I have been diagnosed fairly recently with ER+ her2- grade 2 BC. I have just been told that surgery will be first step of my treatment. currently looking like lumpectomy + hormone treatment + radio therapy (although as I am under 40 have been advised by my surgeon to wait on genetic test results to confirm surgery plans)
I had some time off work after diagnosis, just to get my head around everything and attend appointments. I’ve gone back now while waiting for the gene test results. I have a really supportive employer and manager who are being really flexible around appointments etc
My question is: for those who had a similar path of lumpectomy/ radiotherapy / hormone treatment, how long did you take off work for surgery and treatment? Trying to plan ahead but have no idea (and also aware that things can change based on further testing post surgery)
I took most time off between diagnosis and surgery as there were other things which came up and further tests and delays which made it impossible to focus. After surgery I had a two week sick note. I probably could have managed fine after a week but I do work from home so there’s nothing physical involved.
I was signed off for 3 weeks following my surgery, then I took 3 days off after my 3 weeks radiotherapy. I have a job where I can WFH so I didn’t need much time off.
Hi cloudyday1, hope you are doing well. After initial diagnosis, I was given all the time I needed for appointments, but worked as normal until surgery. My surgeon signed me off for 3 weeks until my follow up. My boss put me on light duties until my radiotherapy completed. I could have then went back to full duties.
Hope that helps x
Hi @cloudyday1 - it’s a lot to take in isn’t it and tbh the question of time off is always a “how long is a piece of string one “ in terms of … it’s really down to how you feel . How you are recovering and the type of job you do x
I hope you have lots of support while you’ve come to terms with your diagnosis , for me getting my head round this was the most emotionally exhausting bit
I finished chemo in Feb and am now having Herceptin . I had a single mastectomy in September last year …
It’s slightly different for me in that I’m self employed so after diagnosis , I carried on working as I just wanted done sense of normality … I worked until the week before my surgery then shut myself away to avoid getting any bugs that would cancel my surgery . I couldn’t work for six weeks as my job is very physical (I work in events ) . But did a couple of bookings before I started chemotherapy in Nov . I then did not go out on bookings until last month due to feeling fairly rubbish and also infection risk . In an ideal world I’d still be off work if I’m honest but being self employed needed to be back at work for my business sake
I work in supermarket retail, on my feet 8 hour shifts, handling heavy stock, dealing with customers (some are horrible), management next to useless, having to be always ‘on’ & thinking on my feet. I’ve been off since diagnosis & won’t return until I finish treatment, whenever that may be. I’m luckily I can manage financially to be able to do this I know. My attitude is they don’t deserve me & my time is too precious. If you work for the same supermarket you might understand Whether I go back after all this or do something else remains to be seen.
You’ve got to do what’s best for you. You’re replaceable at work but not in your life.
@cloudyday1 I’ve a very similar diagnosis to you. I had lumpectomy last Friday. I’d read a lot of people on here saying they went back after two weeks. My surgeon has signed me off for two weeks. My BCN said 4-6 weeks. The physio nurse said 3 months. Now I’m none the wiser I get climbed on by small autistic children for a living at the moment, and although I’m not in a lot of pain and discomfort right now I currently can’t imagine going near them anytime soon! I’m sorry I’m not sure that’s a helpful answer, but as said above it’s so individual and very dependant on your job. If you can avoid it just don’t go back too fast xxx
I was diagnosed in February and had a lumpectomy and some lymph nodes removed at the end of March and I was signed off for 4 weeks after my procedure and went back after that. I am doing phased in for a month and I’m seeing the radiotherapy team and oncologist for next steps tomorrow. I have been told I will need 5 session radiotherapy and I am going to try and work in between sessions from home. I was wondering whether I went back too soon and speaking to my hr director today she did say she wondered if I came back too soon but I feel fine apart from tired and for me personally I find i prefer to have something else to focus on and not keep thinking about my diagnosis. I was extremely tired the first week I went back to work as I work in London and have about an hour’s train journey and I was extremely busy. I think it depends on the individual and also work unfortunately some people don’t have emphatic managers or companies although I read if you have been diagnosed with cancer you are covered by The Equality Act 2010 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 prevent discrimination based on cancer, ensuring individuals are not treated less favourably than those without cancer. I work for the nhs so they are very supportive and ensure I’m not taking too much on and keep telling me to be kind to myself and ensure I take time to recover and listen to my body.
I worked until surgery, it kept my mind occupied. My surgeon signed me off 3 months initially, saying “a minimum”. I had first lumpectomy, and although I was quite good after two weeks, I wasn’t right. Then I needed a cavity, so another delay, started hormone therapy and also radiotherapy delayed. I was signed off for 6 months, but I did a little bit of work in between. My employer has been excellent, and I work when I can now. It’s mostly full days now, but sometimes I’m too tired by afternoon. I’ve just had another BC related scare, and im struggling to focus on work again. For me it was as much mental challenge as opposed to physical.
I hope you have understanding employer, who wants to help. But really, you need to go with your instincts when you feel it is right. x
I just took the 6 weeks off after surgery, started a phased return to work then found out I was going to be having chemo. I did sort of work around the chemo, as and when I could but I think in hind sight I would have been better off taking all the chemo time off. I had 20 sessions of radiotherapy which meant, I took four full weeks off for radiotherapy as would have been too awkward to arrange work around it. I was actually quite annoyed that I never really got a clear plan. My work were extremely good and I felt bad, I couldn’t tell them what was coming up. I would probably wait until radiotherapy is finished before thinking of going back to work. Good luck
I had 6 months off to get my head around everything , it didnt hit me at first because everything happened so quickly , scans , biopsies, surgery , radiotherapy and now 5 years of Letrozole. It really hit me once everything was done and i got the all clear . Good luck and dont worry about work .
Arty1 
