Time off work

Hi BikerKa

It may be worth giving the Support Line a quick call and talking to one of the nurses. The Support Line is there from 8am-8pm daily. 

I had keyhole surgery for my own cancer (endometrial) and I would not have been anywhere considering going back until at least 6 weeks post op. There is also the post op pathology report to consider- mine came back at around 3 1/2 weeks post op and indicated an unexpected need for further treatment. 

I would imagine that your work is pretty active and full on and you may need a bit longer. 

Jane

As a retired secondary teacher, I think that you would need longer. Healing needs to take place both external and internal. I would have asked my consultant or assigned nurse. Best wishes. 

Thanks, I have my pre admission assessment this Friday so I will ask them then. I'm a supply teacher and so no work means no pay, I'm really worried about it.

I found I was very tired, as my body repaired itself I suppose. Also some people seem to experience greater pain for a longer time during recovery but I guess it also depends on how active you are as a teacher. You probably wouldn’t want to be bending down and on your feet constantly and might feel nervous about being bumped in crowded corridors. Make sure the doctor understands the physical nature of your work in order to get a fair assessment. I understand about the pay though. Hope all goes well for you. 

I took 7 weeks after my hysterectomy for endometrial, and 6 weeks after my partial nephrectomy - both were keyhole and the latter was robotic. When they say that healing is quicker with keyhole, they mean the external healing. With smaller incisions, the wounds should heal a lot quicker than with huge incisions. However, they still have to reach the same spots even with keyhole, so the muscle they cut through, and the actual organ, is similar regardless of whether it's keyhole or open. The external healing, and much of the internal healing, is well underway within 6 weeks with keyhole but can take up to 12 weeks with open. One week is way too short. If you were sat at a desk, two weeks might be the minimum advisable. 

I work a very physical job. I couldn't have envisaged working much before at least 4 weeks as I was afraid to lift anything heavier than two bags of sugar, afraid to climb the stepladder to reach the shelves, and in fact the driving advisory was 2-6 weeks and I waited until over 4 weeks before I opted to try a short drive. You can't see how you are healing internally, so rest and relaxation, with gentle walking, is by far the best plan.

I totally understand the finances situation. I work for minimum wage but am entitled to SSP which is less than half of what I earn but it's better than nothing. I think there is a forum on here that can give advice on finances, and any help you could apply for. If you earn a minimum amount (which is a lot less than the min wage) or work a certain number of hours (it might be either, or both - I forget offhand) you are entitled to SSP. If you are classed as self-employed, I think the situation is different however. (When I was supply teaching years ago, I was employed by an agency so not self-employed). 

Even if you have to borrow off family and friends, it's not worth trying to get back to work before your healing is under way - you may feel fine but going back too soon could cause you setbacks, as it's not just how the incisions heal, but what is going on inside you. 

I will try and find the forum link to financial situations...

Try the Practical Issues Forum: Practical issues forum - Macmillan Online Community