Reconstruction & time off work.
Hi, hopefully someone out there can tell me their experiences with taking time off work for reconstruction.
I had a right mastectomy in March 13 and because I didn't need chemo or radiation I was able to put my name on the list for reconstruction with Dr. Ajmel in Beaumont Hosp. I was finally called for my surgery in Jan 14 but they cancelled on me just days before.
I wasn't called again until May but by then I had started a new job, which I love, and as I had only been there 8 weeks I really felt that I couldn't leave work, so I passed, which meant I was off the list.
I'm in the job a year now and I really want to put my name back on the list for the surgery as I feel I won't really be me until I get this finished. Loosing my breast has really hurt my self esteem. The company I work for are fantastic, but they don't know about my cancer and I don't know how to broach the subject of needing 6-8 weeks off for surgery. My job is quite specialised and I'm the only one in the company that does it so it wouldn't be as easy as someone else stepping into my place for a couple months.
Can anyone tell me how they juggled work and surgery?
My husbands work isn't steady so we really need my job and and jobs in my field don't come come up very often so leaving this job and hoping to pick up another isn't really feasible either.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thx.
Comments
Hi Aniq
I had my reconstruction at the same time as having the mastectomy; I recovered extremely well but I put that down to not acting the mick and doing my Physio but I was a good 6 weeks out of action, but I was still out of work as was going through treatment so wasn't pushing myself even after those 6 weeks.
I had to go back for a second round of surgery when I had encapsulation and build up of scar tissue so I was out for a good six weeks then also but maybe because I had been through the experience before, I found it even easier second time around.
I don't know if this has been any good to you - best of luck with it all x
Hi Aniq
I had diep with Ajmal in Beaumount in January, I'm guessing that's what you're having too? I haven't gone back to work yet so have taken it pretty easy for the last 10 weeks. I've been fine and back to normal for the last 3/4 weeks I'd say but I was wrecked and couldn't do much for at least 4 weeks post op. I had no healing issues or complications and it wasn't until about wk5 that I felt I was getting back to normal. I'd advise taking at least 6 weeks off work so you're not stressing and pushing yourself too much to get back to it.
Good luck with the op.
P
You don't say what type of recon you are having. I had lat dorsi. I was out of work for 7 weeks. My BC was on my left side so no driving for 6 weeks which was a PITA. Can you do some work from home? If so you might be able to do a few hours after week 3. What got me was lack of sleep - found it hard to get comfy so only slept for a few hours at a time.
If you are having a DIEP or something way more invasive, you would definitely be out for 6 weeks.
I had my ops in Beaumont under Prof Kneaf..... Had great care there dispite the bad press the hospital sometimes gets!
Good luck.
Lindylu