Double mastectomy and working as a police officer

Myroo11715

I had a double mastectomy a few months ago and I'm a police officer. I have to wear a bullet proof vest, gun belt, and stand on my feet for 12 hours or longer at one time. I'm concerned that I won't be able to perform my duties due to the double mastectomy. I have numbness, tingling, and high senseative in my chest area. I haven't had my TE exchange because my PS wants me to have my full range of motion back. I've been going to PT and working on the range of motion. I can't wear heavy clothing for long and that is the concern I have when it comes to wearing my vest and other equipment.

Are there any others that have similar problems? Any other police officers out there a that can help?

Thank you!!

AaronCook

My wife is just recently diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer. She was a martial arts instructor for many years. As I discussed with her about your condition, I already knew how hard your duties are, especially at this moment that you've had a double mastectomy. She's not frequently using any body armor for her work, but the uneasiness is just the same.

Myroo11715

Good luck to your wife! And thanks for the responding.

littleblueflowers

I'm not a police officer but I have similar concerns about my job as a wild land firefighter...of course I will be on light duty for a while but our packs are up to 45 lbs and we are always dirty....I will send good energy to you for healing...sorry I don't have any first hand knowledge yet to share...

Myroo11715

Thanks for the response. Good luck to you as well.

bluewater

I do not have an especially physical job and I am having problems already. I work in the health care field. No heavy lifting or heavy protective equipment but I move around all day. I had a partial mastectomy with a sentinel node biopsy 2 weeks ago. I thought I was healing well - no pain, minimal swelling. I tried to go back to work after 2 weeks of rest. First day - no problem. It actually felt goo to get back to work. Next day I "hit the wall" around 2 pm. The next morning , I started throwing up in the shower trying to get ready for work. Apparently, that 2 days of work was too much for me. I have not even started radiation treatment yet.

I need to work to pay my bills! I just started a new job in January so I don't have sick leave stored up. I haven't even been here 2 months when I got an abnormal mammogram. I am getting worried about how I will tolerate this treatment while working.

[BTW ladies - I am very impressed with your amazing jobs. Thank you for the hard work you do keeping everyone else safe!]

Did any one else have trouble getting back to work at 2 weeks? Any suggestions? I am resting alot, eating nutritious food, hydrating well. Everything I can think of! I am scared.

Moderators

Dear bluewater,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are sorry that your diagnosis brought you here but we are glad that you reached out to us on the discussion boards. Here is some information to read on our website about Working During Treatment. We hope this might help. We also notice that this particular thread has not had much activity in the past 2 months so you might want to start a new topic to generate some responses. Keep posting. Good Luck and let us know how it goes. The Mods

Jessi615

it's been a few months and I have the same question about returning to duty. I was wondering if you could share what you learned from your experience with time.I am LEO too.

Chloesmom

I have a physically demanding job and am on disability until I can get the strength and range to safely lift children. Will be off at least until 10 months posts surgery

Moderators

Dear Jessi615,

Welcome to the BCO community. We are so sorry for your diagnosis and the complications about returning to work. We hope that you will find support and information here in this community of others sharing similar paths. We hope that you will keep us posted and stay connected. The Mods

123JustMe

Hi Bluewater,

Maybe you need to look into disability until you are able to regain some strength and endurance. Maybe gradually increasing the time you work. I am sorry you are going through this. I too am new to this whole thing. {hug}

littleblueflowers

Hi jessi, I am not an LEO, but I have a physically demanding job. I had a double 3 months ago and am going thru chemo now. My experience with this is that this surgery is way more major than they lead you to beliece. I still need to see a physical therapist, and get that started. I am still on light duty. If you can give yourself time to heal, do it, for sure.

MizMimi

Hi Myroo11715!

How are you doing? I wish you would come back and update us soon. I am curious to see how you are recovering and if you are back to work yet.

Hope you are well!

ksusan

I had a double in February and the chest sensitivity is gradually reducing. Try a tighter undershirt if you can stand it. Might reduce friction.

Myroo11715

Hi,

I'm finally getting my exchange surgery this week!!! YAY! I've had a few set backs but as we all know just keep on pushing! I still have ALOT of chest sensitive, ROM is not good but I will heal from the exchange surgery and continue with PT and find my NEW normal and live life as best as I can. We all just have to stay POSITIVE and keep on moving forward!!!!