I think that possibly since your employer is providing health insurance, that he is worried about his rates going up since you have had a major medical problem. Don't give into to this. If you are still eligible for the medical coverage with the shorter hours and he won't give you the hours you need, can you find work at another restarant or some other place to cover the addtitional hours you need? Sounds like he is being a prick to a long term employee.
Keep smiling, keep your insurance and don't give him any excuse to let you go.

Take care,
Eileen

Yes, I could find another part-time job, but with a surgery possibly hanging over my head it's a bad time to convince a new employer to take me on.
Yes, Ann Marie--'this too shall pass'.
I guess I am thinking people should be nice to me because I had the big "C". Bwahahahaha.

How about a temp agency? They can work around your surgery and your first job. Temp agencies can be very understanding, too, about your circumstances with your present job. And people should be nice to you because you are a nice person! But, you know sometimes there are people that are just no d*** good! You just have to try to not let them get to you.

Temp agancy is a good idea, but sadly----I have no job skills!!!
Just a good personality--which can take you far as a waitress, but not sure what else I can do with that!

I didn't realize you were facing the possibility of more surgery. Does your employer know that? Maybe he doesn't want to give you more hours now because he doesn't want to be left shorthanded if you need more surgery. Other than hours, is he treating you differently than before you had cancer? Maybe once your treatment plan settles down, he will be more willing to give you more time. Like I said, keep smiling, keep his customers happy and keep the insurance.

Take care,
Eileen

I'll say it again as a manager of people for almost my entire working life, you really need to try to sit down with him in a calm environment, say after hours or at least when the restaurant is closed, and just be open with him and basically just ask him all your questions and concerns in a non confrontational way. He didn't want you to work for him all these years for nothing so he might have a side worth hearing. Many managers make employee decisions out of ignorance and/or fears which is why letting him hear your side might be beneficial to the both of you.

Is it at all possible your employer decreased your work hours because he cares about not over-working you and that he really cares about your health? Also - I have to disagree with the "no job skills" part of your comment. It takes a lot of "people"skills (psychology, organization, responsibility) to be a waitress and remember who gets what and when, especially when most people tend to get a little grouchy when they are hungry! I worked for a temp agency for a while as a favor to my ex-daughter-in-law who was having trouble finding people. One of my jobs was to go to the airport, sit in a big room with about 12 other people, reading magazine/books, etc while waiting to be called up and have lotion spread on my hands while someone else took notes. A couple of the days I didn't get "called on" at all and just brought me a book to read and I got paid for the full day at $10/hr. There are lots of "people skill jobs" (receptionist, phone answering, delivery) and I'm sure a temp agency could list lots more.

Anne-Marie,
I agree that it is best to be open with your boss. The treatment you are experiencing is not consistant with the past relationship you have had. It may help for you to have a "rehearsal" conversation and go over several possible conversations and your reactions. Make a list of your concerns and what your answers would be to any of the issues raised in this forum.
My brother and his family are "secret shoppers." They pick what they will do when. This may be something you could do even if your boss ups your hours.
Paying for your success,
Malka

Thank you all for your empathy and thoughtful replies.
Anne-Marie---LOL the airport-hand lotion gig sounds pretty good!!
Malka--I like the secret shopper idea!

What transpired today at the restaurant was Mr. Boss pulled me and a co-worker aside wanting to know what our future intentions were with the restaurant. Were we moving on, or sticking around for a few more years?( almost everyone at the restaurant is a long-term employee) They had plans, and wanted to know who the could rely on. So of course, with the subject being broached I jumped in with "What are your intentions regarding me?" Mr. Boss got indignent that I should even have to ask, and I described what I thought was going on. He called Mrs. Boss over and we had a sit down and I expressed how I felt, and that yes, I was looking at other restaurants since I was only working 2 shifts. I feel as though we worked some things out and I can expect more shifts, they will work around my doctor appointments and are going to let the new girl go. I feel much better now after the airing out session, and Mrs. Boss realizes I know she was discouraging extra hours for me--she has changed her tune.

The 64 dollar question here is that he IS keeping you on, although reduced hours and paying your health benefits. You have a pre-existing condition and can "COBRA" out to about 36 months (and it can be expensive). Technically with only 2 shifts you are part time and not eligible for health insurance coverage in many states. If it were me I would tread very lightly here. There could be other factors that are beyond your control - maybe it awakened his own sense of mortality and it scares him. Scheduling shifts in restaurants is also a tough part of the business. You will have to prove yourself, lip service may not be enough.

It took several years before I felt like a true survivor and people treated me like one. Instead of endlessly asking me "How ARE you?".

I would be careful about alienating customers, or even talking about your cancer experience. Look at the things that you have and put less emphasis on the things you don't have. Restaurants are ALWAYS looking for waitstaff you can get a few shifts somewhere else if need be.

How does anybody know that you have HPV? The CDC states it is a sexually transmitted disease so what would the danger be to customers in a normal working environment?

I have HCV myself and it hasn't stopped any opportunities for me.