[chrisy]

All great comments. You will be guided to make the right choices for yourself. I don't work at a school, but as you know I am Stage IV. Well, I work in management at a skateboard company, so actually it sounds a lot like what you do at the school.

I also love my job. When I began chemo one Friday in 2004 I left Thursday, telling everyone "see you Monday". My oncologist insisted I take at least the first month off! I negotiated with him to let me finish up some stuff I had deadlines on, then set about "not working". By Monday each week I would be in a complete meltdown and within 3 weeks I was back at work full time. For me, it was much better to be at work, and I was (am) very fortunate to work with and for amazingly supportive people. Although I did have the option to work from home occasionally (and I took advantage of this during flu-petri dish season!), for me it was a life saver to be at work.

I agree with several who have suggested that there may be a little more flexibility at work than you think. There are laws, rules and policies - but in the end you are working for people. And people have a way of surprising you - I found true love in the workplace from people I never expected.

I also agree that a month - or now 3 weeks - is a time when a lot of healing can take place now that you are on the mend. You may feel much stronger.

One final point that I think is important to consider. You had a terrible, life threatening complication from your surgery. But before (and just after) that surgery you spoke of it as being done "with curative intent". Hold on to that! You are currently NED and who's to say you will not be around another 20 or 30 years? It's got to be tough to focus on that having been through such an ordeal as you have, but you have proven to be pretty darn tough.

Hang in there Ann