ANA Discussion Forum

Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: bugman on February 19, 2007, 12:05:57 pm

Title: time frame for going back to work
Post by: bugman on February 19, 2007, 12:05:57 pm
Can anyone tell how long was it before they could go back to work after surgery? Has anyone not been able to go back to work and if so why?
Thank you
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: macintosh on February 19, 2007, 12:54:12 pm
Afer radiosurgery on a small AN (7mm) I was back at work the next day.
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: Jeanlea on February 19, 2007, 01:09:00 pm
I had surgery (translab) for a tumor that was 3.5 plus cm.  I had the sick time so I was out of work for a total of 8 weeks.  If I had to I probably could have gone back to work a couple of weeks earlier.  I think it depends on the treatment that you have and how big your tumor is.  Some people have gone back much sooner.

Jean
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: krbonner on February 19, 2007, 02:35:29 pm
I don't work in a traditional office situation, but I was taking care of my two young kids on my own all day by 6 weeks post-op.  It wasn't too bad, and it's not like I could explain to my youngest (who was 1 1/2 at the time!) that I just needed to rest for a bit!  LOL!

I was wiped at the end of the day (still am!), but I was fine.

Katie
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: nancyann on February 19, 2007, 04:05:36 pm
Hi there,
I went back to work 8 weeks after surgery, but only worked 3 days a week the first 2 weeks.
I was really fatigued for awhile, felt like I probably could have waited another month...
So, go with your body, it'll let you know when you're ready.
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: 1wareagle on February 19, 2007, 04:39:14 pm
I went back to work for 3 hours on the 3rd week after my surgery and full time after 1 month. I feel great but still can't move my face yet!
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: amymeri on February 20, 2007, 05:55:33 pm
I had a large tumor and very long surgery.  I returned to work part time 3 months after surgery (could have gone a little earlier) and full time at 5 months.

I had double vision and very severe facial paralysis the first 3 months so I couldn't drive to work until the vision resolved.  My face is still paralyzed but I felt okay after 3-4 months, gradually improving until 6 months out I felt normal.
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: silverdolphin on February 20, 2007, 06:00:27 pm
I went back to work after 6 weeks.  My first week back I worked mornings and then went home for a big nap in the afternoon.
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: Obita on February 20, 2007, 07:37:43 pm
Hi Bugman:

I went back at 8 weeks then did 2 weeks half days.  Looking back I am sure I would have been fine easing back into it 2 weeks earlier.  I am really glad I could do the half days.  I was very overwhelmed at first and 4 hours was enough.   I guess I needed to be weaned off naps!!

Kathy
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: Battyp on February 20, 2007, 09:15:35 pm
Naps They're going to wean me off naps? :o  Bugman I think i'm one of the rare cases who have not gone back to work.  The reason is I have numbness in my face, throat and tongue which make teaching difficult and had some problems with Adult onset attention deficiet disorder which made me oh hmm let's see a little impulsive.  Ok, so it was a lot impulsive but honestly I didn't hit the guy I wal mart I only yelled as he wasn't handicapped and took my handicapped space.  I'm in the process of going back to school through vocational rehab to get retrained for a new career in which I don't have to speak a lot and can do from home.  I am better in the sense that I can go most days without a nap but find if I get stressed or tense I'm looking to lay down as it makes my balance and speech worse.

Hugs M
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: HeadCase2 on February 21, 2007, 07:57:47 am
  I was off of work for 8 weeks.  I originally "planned" on being off 4 weeks, but in retrospect I'm glad that I was able to take 8 weeks off.  I was much better shape as far as balance, energy levels, etc., after 8 weeks.
Regards,
 Rob
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: er on March 15, 2007, 09:33:35 pm

Hi
I was able to go back to work 3 weeks after surgery, I still had problems with my eyesight but I wore my prescription sunglasses. I also got fatigue but I would go out to my car and rest. But I only had a 6-hour day part-time job as an instructional ass. and receptionist. It depends on how your body and mine feel. My doctor was glad to see me go to work.

Eve
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: Denise on March 16, 2007, 06:19:38 am
Return to Work Part-time 7/11/05
Return to Work Full-time 9/7/05

Would have taken more time, if I could.  I had no disability, and am not paid if I don't work.  So really not a choice for me.  Just do what is right for you.  If you can go part time and ease your way back to a full time day I say go for it.

