7 weeks post op - Questions about when you returned to work.

[stephc]

I had translab surgery 7 weeks ago today.  I went back to work last Monday but struggled to just get thru the week and I only worked part-time.  I went to my family doctor this morning because I feel terrible....extreme fatigue, muscle aches, etc.   He has taken me out of work for the remainder of this week.  He thinks I returned to work too soon.  He said my surgery was major and my body and brain needs time to adjust and heal.  He will see me again next Monday and re-evaluate me again.  My tumor was large and the surgery was 10 hours long.  I just wondering how long most of you stayed home before returning to work. 

[Jim Scott]

Hi ~

I was retired at the time of my AN surgery (2006) but I estimated at the time that I would have wanted to be at least eight weeks post-op before returning to my (sedentary) job, full time.  I based that estimate on the fact that fatigue is debilitating and mine didn't really dissipate until approximately two months, post-op.  Even then, I wasn't quite 100% but decided I was and acted accordingly.  Fortunately, I avoided any real problems even though I was 'pushing' myself.  By the 90 day mark, I felt pretty well recovered.  I  kept improving, albeit slowly, after that.  However, my stamina has never been quite the same and my balance, although quite 'serviceable' (I don't fall or get dizzy) is only about 80% of what it was, pre-AN manifestation.  Today, I'm doing great!  I like to remind AN surgery/radiation patients that in terms of recovery, (in most cases) time is definitely on our side.

Jim

[Sheila1977]

Hi,
I am 2 months post op (translab) and returned to work after 4 1/2 weeks part time.  I have been full time about 3 1/2 weeks and barely make it throgh every day and every week.  My surgery was only about 4.5 hours and am otherwise doing quite well.  But I am so fatigued today, I just had to respond.  I don't want to keep telling my family, friends and co-workers how hard this is and its disappointing that they don't understand.  I think the fatigue is impacting my emotional state   

So, if you can afford to heal for a while longer and I am sure your doctor will support this, you should take the time to heal and rest.

What a balancing act, eh friends?

[leapyrtwins]

Everyone is different.  It depends on the side-effects you are encountering and also on the type of job you do (desk job vs physically taxing).

I had retrosigmoid and returned to work part-time days 2 1/2 weeks post op; returned to full days 4 weeks post op.  But that's just me.

I'm an accountant, so my job isn't physically taxing.  I also had a caregiver (my mother) dealing with all the other stuff in my life (kids, house cleaning, shopping, driving, etc.) until I was 6 weeks post op and that really helped.

You and your doctor will know when you're ready.  I have to note though that the fatigue lasts for many months post op. 

Jan

[VPCO]

Hi!  I'm not an expert, but our situations sound a bit similar.  I had a 9-hour translab surgery last October 26 and was off for 8 weeks.  I then worked 2 20-hour weeks and went back to work full-time in late December.

Here are the caveats - I'm married but don't have children, and I work from home--telecommuting doing software work, so I know it was quite a bit easier for me than for many others who have to get ready and drive to and from an office every day and who can't completely crash when work is over.  And I do mean completely crash : )

I was SO glad that of my first 4 full-time weeks, 3 were only 4 day-weeks due to the holidays.

Also, my surgery was in October, and I really don't remember much from the following January to May.  I pretty much worked, ate, and slept.

I'm not saying this was a bad time; far from it.  I was tired but happy and healing and supported by friends and loved ones who let me take the time I needed to re-enter my life, after all it's brain surgery!  But it was quite a self-focused time meaning I was doing only what I could do and nothing more.  God bless my husband for making us a lot of frozen pizzas!  Not quite what one should eat to heal, but better than nothing.

It's been over a year now, and I still think I have a bit less energy than I used to, or maybe it's just that I'm older.  I didn't have body aches like you mention, so all I can recommend that you really listen to your body and to your doctor.  My doctors told me it would take 9 months to a year for my face to heal, and I think that guideline helped because I knew ahead of time not to expect too much from myself too soon.

Good luck, and you're doing the right thing getting more information, and some moral support to boot, here on the forum!  I know I did.

