In the work place

For a few weeks after mastectomy I was fortunate to be able to work online at much reduced hours. It was very helpful to devote time to recovery and taking frequent naps. So it took a while before seeing my colleagues (mostly male) again.

One decision before returning to work after mastectomy is about looks. I love the breast-free feel. I don't like bras unless they are super comfortable and I can breathe and expand my rib cage.  I had so gotten used to being breast-free in just 9 weeks post surgery that wearing breast prostheses felt like trying on high heels as a little kid. Neither my husband nor my son cared.  So before going back to work I made the decision not to wear breast prostheses. Everybody would just have to get used to my fabulous new physique. In the weeks away from the office I lost a lot of weight by watching my nutrition and spending much time in the gym. To recover from surgery and combat side effects of Tamoxifen it helps to 1. exercise often, 2. drink a lot of water, 3. eat plenty of greens, and 4. sleep.

After returning to work a few colleagues felt sorry for me because of the breast cancer, they probably thought the weight loss was due to the cancer treatments.  But the overwhelming reaction from my colleagues had to do with how fit (and slim) I looked. They were impressed and envious.  So timing the return to work this way was a great boost to the ego.
Beyond my immediate office environment it was a study in communication networks. People don't notice a flat chest, unless they know about the mastectomy. So when someone stared at my chest, I knew that they must be well connected to the grapevine.
More recently, my colleagues found out about my weightlifting successes, and found it interesting and inspiring for themselves. So now they can see me without thinking about breast cancer. And it is less on my mind also.
I did ask for a lighter work load and made sure the key people knew that I am less energetic at the moment and am dealing with tamoxifen side effects. So hopefully it was understood and forgiven when I skipped committee meetings. After 7 months I still have less energy, although every week brings improvement. It is astonishing that even though I felt recovered when I first returned to work, I clearly notice how much better it is now from only a few weeks ago. And weightlifting keeps getting better and better. It also helped to have a thick exercise mat that can be folded up, and a pillow. This is so that I could lie down to take short naps (and I did fall asleep briefly sometimes even weeks after going back to work).