Denise
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: MLB57 on March 16, 2007, 03:57:21 pm
Hi Bugman--I was 50 when I had a 1 cm rt AN removed retrosigmoid/suboccipital--Docs told me I'd feel like a Mack truck hit me for 6 weeks or so (I have done research since and your brain normally uses 25% (I think) of your body's energy, but when you have head trauma (like surgery) a greater percentage of energy goes to healing your brain so that's why you are really fatigued after surgery for some time). I was in good health and was so fatigued I didn't go back to work until 3 months after surgery--so we all recouperate at different rates.. Luckily I and short-term disability from work so never missed much income.

Regards, Mary from MA.. :D
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: jason1 on March 19, 2007, 10:05:03 am
I am currently 4 weeks from translab surgery and not back to work yet. I am planning to return full-time in another 2 weeks. I am able to do some part-time work from home on the computer right now, but its hard to focus on the screen for hours on end without getting headaches. I am 32 years old and was in fairly good shape going into the surgery, but my balance is not 100% yet and stamina is still an issue.  Though my surgery took about 11 hours there were no post-op complications. During the first week you may wonder how you could ever go back to work, but it gets better every week.

Good luck to you.

Jason
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: nancyann on March 19, 2007, 10:24:18 am
Holy Toledo Ellis (1wareagle) !!!!   You win the prize for us with facial paralysis getting back to work so quickly.
                                               I am dumbfounded !!!!! (I thought I got back to work in record time, YOU TAKE THE CAKE !!!)
All the best,  Nancy
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: Captain Deb on March 21, 2007, 04:01:13 am
I'm 4 years 3 months post-op and I have yet to go back to work full time due to cluster headaches, migraines, and the accompanying depression. I was totally incapacitated for about 2 1/2 years before the headaches subsided at all, and now I'm somewhat better and can work about 1/3 time.

Capt Deb 8)
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: superrmaren on March 21, 2007, 10:32:52 pm
Naps They're going to wean me off naps? :o  Bugman I think i'm one of the rare cases who have not gone back to work.  The reason is I have numbness in my face, throat and tongue which make teaching difficult and had some problems with Adult onset attention deficiet disorder which made me oh hmm let's see a little impulsive.  Ok, so it was a lot impulsive but honestly I didn't hit the guy I wal mart I only yelled as he wasn't handicapped and took my handicapped space.  I'm in the process of going back to school through vocational rehab to get retrained for a new career in which I don't have to speak a lot and can do from home.  I am better in the sense that I can go most days without a nap but find if I get stressed or tense I'm looking to lay down as it makes my balance and speech worse.

Hugs M

not being back in the classroom must be hard! i graduated with a teaching degree in 05 and student taught through jan 06. i have not had my first teaching job yet and am a little scared i never will! i have already been on disability and out of work from my retail management job for 7 months...we'll see!
xox
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: Meagan on May 25, 2007, 02:12:06 pm
I had my surgery in January and went back in May.  I was in the hospital until end of February so i am one of the odd cases where it took some time.  I told my job end of Jan i would be back, oops.
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: TP on May 26, 2007, 10:57:38 am
I had my sugery on June 5, 2006 and was back to work in mid August. I had post operative complications but was ready to get back to work (sick of laying around). I work out of my house (which was great) and worked about 20 hours the first week but by the second week I was up to 50 hours a week and have gone non stop since.

Like most of us I have a stressful job - I work as a project/program manager for a large technology company. I talk on the phone all day (use a speaker phone) and multitask all day. I am tired in the evening but I find I push myself to exercise at least two days during the work week (taekwondo) and on the weekends I walk. I did hire someone to clean my house, don't like doing that anymore!!! I do work in the yard (that took about 6 months out from my initial surgery before I could bend over and stand the heat-first time I trimmed the bushes was funny, they were totally lopsided). I enjoy sleeping but don't like to rest too much - it makes me lazy. I did however, get back this past week from vacation where I rested. It was nice but the first thing I did when I got home was do some work on my computer!! Back to work on Tuesday!   
Title: Re: time frame for going back to work
Post by: lora on May 26, 2007, 11:53:18 am
Bugman--As you can see, I think alot has to do with WHAT you do and how what your energy level, complications etc. are after surgery.  We all reupererate at different rates.  I feel like I could take on the world if it weren't for this pesky falling down :o  Don't push it, if you can afford to take the time off work, enjoy the rest:  work will be there when you get back.  Thank God I have a forgiving boss as it looks like I am going back Friday for round two--how often will I get to take advantage of this leave thing?  You are in my prayers--Lora