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How would you show your support for a colleague who has just gone through a breast tumor removal surgery?

She's back from hospital and has gone back teaching, but she is not fully recovered yet.
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trieschman
trieschman
Marked as Best! February 09, 2010 07:06 AM
Having just had any kind of surgery, she would be easy to tire, not back into a routine yet, sensitive, and not able to lift heavy objects. I would ask her point blankly, I understand your situation and I was wondering if there was one thing/task I can take over for you to make your day easier? Then maybe make a few suggestions - always take her trash out, carry items to car for her, collect her school mail and deliver it each day, clean her chaulk or dry erase boards each day.... Find one task you could do for a period of time that would assist her recovery.

Other options would be to organize other teachers to pitch in home made dinners for her for a week or two. Offer to organize other teachers to grocery shop for her for a week. Offer to organize a car pool for a week or two so she wouldn't have to drive.

I am sure there are other things that can be done since you know her and I don't but being up front about it and letting her know you care and want to help speaks the best to her emotions and needs.
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quesera
quesera
February 09, 2010 12:37 AM
I think I would simply welcome her back warmly, let her know that she has been missed, and then tell her that I am genuinely available if she needs some help while she is recouping. I wouldn't want her to feel like I'm going to treat her differently from now on, or that she's somehow incapable. I would want her to know that I'm not viewing her as a victim, but as her same old self, going through a difficult time. It would be up to her to decide how much help she wants, and in what form. I wouldn't want to insult her by treating her like an invalid.

If there were things that I knew would be difficult (cleaning up her room, carrying things to her car), I might make a point of asking if I could help out with those things, but if she said no, I would back off.

I think the most important thing would be to let her know that everyone is happy that she's back because her work is, and always has been, appreciated.
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cherise
cherise
February 09, 2010 01:28 AM
Yes, I would try my best to make her feel welcome back -- maybe even throw a little party in the faculty room with cake and coffee one morning, with a card that says "Welcome back Helen!" (or whatever her name is) that everyone is invited to sign with their welcome back messages. I agree too that it is important to emphasize that you appreciate the work that she does, and that she was missed while she was away. Also, the utmost care should be taken to protect her privacy in front of the students.
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bklynj
bklynj
February 09, 2010 04:04 AM
Tell her welcome back and how good it is to see her and she looks good. Do not ask any details as they will tell you when they are ready. Treat them like you always did and maybe take them to lunch.
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