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Posted on: Jan 1, 2012 04:08PM
Rosie24355 wrote:
Brand new member today. I was diagnosed about 4 weeks ago with IDC. They were going to do a lumpectomy but I'm not a candidate for radiation so am going with a single mastectomy. My surgery is tentatively scheduled for Friday Jan 20 going home the next day. I am self employed with a home based Internet sales business so I do nearly all my work on the computer at home. Is it unreasonable to hope to be able to work on Monday following surgery? Thanks in advance for any input and your experiences.
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Jan 1, 2012 04:11PM puce wrote:
It depends...are you just having a mastectomy and no reconstruction? What did the doctors say?
Jan 1, 2012 04:11PM ma111 wrote:
Until the drains are out you will probably be on narcotics. Can you work on them?
Jan 1, 2012 04:12PM puce wrote:
Also are you having any nodes taken out?
Jan 1, 2012 04:35PM J9W wrote:
Hi Rosie, I was working on my computer a week after my mastectomy. However, it was for only a few hours a day but broken up quite a bit. I was surprised how tired I was. I had to take pain meds so didn't work the first few days - but I don't like any meds so after 5 days at home I was on motrin instead. Good luck with your surgery.
Jan 1, 2012 04:40PM encoremom wrote:
I worked from home about a week after my mastectomy and like J9W, broke it up in short time periods. I didn't work sooner but it was more because I was tired (I think from the surgery and anesthesia) than from the pain. I wouldn't rush into working but ease into it when you feel you are ready. Best wishes.
Jan 1, 2012 04:48PM Rosie24355 wrote:
Thanks for all the quick replys! They are planning to put in a tissue expander. They'll check the sentinel node during surgery and decide then whether or not to take nodes. I usually have a pretty high pain tolerence and really dislike pain meds. Never having gone through anything like this before I don't know how much pain I'll be in. I keep thinking goofy things like, "I don't have time to be sick!"
Jan 2, 2012 05:08AM ma111 wrote:
Nobody really has time to be sick or plans to be knocked down so hard as cancer treatment can lead to. However, I think that with you working on computers at home you have a good chance to stay financially on top of things.
Don't try being a hero, take pain meds when you need them. When people offer help, let them! Let them cook some meals or clean. It makes them feel better that they are helping. That is one mistake I made is not letting people help. Then I was cranky with my teenage daughter that the house and.or yard were not cared for.
Jan 3, 2012 08:29PM Myleftboob wrote:
I had MX on December 14. I too mostly work from and and thankfully it is my slowest time of year BUT then it was also holiday time. Your going to need a couple of days to really rest, take the meds. Your diagnosis is really similar too. Happy Note, just got word that my margins are really clear and nothing in the nodes!! I've been only now OCT and am healing very well. MAKE SURE and elevate your arm ALOT. No one told me this!!! It feels like a pinched nerve if you don't. Stay positive and this site is loaded with information. Best of luck to you!
Jan 4, 2012 09:24PM gutsy wrote:
I went back to work 3 weeks after surgery. Pretty much worked through chemo, took the day of the infusion off. I would walk 1 hour to chemo and than walk home after treatment. Someone even called me a role model. Yes Right. Do, I recommend it, Hell No. I think with a cancer diagnosis, one needs to grieve the associated losses. It is the emotional healing that takes a lot more time than the physical healing.
If you work for yourself it is a bit different. You can certainly do some work but cut yourself some slack.
Jan 8, 2012 10:00PM Rosie24355 wrote:
Thanks for the advice. Good to know about elevating your arm. Reading some of the other threads I see if you don't take it slow enough your drains stay in longer. I think I need to work some 16 hour days now so I can feel ok about taking some more days off.
You are all such an encouragement!
Jan 8, 2012 10:23PM giddles wrote:
I had surgery on November 1 and went back to work December 1. I do alot of driving, but the doctor felt that I was able as long as I took it slowly.
Jan 9, 2012 01:11AM SheChirple wrote:
Careful, Rosie. I had BMX with TEs implanted. I planned 3 wks off. I started working on-line and just doing my email and computer work. I over did it, had to have a stitch redone. Really just wore myself out. They had to leave my drains in because so much drainage, due to overuse. So, for best results DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.
Once the drains are out, you are still going to take it easy. I did go back to work w/in a week of drains coming out, but it was 5 wks post op.
Good luck to you. DO NOTHING AT ALL for that first week or two and hope for the best.
Jan 9, 2012 01:20AM Momine wrote:
I was tapping away on my computer in the hospital, a few hours after coming out of recovery. HOWEVER, those drains get old real fast, although with any luck you will just have one (I had 4). It can also be hard to sleep, because of the bandages, drains and general discomfort.
So, go easy on yourself. I am sure you can get some work done, but expect to take many breaks. Make sure to take your pain meds and make sure to rest. It is major surgery and it throws your system for a loop.
Jan 11, 2012 12:30AM Hindsfeet wrote:
I thought I would bounce back quickly because I did with the lumpectomies. I had a uni (just one breast removed), I had no idea even with a uni how much recovery time it would take. Maybe the reason, I'm having drain problems...past the two week mark is because I'm on my laptop a lot. The first week, I slept more than I did anything else. I'm taking less pain pills right now, but my goal is to get the drain thing out because I heard today that is whats causing my nerve pain. I have to go to work Thursday so I'm hoping for better or worse I'll do ok...just not lift, and make sure I take time outs. After two weeks I spent the day out today and couldn't believe how tired I got.
Jan 11, 2012 12:52AM Linda1966 wrote:
I wouldnt put yourself under the stress to be on a schedule to get back to work on the Monday Rosie. While I found the op itself not particularly painful, its still a huge shock to the system and only rest and following the instructions given to you by the nurse about exercises (if nodes are taken) will aid your recovery. After 2 or 3 nights in hospital you will be very tired when you get home. Doing too much too soon may slow down your recovery and drain removal and I believe the others would agree that getting the drain out asap becomes a high priority. .
If you absolutely have to work on the computer, can you make it a lappy and just lie back in a recliner and work in short intervals?
Dec 30, 2021 05:23AM - edited Dec 31, 2021 02:56AM by JGore
Dec 30, 2021 08:21AM - edited Dec 30, 2021 08:24AM by exbrnxgrl
JGore,
This thread has been inactive for almost 10 years. You could start a new thread or find an active thread. Take care.
Here is a lumpectomy thread that you might find helpful:
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topics/800729?page=945#post_5724848
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