Hi
I had my lumpectomy 4 weeks ago. Waiting to see the Oncologist and for Oncotype dx result. I’m feeling fine but I don’t know whether to go back to work or not .
I work in a school so any return to work will involve occupational health. I don’t think it is easy as just rocking up back to work. I’m definitely going to be having radiotherapy and possibly depending on the results ( and it needs to be a very high number to convince me Chemo). I won’t be able to to work during rads as it is over a 3 hour return journey each day. I don’t know whether to go back to work or just wait until it is all over. I get 6 months full pay from work and I’m about 4 months in as had 1 month off for broken ankles last Feb.
Also how long did you have to wait for oncologists appointments? My op was 4 weeks ago saw consultant for post op appointment last week. Received copy of referral letter from her to oncologist last week. I just want to get started so it can be over.
Do you have the ridiculous thing of if you’re off for one long spell it’s better than being off for more shorter spells? I know this is the case in the nhs…
Likely to be about 2 weeks to see the oncologist.
Hi - I had a right mastecomy on 24th Setember 2018 - as there was no node involvement I didnt need rads or chemo, but as I opted for immediate reconstruction I had a tissue expander one and had to go to the hospital weekly for about 8 weeks to have it ‘filled’, so decided to stay off while this was being done. I work for the Civil Service so get 6 months full pay and 6 months half pay as well. The doctor would have kept signing me off if I wanted but I returned to work on 15th January - so was off for about 3 and a half months - however I will need more time off when I have the next operation to exchange the implant to a silicone one - so I’m trying to ‘manage’ my time off - hoping not to get to the 6 month point where my salary is reduced by half.
When I went back to work it was a phased return so nothing too demanding, so I’ve found it OK to go back in between procedures. Work have been brilliant, I have to say.
If you feel ‘ready’ to go back and you want to try and not hit the 6 months trigger point to go down to half pay maybe your work could do a phased return and ‘light’ duties until you get your date for rads? Don’t go back if you don’t feel ready or if work won’t ‘accomodate’ you.
Good lucck, Helen. xxx