time frame for going back to work

[bugman]

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

[macintosh]

Afer radiosurgery on a small AN (7mm) I was back at work the next day.

[Jeanlea]

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

[krbonner]

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

[nancyann]

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.

[1wareagle]

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!

[amymeri]

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.

[silverdolphin]

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.

[Obita]

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

[Battyp]

Naps They're going to wean me off naps?   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

[HeadCase2]

  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

[er]

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

[Denise]

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

[MLB57]

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..

[jason1]

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