AIBU to feel scared to go back to work

[scaredtogobacktowork]

Hi one month before lockdown I was diagnosed with cancer and have had surgery and been off work sick since. My GP signed me off to recover from surgery and I am not on the extremely vulnerable list so don't need to shield.
Im back in work tomorrow and I'm so scared. I know coronavirus isn't as bad now but I work in retail in a very busy seaside town and I keep thinking of all the people I'm going to be serving.
I know I can't live like this forever hiding from the virus but I'm sat here crying because I'm so scared of returning to work.
I keep worrying about a second wave and I don't know I'm strong enough to fight off the virus after the cancer.

Can you speak to your manager about how you feel? They need to help you feel safe and be able to rationalise. The thought is often the worse part , it will probably be ok but only as long as all the risk assessment have been done

Oh OP.... Its OK to be anxious especially after your cancer diagnosis/treatment ... Please speak to your boss and let them help you tomorrow and first few days in...

Can then reassess how feel after over the first hurdle of going back...

I think it entirely natural you'll be frightened, you've just been through cancer and then there's this.

Try to be very kind to yourself and it is ok to accept that you're afraid.

I really hope work goes ok

Thank you all for your kind words ☺️ I will speak to my manager, that makes me feel anxious too as I haven’t worked with her she started whilst I was of sick so I don’t know her.

Have they put a perspex shield between you and the customer? Can you wear a visor?

@Thelnebriati yes there is a screen and ppe

Its good that you have the right equipment at work, have you walked through the journey? Do you have a mask and gloves?
Can you treat it as 'first day new job' nerves, and see how you feel after the first week?

@Thelnebriati yeah there are masks and gloves, I sure everything is been done correctly there and I feel a bit selfish worrying about it when all my colleagues have worked through the pandemic. I don’t know why I feel so scared after everything with my cancer this should be the easy part going back to work and getting some sort of normality back into my life.

Hope your first day back went ok OP.

I can imagine how scared/anxious you feel, I felt anxious going back after been furloughed and you have an extra worry.

Just try and take the next few week slowly and don't put too much pressure on yourself. Im sure your manager will be understanding.

@Lily2000 thanks it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, feeling a lot less anxious now and hoping each day gets a bit better☺️

Thats really good news

That's great! 😁