When to go back to work?

[suz]

Hello folks,
I am scheduled to go back to work in 2 weeks and I think I am ready but wondering what criteria others have used to decide when they are ready.
I am a nurse, but work in an outpatient setting and am the only person in my department.  The days are long and busy, and many days I get only a 15 minute break.....and once I decide to go back, it will be hard to reverse that decision.
It has been 6 weeks since my surgery - so this seems reasonble, yes? I know my docs will say that if I feel ready I can go - but am afraid since I can't change the plan once in place... Would love to hear others thoughts.
Suz

[Cheryl R]

Suz,    I went back to work as a nurse in 2 mos.    Did this twice due to my NF2 and more than one tumor and then surgery.     The last surgery had retired and have stayed retired.        The having to do so much mental work along with so much running up and down a hall made me glad I had waited as long as I did.   I still was tired easily for some time.         We each feel different and you know how much you can handle.      If not sure then maybe do need a bit more time off.                Good luck with how it goes!                       Cheryl R

[Lizard]

Suz,
The only advice I can offer to you is to try to return part time if possible, fatigue is a big factor when returning to work so try not to over do it.
If not you might want to wait another couple weeks, but it really all depends on how you are feeling.  Can you keep the energy level of this job at home doing chores and whatnot, if so then I say go for it, but if not don't go back to soon especially if you are either all or nothing.
Liz

[bell]

I agree, listen to how you feel. Fatique is big and will continue for awhile. I would go back part time and work into full. I took 4 months off and I still worked part time for 2 more months. I had good days and bad days and OTC got me through the bads, and sitting down when I had a headache. Fellow workers understood I needed a break and they helped alot. Good luck when you go back.
Bell

[kenneth_k]

Hi Suz.

I also started out part time for two weeks when I returned to work. It worked very well for me.
Have you considered starting out on part time? Is that a possibility for you?

Best regards, Kenneth

[leapyrtwins]

Suz -

it depends on you - and your doctor.  Doctors usually let you decide, since you are the one who knows how you truly feel, but if they have doubts, they won't "release" you.

Everyone heals at a different rate, and many of us have different problems post op.  It also depends on the type of work you do - desk job vs strenous, physical job.

I work a desk job and I returned to work part-time (half days) 2 1/2 weeks post op and returned full days @ 4 weeks.  But that's just me.  Others have returned sooner - or later - or sometimes not at all (they apply for disability).

Jan

[suz]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Cheryl, Jan, Kenneth, & Liz,
I will have to think about the part-time option and if my short-term disability company will allow that. It is a good suggestion. My boss has planned to have another RN work with me for the first few days but I am still worried about what will happen if I can't make it through the day for the long-term. Also a great suggestion to try to increase workload around the house to mimic my work day to see how I do.
I am thinking that another few weeks would make me more confidant, though. Such a struggle to put oneself first! My job has been covered by four per diem RN's that all have other full-time jobs, so I feel the pull to get back to relieve them of the added burden to their schedule.
I really appreciate the quick feedback; this community is so wonderful!
Suz

[opp2]

I'm not a nurse but a police officer. I get the long shifts for sure. When I left for surgery on Jun 30th I told my boss expect me to be off 3-6 months. I had surgery on July 6th, and I feel fabulous. BUT--I will not be going back until October. I promised myself. It's easy to say I feel fabulous right now, but I am at home all day. My kids let me sleep until 8-830, I send them off to the sitters around 1030-11, then I work out, sit down for lunch at 1-1:30 and then maybe do a project until 4-430 when I go back and get my kids. I then make them dinner and we hang out til 8-830 when they go to bed.

So as you see, I sit a lot, I'm not on the go, no stress, no decision making, none of that. I believe that I really need that time to recuperate. To rest and to get ready to go back.

I'm sure I could go back, but I'd be tired, and I'd regret it.

I hope that helps. It's hard to explain to people who are looking at you thinking, 'she looks pretty darn good for a girl who had brain surgery'. You know they're thinkin' it, I know they're thinkin' it. I just use the above story to demonstrate it.

[Nickittynic]

It really depends.
If you think you're ready, you probably are. I'm also a nurse, and I wasn't ready when the doctor told me he thought I was (at 6 weeks) it took me about 5 months to go back, and even then I started part time and added in shifts slowly to get back to full time. I'm really glad I allowed myself the extra time, I don't think I wuold have made it if I had tried to start when the Dr told me to!
But.. that's just me. Follow your feelings!