Working after surgery/during radiation?
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Hi there! I had a lumpectomy in January and was able to get back to work FT in about a week and a half. I did chemo from late March through early May, and during that time, I worked about 2/3 of the days but I didn't have much energy and had a hard time staying focused and engaged. I finished chemo three weeks ago (yay!) and it feels so good to be back at work on a regular basis, and able to be productive again. I have another (bigger) surgery coming up on June 26th (right mastectomy + reduction on the other side) and I'm thinking that within 2 weeks, I'll be back at work, or at the very least able to work from home. A month after surgery, I'm going to be having radiation for 6 weeks, and I'm not sure what my energy level will be like during that time and after I finish.
My team at work is planning for the summer, and I'd like to be as involved as possible, but I don't want to commit to being here if I'm going to be too exhausted. My coworkers and supervisors have been wonderful about reducing my work load, but I've found that it is so much better for me, psychologically, when I am engaged at work. I've heard that it is possible to work through radiation but I may be very tired during the last few weeks. I also have a seven-year-old son so I'm not able to just collapse when I get home at the end of the day.
I'd love to hear about experiences with working through radiation, and also how long after a mastectomy you were able to return to work (FT or PT)? Thanks!
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Hi, Lorena, Work after surgery depends on how quickly you heal and how well you feel. You have to be careful about lifting and range of motion when driving. I worked through rad PT through rad treatments. Fatigue wasn't bad until last 2 weeks. What you have to consider as I was told the effects of chemo and rad tx is cumulative and you may feel the effects when the two catch up to each other. Make sure you rest when you can and don't over extend yourself. I keep hearing moderate exercise and activity may actually help with fatigue so keep that in mind also. Eat healthy. Good luck.
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