Think I went back to work too soon

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dunesleeper
dunesleeper Member Posts: 2,060
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

I'm sitting here crying because I have to make my healthy foods before going to work and yesterday was my first day back and it exhausted me and I hurt and I should be leaving for work in 10 minutes and I'm still in my PJs and trying to get my healthy smoothie down.

One guy took vacation this week, which is why I went back. It is a month since my mastectomy but I'm doing alternative treatments. It is critical that I eat certain foods and exercise. I could not exercise after work last night. I don't expect to be able to tonight, as I am blubbering now before even getting to work.

I am using FMLA, so I guess I have the right to take off some more, but my conscience would drive me crazy. That would leave only one guy to cover from 7 am to 1 am. I don't think his health would stay too well.

Guess I'm venting here. Better drink my smoothie and cut up veggies for salad tonight at work.

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  • christine47
    christine47 Member Posts: 1,454
    edited April 2012

    sorry you are feeling so overwhelmed.  I think my taking adequate time off after surgeries and during chemo has been key to my feeling well and beating cancer.  I hope you can slow down and take care of yourself.

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  • profbee
    profbee Member Posts: 858
    edited April 2012

    Honey.  You deserve the time.  It won't leave one person.  It will leave them needing to find someone else to help cover.  You need to focus on YOU, and work can work it out.  Please take care of yourself.  Lots of ((hugs))

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  • K8ykat
    K8ykat Member Posts: 4
    edited April 2012

    O honey I am sorry; that sounds rough.  Veggies and exercize are great but they are one aspect of self care, if you are able to rest and heal, that is also important.  I am on tamoxifen and it has really shown me how closely stress and cancer prompting hormones are related.  If I get scared angry or sad I hot flash in a few moments.  The adrenaline is being short circuited by the Tamoxifen and keeping it from leading to inflamation also.  Good luck to you! As far as natural treatments go, you can add white willow (asprin) equivilant to 360 mg x 4 times a week.  This may half recurrance. hugs!

    k8ykat

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  • LaurenM730
    LaurenM730 Member Posts: 366
    edited April 2012

    I give you so much credit for going back after a month. I go back Monday after 10 weeks and I'm not sure if I'm ready. You deserve, and need the time. Take what you need is the advice everyone (including work) gave me.



    Take care of yourself, and I hope things get better for you soon



    Sending hugs your way!

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  • dunesleeper
    dunesleeper Member Posts: 2,060
    edited June 2012

    Thank you Christine, Profbee, Kate, and Lauren. I know you are all right. I don't know what I will end up doing. I guess we will have to see how I get through tonight. There may be an option of working from home as well. To get here today I had to take pain meds and order food (which will not be as healthy as what I would have made but might not be too bad). I have a mixed greens salad, and a gyro. How bad do you think a gyro might be? Pita, lamb, onion, lettuce, tomato, and creamy cucumber sauce. I think that last might be the most dangerous but it sure was good. Tongue out The salad will be healthy although not as healthy as what I would have made. I have my supplements with me. I have my filtered water with colloidal silver with me. I have my pineapple with me. And I will start making my green tea. Must have 3 to 4 cups of green tea daily.

    Again, thanks. And Lauren, I hope you will find yourself ready come Monday. Let us know how it goes.

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited April 2012

    I understand where you are at wanting to start and maintain a healthy routine. I am the same and have adjusted my work life to help me apply good habits. I agree that is your priority. It is too easy to get pulled back into a situation where you put others' needs ahead of your own again. Your health is your most important consideration.



    Working from home sounds a good option. Or can you return part time or at reduced hours and gradually increase to full time?



    Good luck to you.

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  • dunesleeper
    dunesleeper Member Posts: 2,060
    edited June 2012

    Thanks Racy. I don't think part-time is a good option. God only knows what bills I will be seeing soon. Ya know? I'm going to try to make it through this week. Next week I am working from home 2 days. If I think I need more I think I am going to ask for it. I took pain meds and don't feel too bad right now. In fact, I was downright chatty with Steve (who is the guy who will be stuck covering this place from 7 am to 1 am if I take off sick this week). If need be, I may even be able to work from home this week -- if everything here starts working right again. We are just back from Spring Break and everything is broken. If I work from home this week, Steve would still have to work extra hours, but should be able to leave by around 5.

    I won't be able to do the exercising this week or next, but that doesn't mean I can't take some walks or do some light push ups against a wall, ya know, just a little something.

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  • Dee1974
    Dee1974 Member Posts: 9
    edited April 2012

    My surgeon wouldn't release me to go back to work until 2 mon after surgery.

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  • barbiecorn
    barbiecorn Member Posts: 437
    edited April 2012

    Dunesleeper - I am very stressed by all of this and including work...I have been back two weeks now...started slowly...my boss is very understanding thank God and I am also at the age of retirement so need be I can retire soon at some point which gives me some breathing room....let me tell you seriously do not worry too much about the diet and exercise at this point...it will just make you more anxious...do what you can with the smoothies, etc. which is what I am doing...but if you cheat a little, it is not going to make that much of a difference...your mental health is more important than anything right now as stress is the number one no-no...so destress first and let the rest come in second.  If you want to PM me, do so....(((hugs)))

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  • dunesleeper
    dunesleeper Member Posts: 2,060
    edited June 2012

    Hi barbie. Yup. Stress is a big no no, and I have been letting myself go there far too frequently lately. Here's to turning over a new leaf!

    Take care.

    Charlene

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  • LaurenM730
    LaurenM730 Member Posts: 366
    edited April 2012

    I went back to work for the first time in 10 weeks. Fortunately I had a fill later in the day so I was able to leave early. Not looking forward to tomorrow though. I'm exhausted from the 6 hours I was there today. Not to mention a 2 hour + round trip commute.



    Ugh, and now with 100 extra cc's... Tomorrow should be a joy...😉

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  • dunesleeper
    dunesleeper Member Posts: 2,060
    edited June 2012

    It gets better Lauren. This is my 2nd week back. Unfortunately, I also have scans or doctor appts every day too. So I'm tired. No doubt about that. And yes, I am wondering how I will make out tomorrow. I doubt I'll have time to get a nap between the PET scan and work. And if I don't think I can come in, then I'm calling out sick. I went back to work after 4 weeks, and at this point, I'm sure I should have waited at least 6 weeks (especially with all these other appointments). FMLA should have me covered.

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  • LaurenM730
    LaurenM730 Member Posts: 366
    edited April 2012

    today is day 2.  Not as good as yesterday because I took the train instead of driving.  Rude, obnoxious, oblivious people on the train then subway.  Times Square is a nightmare.  I was ready to go home as soon as I got in.  My boss did say I can leave when I need to in order to avoid the afternoon rush.  Whew.

    thank goodness for FMLA and disability!

    Good luck with your scan today.

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  • dunesleeper
    dunesleeper Member Posts: 2,060
    edited June 2012

    Thanks Lauren. And good luck to you for tomorrow.

    Charlene

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