a letter or email describing the surgery, treatments and follow-up procedures that may occur. Include a photo of how you will look on that first day so they will not greet you with a look of shock masked by some awkward phrase like, "Gosh, you look worse than I thought." If they feel uncomfortable that you are wearing a hairpiece or makeup, try some humor such as, "I can see you think the wig makes me look fat, too." This type of ice breaker can make people feel much more comfortable during those first few hours back on the job.

Finally, let them know what you want from them. Tell them that you appreciate their concern and desire to keep your spirits high, but you do not want to hear about Uncle Lefty's bone cancer or Aunt Bertha's obstructed bowel. Let them know you are attending a support group for cancer survivors, and for now, that's all the support you need.

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