Taken time off, should I go back now or later?

Hello, I’m in desperate need of some advice from others who’ve been in similar situations.

My mom’s been sick with cancer for years and recently deteriorated as there was no further treatment they could offer. She’s been in hospice for 2 months, with scary moments thinking this was it. My sick leave at my work is at an end now, and she seems better strangely enough. 
It’s all so changeable and I know she doesn’t have much longer with us (likely under 3 months is what the doctors have been saying) but it doesn’t seem like that to me. 
This is obviously a good thing, but I’m struggling with what to do about going back to work and what to say… my life has been completed upended and although I’m so glad I took the time to spend some quality time and see her through some very low lows of recent I’m so nervous about going back to work. 
I work for a small company and people know the reason I went off…. but my mom’s still alive and it might look like I was just being dramatic. This sounds so stupid given the larger scale things going on, but I like my work and get also have a little social anxiety at the best of times. I’m probably overthinking it but I’m not sure how it looks from the outside. It’s been truly terrible and I feel extremely alone amongst my peers (for context I’m 30 with little family) so most decisions, visits etc fall to me. 
I really struggle with all of these unknowns and need some words of encouragement and advice. What would you do or say in my position? 
Thank you 

Parents
  • Hi sunflower

    You are a really caring and loving daughter youve done all the right things for your mother. You have enough emotional stress in your life without having to worry about what your colleagues might think. You have hardly been faking your time off with compassionate leave. Now that leave has run out and you need to return to work and feel you want to, now might be the time to do it especially if you have social anxiety. Hope you can find peace of mind whatever you can decide on.

    Ed

Reply
  • Hi sunflower

    You are a really caring and loving daughter youve done all the right things for your mother. You have enough emotional stress in your life without having to worry about what your colleagues might think. You have hardly been faking your time off with compassionate leave. Now that leave has run out and you need to return to work and feel you want to, now might be the time to do it especially if you have social anxiety. Hope you can find peace of mind whatever you can decide on.

    Ed

Children