How long did it take you to return to work after lumpectomy

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dsj
dsj Member Posts: 277
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I am scheduled for a lumpectomy on 3/9 and am wondering how long I should plan to be off work.  I teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, so obviously I will be out of the classroom that day, but I'm wondering if I will likely be okay to go back on Thursday.  I could wait and see, but it would be more convenient for me and students if I could plan ahead.  thanks for any advice. 

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  • mollyann
    mollyann Member Posts: 472
    edited February 2010

    If you also have a node procedure it may be difficult to teach Thursday. Without the nodes being fussed with, you should be able to teach. The main problem for many is not pain, it's the anesthesia which makes some people feel a little hungover.

    Can you get a local anesthesia with a little twilight sedative?

    Does your doctor only do surgery on Tuesdays?

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  • rreynolds1
    rreynolds1 Member Posts: 450
    edited February 2010

    My cancer was stage 1 and my lumpectomy was more extensive with sentinal node biopsy.  I was out of work for 5 days.  My surgeon said 2 days but I didn't feel ready and took a few more days to rest.  Not much pain but she sent me home with some heavy pain killers just in case.  Ice it.  It really helps with swelling.  They gave me an over the shoulder sling with a removable bag to fill with ice.  Ask it they have something like that before they send you home. 

    Roseann

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  • tweetybird
    tweetybird Member Posts: 815
    edited February 2010

    I had my lumpectomy done on a Wednesday and went back to work on Monday. I could have went back to work on Friday, but I gave myself the extra day off, plus the weekend, to make sure I was back to "normal". I know the next day would have been out of the question, since I had an appointment with my surgeon to have the bandages taken off and to see how things were going.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited February 2010

    I teach also, had it on a Wednesday and went back to work the following Thursday. I had thought I'd be back on Monday, but found I needed a little more time. Good Luck!

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  • msmpatty
    msmpatty Member Posts: 818
    edited February 2010

    I went back to work the day after my lumpectomy and SNB.   I didn't have to go, but I felt just fine. ( I was a little surprised because my lumpectomy required two rather long incisions and the removal of my nipple...but...no pain, no problem!)   Everybody is different so just "listen" to your body and do what feels right for you.

    Patty

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited February 2010

    I think it depends on what they find---if it ends up being a bigger procedure, you will need more time off.  I had my first lumpectomy on Monday and didn't come back until Thursday.  I felt fine.

    With the reexcission, the procedure was Monday night and I was in the office on Wednesday morning but I wasn't doing anything complicated.  I did a part day for Wednesday & Thursday & Friday.

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