How Long Off Work? Lumpectomy & Radiotherapy

It’ll be hard for them to say as it depends how surgery goes, how long you’ll need radio and whether you need chemo. 

I was the other way round chemo surgery radio and more chemo. I was off for 49 weeks with my treatment plan but I don’t see you off for that length of time. 

it depends when they can get you in for things and how long the waits are. Mine has been bash bash bash since being diagnoised however there was a wait for surgery as I needed 3 surgeons! 

good luck xx

Hi Rarah58b9b8 , it’s really difficult to generalise as we’re all different and so is the surgery. Some lumps are deeper, more difficult to access, position seems to matter too. And then there’s the job! Some are home based, office based, mostly sitting, while others are physically demanding and can’t be done at home. Etc, etc. But I’m very happy to share my experience. 
I thought id be off for a couple of weeks but ended up signed off for 4 months! My op was, I think, similar to yours. I fully expected to bounce back to work until my radiotherapy then potentially work during the treatment, as some people do. But I was a special needs teacher, very physically (and mentally) demanding. And my incision was a lot bigger than I’d expected - I’d had a lumpectomy previously for a fibroadenoma (benign), had a little incision which healed very quickly, and was back at work within a week. This time, though, one long incision was used to access both the beast and my sentinel nodes. It did heal well but definitely took so much longer. My radiotherapy started 10 weeks after my op, again longer than I’d expected. The consultant radiologist advised me to stay off till 4 weeks after rads finished (3 weeks of rads was the norm back then in 2019). So a total of 4 months. I was very lucky that my school was very supportive. 
So that very long ramble - sorry! - is to say that it really does depend on lots of factors. I’d prepare your employers for a potentially significant time off and that you’ll keep them informed as things move forward. Great that they are supportive. 
Love and hugs, HFxx

Hi, I was off for about 3 months following my initial surgery, but I had to have a 2nd to get clear margins, so that made recovery time longer.  I worked throughout my 5 sessions of radiotherapy, although I was very fatigued towards the end of them and still am a bit 4 weeks later ( but it is much less so and improving by the day).  It is helped by the fact that I work remotely from home, and I had 2 weeks of shorter hours when I first went back.

Thank you for your response.   That does sound like a long time, hope you're recovering well.  I imagine this is why the medical team seem reluctant to discuss timescales, due to everyone being different. x

Thank you.   It's really hard to imagine at this stage when I feel so healthy and well.   Hope you're feeling more energised soon xx

Thank you.   That's really helpful to know.   I feel a bit lost in it all at the moment.   There seems to be no certainty.  xx

Thank you, I am absolutely fine, just a tad tired, but almost there.  Hope all goes well for you x

Hi Rarah58b9b8 

In contrast to others I didn't have much time off at all.  I didn't need chemo.  I had 80mm removed due to an IDC and 2 areas of DCIS.  I had the operation late afternoon Wednesday.

I am a self employed silversmith and also work part time at an office Monday - Wednesday for 16 hours.

I was back working in my studio at home on the Friday and by Monday (despite my boss agreeing to pay for taxis whilst I needed it), I was driving by Sunday  - probably shouldn't have as the seatbelt went over my breast - I drove myself to work on Monday. 

When I had radiotherapy, as this appointment was in the afternoon, I just didn't work for myself on Mon - Weds.  I was able to drive the 60 miles there and back to radiotherapy for 15 sessions and felt fine - no fatigue.  1'm 100% convinced the amount of fluid I drank made a huge difference as they tell you to drink lots and as I already do, I upped it  and found I had no difference in my energy whatsoever.  2 other ladies I went at the same time with didn't drink much and suffered really badly with fatigue.

As others have said, it's just going to be a case of how you feel.   Get yourself prepared to be off for a while and if you feel up to it, then go to work.  I found it helped me mentally to feel more 'normal' rather than thinking about having cancer all the time.

Good luck with your treatment and fingers crossed that you don't need chemo.

Kindest wishes, Lesley

I didnt take much time off either. I work from home and I was fine after my surgery, was out walking the dog the next morning. BUT everyone is different. I am lucky as in I work from home so I was able to get back to it practically straight away, just taking a few more breaks then I normally would.

I had surgery 4 June and started my radiotherapy 18thAugust. Thankfully I didn’t need any other surgery as they got clear margins 1st time and no lymph node involvement. Had 6 radiotherapy sessions now and got 3 more this week then done. Initially felt fine but it hit me Saturday. I was so tired I could barely walk. Had easy day and went bed early and I felt better Sunday, even better yesterday, when I felt practically back to normal. Stared day 6 of 9 sessions this morning and so far so good. 
Just let your body guide you, it will let you know when you are doing too much or you need to rest x

Everyone is different. Everyone’s time scale is very much different. There is no one time frame. Depends how you react to things and recovery time off things. 

Yes in a much better place than last year thank you. I had TNBC whereas yours sounds hormone related - mine wasn’t. 

Hope your treatment isn’t as long as is done as dusted as quick as it can be! Good luck! 

I live in the north west and treatment has been tip top - me and chemo nurses and like friends now I’ve been that much ha!xx