Lumpectomy.

Hi Lush, sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I had a lumpectomy too and also axillary clearance just over 2 weeks later. As mine was on my left side I found driving difficult and I didn’t return to work until after I had started chemo cycle 3. So for me it was about 4 months. However everyone is different and I had to have 2 ops. I found the chemo tiring too and kept a diary so I would know for each cycle how I would feel. Again everyone is different and there will be others here who can share their experiences on when they found they were able to return to work. If you click on my name you can read my journey so far. 
Wishing you all the best for your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi,  I had a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy 23/3,  I went back to work last week after the bank hols.  So I just had the 2 weeks sicknote given by the hospital.

It does help that I can work from home, although I did go in one day - that evening I was shattered.

Physically I'm feeling fine but I do get tired easily at the moment.   I've not experienced any pain to speak of.

Hi, glad to hear you're are feeling no pain. I too started working from home after 2 weeks after the same procedure.  Found I was exhausted and emotional at the end of the day. Decided for my own mental health I needed 6 weeks off just to look after myself. Good luck with your journey.  Be kind to yourself xxx

I'm a lazy sod   My surgery was 8 years ago and I was off work from biopsy till after radiotherapy so 5 months.  Physically I was fine aside from fatigue but mentally I needed space from a busy office and job that needed me to be mentally alert.  I worked public sector so had luxury of 6 months full sick pay .  

Wow I'm still off 8 weeks in as had to have axillary node clearance.  Can't even think about work at the moment,  haven't got the mental capacity for my stressful job. Unfortunately on SSP as company doesn't pay sick. Still think my mental well being is more important. Still got radiotherapy to deal with.

Thank you everyone for your replies.  I understand everyone is different  and maybe I'm thinking to far ahead.  I work in a Day nusery  so just worried how it will effect me.  I'm tired now at the end of the day without having any surgery.

I had mine and SNB and I took a week off work and that was okay for me, I found the SNB worse than the lumpectomy - my underarm was tender and sore and limted movement but boob area was fine (it was cleavage area so perhaps thats why). I am about to start cycle 3 of chemo and still working, I take the chemo day off and just rest when my body tells me to. Everyone is different and will recovery differently. You'll be fine, just don't put pressure on yourself and take each day as it comes. xx

You can do benefits check with MacMillan.  Also you maybe entitled to pip after 3 months.  Have a read of this. 

 RE: PIP claim with breast cancer