[Kathleen_Mc]

I returned around 3 1/2 months post op but only for a couple of weeks and then had my 7-12 jump done so was off again for another 6 weeks, in hindsight I really should not have returned to work when I did but (being young and foolish) I was bored and pushed the doctor's to let me. Take your time, pushing yourself too hard will lead to set backs, slow and steady wins the race!
Kathleen

[millie]

I worked in a junior high and am retired now, but I know I could not have gone back to the classroom in four weeks.  My head still feels full and that is the biggest distraction-plus, we can't really lift, walk fast, swivel quickly and I personally won't be driving until my head is less full feeling.  Plus my left eye waters and I still have facial droop on the left, although the facial droop is better than it was the first week.
I left about 300 sick days behind when I retired; had my AN popped up while I was working, I certainly would have taken the recovery time I needed.  However, each person's healing journey is different.

[lrobie]

I went back to work 7 weeks post-op.  Even though I have a desk job, I feel that I went back too early.  I may not get physically tired, but every day I'm mentally tired by the end of the work day.  My head feels like 20 pounds was added to it.  I believe I should have spent more time trying to work on the balance/wonkihead issues.  Most people aren't going to understand how you feel.  Everyone tells me I look wonderful.  It's also hard to describe.  That's why I'm glad I found a website that gives examples of bouncing vision.  I have showed my family and friends and they were surprised to learn that's what I'm going through.

Lisa

[Desilu]

Hi Stephc,

I had a very small AN 6mm x 8mm and was back to work full time at 8 weeks. I have a very physical job (I work as a postal clerk in a processing plant) lots of lifting, twisting, turning and walking. Although I was more tired than usual, I was able to perform my job well. I tried to get extra sleep and relax at home when ever possible (sometimes taking naps). Since your tumor was much larger, it will probably take you a little longer to get back to your normal self. Your body will tell you if your doing too much (it already has!). Take it slow. My family doctor gave me a vitamin B shot once a month for a few months. I don't know if it really helped, but it didn't hurt. Hope this has helped in some way. Hang in there, you are doing great for even attempting to work after such a long surgery. Ann

[lrobie]

Desilu,

I see you had middle fossa at HEI.  Did you have the wonkihead feeling?  If so, how long did it last?

Lisa

[Desilu]

Hi Lisa,

Not to get off track here with Stephc's issues, but I did have that wonkihead feeling (also called the bobble head effect) for some time. If you moved your head real fast one way and then the other, it took your brain a few seconds to figure out what you just did. I just did a lot of walking and did not make any sudden fast moves if I could help it. I didn't drive for about 6 weeks because of having to move my head back and forth to check traffic both ways. It will definitely throw you off balance, but it will get better. Any other questions, please send me a personal email. Ann

[lrobie]

Thanks Desilu.  I try to be careful not to overtake someone else's post.

Stephc - I hope that taking some more time off from work has made you feel better.   My second week back, I had to take a couple of naps in my car.  I know you probably can't imagine it, but over time, you should see improvement.

Lisa

[debraclark]

Hi Stephc, we are very similar in some ways, I did not have a translab I had a retrosigmoid but my surgery was 10 hours and my tumor was 3 centimeters. (they got 99.9 % of it) I am also 7 weeks post op, my doctors still have me out from work and I really don't feel up to it yet anyway. I get tired of course, but that is getting better, I am now deaf on my right side, and I still am working on my balance and have some facial paralysis left but my main complaint is the neck muscle pain and headaches they cause and headpain if I cough, etc. I have a desk job but I deal with the public and take care of the phones, and anything my bosses might need done, so there is no way I am ready for that just yet. Plus not driving yet anyway. So  I go back to my surgeons end of December and mid January then they will decide if I am able to go back to work. You definitley sound like you need more time for mind and body to heal. Take care of yourself, listen to your doctor and maybe you should follow up with your surgeon to have your time off work extended?

[millie]

Steph-I just reread your post and my reply.  I am sorry, I meant to say I could not  go back to work after seven weeks.  I am four weeks out of trans-lab and while I see improvement, and that encourages me, I feel I have a way to go.  Don't be afraid to take the time you need to heal.
I didn't always do that when I was working, but the worst I dealt with was bronchitis and pneumonia.  The head surgery is a bit different-plus, we lost whatever hearing we had on the AN side.  I was lucky to have accumulated sick days over many years, but I never used them.  Looking back, I wish I had.
Someone I know was able to take short term disability after complicated foot surgery. Is that a possibility for you?  Have you spoken with the doctors that did the surgery?
Best wishes...Mil

[stephc]

I want to thank everyone for their words of encouragement.  I didn't mention in my original post that I am a Human Resources Specialist so I do have a desk job.  I too get the comments but you look great....but I don't feel great.  I luckily have a very supportive supervisor.  I am just ready for life to get back to normal.