how long off work after lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy

Hi Nursenala welcome to the forum and glad that at least the surgery is past for you. Its a bit of an individual thing which I imagine is not of much use in response to your question. 

2 weeks post surgery is a bit early I think to be considering a job where it is physical as you are still healing from the op and this can take some time to get back to any degree of normality for you to be able to do your job.

Does your company have any policy on how much sick leave you are allowed? If it was me I would take as much as you can as you will be tired and dependant on the outcome of the pathology from those lumps and lymph nodes will determine the treatment plan for you.

Maye when you have that treatment plan you might be in a better position to know what kind of treatment you will need and the timeframes for this. Dont underestimate what your body has been through and may still have to go through with treatment.

Take it easy while you can and if you need more time off than is ok for your company please give Macmillan Line a call as there are special rules governing people in the workplace and Cancer. 08088080000.

Sending some huge big gentle hugs for now. xxxxx 

Hi Granny59,

Thanks for your quick reply and for the hugs! I think I am fine for sick leave luckily, and I am coming round to the notion of taking plenty of time rather than the bare minimum. I am the 'carry on regardless' type who never takes time off so it's a new experience, actually recognising that I should put myself first. And my team at work have coped fine over the last 2 weeks so there's no reason to hurry back. 

You're so right about the treatment plan, I'm really impatient to get the details and dates. At the follow up appointment with the surgeon last week the original diagnosis from the initial biopsy was confirmed, and sentinel lymph nodes were thankfully negative, so it seems I'll have radiotherapy and hormone treatment. But that was all that was said, it's now a wait to hear when I'll see the oncologist, and from then, dates and which hormone treatment I'll be offered. It kind of feels as if it's all lost its momentum, I want that plan!

I haven't been able to see my GP yet re extending my sick note, the surgery was a doctor down on friday so only seeing emergencies, but I'll follow it up tomorrow. I found an old thread on this site re going back to work but haven't been able to find it again so thought I'd start this one and get some advice.

Thanks and hugs! xxx

Hello:)I had lumpectomy and radio last year and i am working as a senior care assistant so it involved loads of physical moving and handling.I was off sick for 8 weeks.Thats what my surgeon told me to avoid any heavy lifting for 8 weeks and i reduced my full time hours only for 15 hrs per week and only for weekends because i was having radio from Mon-Fr.I know the sick pay was rubbish but I didn't want to risk anything.I went back full time in January thia year but now i will reduce my hrs again because I just found out not long time ago that i am pregnant.

Take so much time off how much you need.

Wish all the best

Denisa

Hi HappyFeet1 

I was in exactly the same position as you are 7 months ago....my job involves a lot of lifting, heavy handling and moving pallets, I was initially going to take 6-8 weeks off but I didn’t feel mentally ready to go back so ended up staying off almost 5 months (about 5 weeks after RT had finished) & then went back on a phase return. I’ve now been back full time for 3 weeks. 

I struggle to be selfish & felt guilty for being off work when I felt ok, but you do have to take time for yourself. Although RT is nowhere near as bad as Chemo it’s can still leave you feeling really tired. 

Take some you time :) 

Bug Hugs

Julie xx

Hi Denisa, thanks this is what I need to hear! Makes me feel much better, I do not want to put myself at risk. And congratulations on your pregnancy, what lovely news to hear. NNxx

Hi XJulieX, 

Thank you I am beginning to think that I really don't want to go back till I have had my radiotherapy, but will take each week as it comes - like you I find it really hard to put myself first. 

It helps so much to hear from you and Denisa, it's been a real surprise to me that I would need more time than I originally thought.

Thanks and hugs xx

Hi HappyFeet1

I too had lumpectomy, SNB & 3 weeks radiotherapy this year over the summer.  Now 5 months into a 10 year tamoxifen journey.

I took around 3 weeks off work after the op  but I am incredibly lucky to have an amazing, flexible employer / job (part time and can work from home sometimes).  

During RT I predominantly worked from home.  However. If I hadn’t been able to do so I would very definitely have struggled to maintain working throughout the whole thing, I found it exhausting - although I didn’t realise how much it took it out of me until a while later. 

In fact, this week will be the first week that I will work my usual 5 (short) days in the office (and I don’t have a manual job lol!!) since my op in mid-May.

So, please don’t underestimate the time needed for your  recovery, listen to your body and take whatever time you need fully recuperate. 

The very best of luck to you.  

Clare 

This is me. So glad you asked questiond my surgery on 27th and already worrying about work and how soon after I can go back.good luck with it all x

Thanks HClare, it's so helpful to hear this, I don't know where I got the idea that I'd whizz back in after 2 weeks. I think I googled (dangerous) 'recovery after lumpectomy' and something popped up saying 2 weeks. Also, I had a lumpectomy 13 years ago to remove what turned out to be a fibroadenoma and I did recover very quickly, particularly after I got the results and knew it was benign! But this time around is of course completely different and I think I naively just didn't stop to think about how very different - lumpectomy and wide local excision and sentinel node biopsy, all far more invasive than a straightforward lumpectomy. Add the worry about effects of further treatment and the coming to terms with having cancer - totally different ball game. 

Anyway I'm so grateful for the replies and encouragement, I've also had 2 lovely emails from managers at work (I am a special needs teacher, hence the moving and handling aspects of my job) completely supporting further time at home.

NNxx

Hi Charlie95

Thank you, the whole process is a funny mixture of sometimes a somewhat overwhelming amount of information and other times not nearly enough. Thank goodness I have found my way here. Good luck on the 27th, the wait is horrible. Apart from working, I used the time to track down a couple of front opening bras and a crop top for at night, all of which have been invaluable. I found the surgery surprisingly untraumatic and it felt like a real achievement to have it over and done with. 

Will be thinking of you on the 27th. xx