How soon can I go back to work?

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Celine
Celine Member Posts: 82
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I am going to have my surgery on 4/30/09 for bmx, snb and te reconstruction. I took 3 months of short term disability starting 4/30/09 and FMLA. However, boss thinks that 3 months is too long that I can go back to work maybe 4 - 6 week after surgery. FMLA protects me from losing my job. So I am thinking that I can still work while undergoing te at the same time.

I like to know how soon can you go back work and what your experience when you started working.

Thank you.

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited April 2009

    Do you have a physical job?

    I have a desk job and was back at work about a month after my mx/te. I was tired at first, but it was doable.

    Although your job is protected by FMLA in the current economy I would not get to sassy about taking the full disability time. You need to be at work reminding people why you are such a good employee.   There are a million little ways to get crowded out of a job while you are off and most of them are "legal".

    Can you return part-time at first? That will keep your face and contributions at work fresh in everyone's mind but give you a little leeway.

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  • Celine
    Celine Member Posts: 82
    edited April 2009

    Thank you Rose for your response. Yes I need to be really carefull taking the 12 weeks FMLA. I can probably go back to work in six weeks after surgery. I can asked about part-time work. I did asked if I go back to work if I am allowed for light duty. The admin said to me that the doctor will need to release me at 100% capacity. No light duty because it is FMLA.

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  • ccbaby
    ccbaby Member Posts: 985
    edited April 2009

    I had a mastectomy on left breast and 13 nodes removed and immediate recon with tissue expander on February 16 and I went back to work exactly one month later. I am a hairstylist and on my feet all day and using my arms a lot. I was ok until I had to start chemo a couple of weeks later after returing to work. I switched to working 1/2 days on the weeks I feel good until my chemo is finished.

    Will you have to take chemo or rads after surgery? That is something to think about as well because you will possibly miss more work because of treatments.

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  • PT63
    PT63 Member Posts: 329
    edited April 2009

    I have a physical job and went back to "light duty" at 6 weeks.  I was back to work full time by 8 weeks although I avoided the heaviest lifts if I possibly could.   Technically if you don't have any complications, tissue healing occurs within 6 to 8 weeks.  The tissue expanders don't limit your activity, they are just annoying.  My doctor sends all patients to a lymphedema specialist to get a baseline and to give the patient all of the precautions before they have problems.  If I followed all of the precautions I would never be able to work again. 

    Good luck with your surgery.

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  • Celine
    Celine Member Posts: 82
    edited April 2009

    Thanks ccbaby and PT63. I don't know yet if I will go chemo or radiation. I have not seen an onco. The gen surgeon said that I do not need radiation since I am having mx.  I just hope that the snb will come out negative.

    How many days or weeks can I  take time-off when I go for the implants?

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  • PT63
    PT63 Member Posts: 329
    edited May 2009

    The exchange surgery is really quick.  Of course there is the same issue with stitches etc. so you have to take it easy for awhile.  I was back at work within a week but I didn't do any heavy lifting for at least 5 or 6 weeks.

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