Hi
Returned to work part time 3 weeks ago. Unfortunatly caught a tummy bug and was off Mon and Tuesday this week. Monday was to have been my first full day back, Tuesday I was just meant to be working in the morning. Said I would do full time next week as its the last week before the school holidays- Im a nursery nurse. I love my job and have missed it for the last year. Did a full day yesterday and today and am exhausted. Am struggling to cope with the physical side of my job and am wondering if any of you who have had a bi-lateral masectomy have found returning to work as challenging? Does it get easier? I am feeling quite down about it as I didnt think it would be as tiring. Am attending a chiropracter who is working on the back which is giving me a lot of bother. He tells me the other muscles in my back are compensating for the loss of the large ones which were used to reconstruct my new boobs. I am now wondering if I should be looking at working part time or will things get better? Everyone at work is very supportive. Feel like a bit of a moan but I guess I thought it would be easier returning to the routine. At least the weekend is here and I can have two days rest. Love to you all Jules x
FormerMember
I have no experience of this,
but would like to offer my support. I would imagine part time would be beneficial to re-introduce you gently into the physical side of things.
Emotionally I have struggled of late, and I have 2 or 3 extra breaks scheduled into my day so I can take it easier... I'm not even a patient, I'm a relative.
Don't be hard on yourself... Look after yourslef, and take your time to get back into things.
Hi Jules, i had uni not bilateral. It took me a while to adjust to being back at work, phased return, 2 x 5 hour shifts first week, then increased gradually over 4 weeks. Maybe your bug earlier in the week will be contributing to the way you feel just now? I expected to get on better than i did to start with, i was exhausted, especially trying to concentrate for long periods at a time, i'm a nurse as well. Give yourself plenty of time to get back into the swing of things at work, maybe your manager would let you work reduced hours for a little while then go back to full time. Enjoy your days off.
I myself returned to work a couple of months ago following a mastectomy and, although I only work part time and my place of work allowed a phased return to work, I still found it difficult and very tiring.
It is only during the past week I have begun to feel my old self again although I still have days when I tire easily but I am finding things get better as time goes on.
I am sure that if you give yourself more time and ease yourself back into work gradually you will find things will become easier as returning to work is all part of getting your life back.
Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. After an emotional night last night when I had a good cry on my poor hubbys shoulder I have decided to talk to my head teacher on Monday and discuss working mornings only this last week. I dont want to end up ill for the summer hols and if there is one thing I should have learnt over the last year it is that there is more important things in life than work. I can only hope that eventually things will get back on par , guess I just have to be patient for a little longer.Love Jules x
