Time off work during cancer diagnosis and treatment

Hi, 

my name is Danielle and 41. I had a recent diagnosis of multifocal invasive breast cancer in November 2024. I had a single mastectomy on the 4th of February 25. 

I work for the NHS and was just after a little advice if anyone could help. 

After my diagnosis I did try to remain in work for 3 days post diagnosis but unfortunately my emotions was all over the show and I was unable to process anything and needed time to gather my thoughts. I was told my surgery would be pretty quick but unfortunately every additional test I had flagged another issue. I’ve been off on sick leave since the 27th November. I think I will need at least a couple more surgeries, one to do a full lymph node clearance and one to add an implant on my mastectomy side after the expander has done its job. I also have an issue with the nipple they tried to save which looks like it might be dying, so I assume when it’s decided what’s happening with that I will possibly need surgery for that too. Everything is up in the air about what’s happening treatment wise until I get my full surgical results.

Today I received a letter relating to my absence and a level 1 teams meeting has been set up for the end of February. Although I know they have protocols and I’m not particularly concerned about this meeting due to the nature of my absence, I feel like it’s a bit of kick to the teeth. My manager I feel could have pre warned me she was sending the letter so that it wasn’t a big deal when I received it. I may be over reacting but after my hospital visit today everything feels like it finally hit me and I felt all the emotions. I love my job, never have I ever in the 12+ years I’ve worked for the NHS had any long periods of sickness. I’m not concerned about them “sacking” me because that would not go down well. My concerns are that I am under extreme stress as it is, I would love to go back to work but everything is up in the air about what my next steps are, I don’t want to feel pressured into returning before I’m ready or my active treatment has finished, mainly because I don’t know how I will react to it and don’t want to have multiple episodes of sick leave. 

Just wondering if anyone with any knowledge could please let me know if there’s any questions I should ask or where I could seek some advice. Thank you