1 week since surgery

Former Member
Former Member
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Hi

just another sleepless night so thought I'd join!

1 week today since lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy 

feeling sore , tired , emotional, like I should be starting to feel better and I don't.....

reading too much that makes me think I should be literally back at work in a week or so - it's definitely not looking that way at the moment..

hoping to get some support from people who know x

  • Hi

    I am 10 days post surgery and have the opposite problem in that I feel well enough to go back to work and feel guilty to have the time off. My consultant told me to take 2-3 months assuming it’s still surgery then radiotherapy as he said you can’t underestimate the emotional impact and you need to focus on your well being. I appreciate I am lucky to have an employer that is supporting this and on full pay but I would say if you can afford to take the time take it. A few weeks to an employer is neither here nor there but could make a massive difference to you. My employer also told me it was easier to plan for me having the whole time off than for me to come to work when I felt up to it. I guess that also depends on the job you do.

  • Former Member
    Former Member in reply to Former Member

    Totally agree with what you're saying- I'm almost bored of talking about it!! I'm not a natural at being sick so it's painful!! Almost feel like I'm not taking it seriously enough sometimes!

  • I had lumpectomy and radiotherapy. Radiotherapy finished 5 weeks ago and in total have had 3 months off. Went back to work today for a few hours and am absolutely shattered. Don’t know if I’m going to be able to keep it up. 
    Please listen to your body as my head wanted to go back to work but the fatigue is telling my body I’m not ready !  The work will still be there when you do eventually go back but you need to take care of yourself 

    best wishes x

  • Former Member
    Former Member in reply to Rose15b

    Hi you're right of course 

    I definitely need to slow down and listen to my body as I'm tired a lot of the time and am having little naps which is totally new to me! Only had 2 weeks off work so far and radiotherapy will be starting in the not distant future so I need to be patient!

  • Former Member
    Former Member in reply to Former Member

    Not sure if this is right thread now -apols if not, It has not been brilliant day. The lymph nodes were clear so hasn't spread but the extra dot I mentioned above has been pinpointed as also cancerous, as well as the original tumour and the surgeon (who is absolutely lovely - not being sarcastic - she really has been so caring and kind),  has  given me two options (neither terminal or involving chemo) but I am either going to have an MRI and more surgery with the hope of getting any lingering so far undetected cancer cells out. However if it is still not clear giving clear margins, they will have to do a mastectomy.
    The other alternative which I am inclining to, is go immediately to the full mastectomy of the left breast with reconstruction (either leave flat, put in an implant or use my tummy tissue to rebuild). It is all crap to be honest and I am veering between total despair and philosophical.
    Sigh - the silver lining is that when I lose the breast (assuming I do go for the mastectomy) is that I won't need radiotherapy after all.....It is all rubbish though! 
    I have been signed off by the surgeon for another 2 weeks (to 9 May) and obviously will need more time when they do the surger(ies). Slightly annoyingly all the procedures and clinics are on Wednesdays ( my busiest day at work) but the surgeon said if I feel upto it,  I can do some work -