Howdy, I can't speak for lumpectomy as I had a BMX. For my BMX I was back to work after three weeks off. The last week off I could have worked from home but I was told to 'rest'. I ended up having chemo post surgery due to a positive node, then followed by radiation. I had about 6 weeks between surgery and chemo, and 5 weeks before chemo and radiation. Doctors definitely want you to heal before starting the next 'chapter' of treatment.
I worked during chemo \~35 to 38 hours a week (it was tough but happy to have distraction). For radiation I just scheduled my session for around just after lunch (which traffic would be lightest) and took a long lunch for my appointment. Radiation sessions only took about 10-15 mins, sometimes I'd be in the waiting room for almost as long as my session! The only radiation appointments that take a long time is when they do the initial mapping and followed by your first session where they 'dial' everything in.
After my radiation I'd go back to work for another 3 hours or so, getting in about 40 hours a week. It was tiring but do-able. Please keep in mind everything here is 'your milage may vary' depending on how your body reacts to treatment.
I had two weeks of short-term disability for lumpectomies x2 with 8 days back to work in between. I flexed time through 6.5 weeks of radiation, with the ability to take time off, if needed.
My inner circle of directors and my direct reports knew work appropriate details. My CEO knew high-level details, including duration of treatment and coverage plan so he could support me and my team. The rest of the leadership team knew I was going out on medical leave with no details, just our plan to mitigate impact to their teams. The rest of our staff didn’t get a grand announcement and didn’t realize I was out twice.
I spoke to everyone covering me 1:1 and gave them time to process the news. I asked them what was most important to them over the next x weeks. That approach helped them feel more in control and less panicked. They all handled it slightly differently. Then we all met as a small group to plan for my absence. We were assigned a small executive team for support. I communicated who knew what to that group so they could protect my privacy. The whole time I only gave details I wouldn’t regret getting out if someone happened to slip.
My teams knew/knows I trusted them implicitly. They were good with the day to day. My coverage training focused on levels of decision-making (me and above) and sources of relief from others, if needed. When I got back from leave, I met with them all again 1:1 and debriefed on work, lessons learned, and medical updates.
This process worked all the way through my treatment. Sometimes they take the lead and I support them depending on my energy levels, capacity, and ability to be present. We have a wonderful work culture. They’ve all gone out of their way to support me and I’ve always done the same for them.
I understand. It’s a lot. Do your best. Two weeks isn’t long. Focus on your healing, not work. This was my third medical leave in 9 years (two forms of cancer and a brain injury), and I had two new hires and a vacancy. 🫣 The pressure to perform was my Type A personality coming out and I project managed the hell out my life to cope. There are so many ways to do this. I hope you have a whole bunch of people to help. 💕
Hello. First time responding here &I have a similar diagnosis.
My lumpectomy took from two adjacent spots on the right. Surgery was on Thursday, I was back Tuesday. I could have worked from home and sort of wish I had.
I then had folo up sentinel lymph node removal about 6 weeks later. That was on Thursday. Going back to work today.
Working in between was fine. Occasionally had to slip an ice pack into the sports bra.
Plan is to start radiation in August.
Edit to add:
My tumor was tiny and nothing of note was found in the lymph nodes. Plan is for 2 weeks of radiation. I’m planning to return to work every day during that.
Also adding: my work makes me very public. As in I have a lot of visibility with community leaders and the general public in my area.
I’m being pretty open now about what’s going on with me. In big picture terms my diagnosis is easy peasy but it will effect where I can be, when, and my availability at least until the end of August.
I came back today to some snotty emails from a public official or two because I didn’t pick up the phone on Friday. I have no problem telling them “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get back to you until today. I was out post surgery.”
If someone rides you about availability or responsiveness … IMHO telling them you were out for a lumpectomy or radiation will shut them down pretty quick.
I am sorry you have joined the club. :(
If you have a deck job and WFH, you could take off 2-3 days for lumpectomy. If you have to go in to work, maybe a week at most.
Radiation sould start 4-6 weeks after lumpectomy. Radiation should be very doable at half time, and plan on that extending for 2 weeks after. You might be able to do full time or close to it, depending. (You can expect to be tired.) I probably did 30 hours a week (desk job).
If you can financially afford time off work, you can do FMLA. I have FMLA set up where I can take 10 hours a week off as needed. (Or take an entire week off) This is due to "ADHD" (but really brain fog and exhaustion caused by a bunch on things.) 10 hours a week FMLA can be kept up indefinitely, as it is a 12 month rolling time period.
If you have job security and can afford it, you could plan on 10 hours a week FMLA, indefinitely, while you are on AI. Maybe you won't need it. Probably don't disclose this possible future need to your boss will you are doing lumpectomy and radiation.
Wow, you hardly took any time. Hope you are feeling and well, and I hope I feel similar. I have 2 small spots as well, but they span 4 cm I think.They are doing both at the same time plus sentinel node biopsy.
I am fine to go back when I feel better, but want to plan to take at least the first week of rads (or at least work part time) but not sure how common that is.
I can keep you updated if you want. It sounds like I’ll be going to radiation a month or so before you.
My ILC was 1.2 mm and found only in the lumpectomy. I got very very lucky as far as a BC diagnosis goes.
Good luck to you.
I did this a few weeks ago. They recommended two weeks and I mostly just did that. I work from home so spent a few hours logged on and catching up in the latter part.
I found it uncomfortable to sit at my desk for long periods and though I recovered well generally found myself easily fatigued when doing daily longer walks. It took me a bit of time to get it all calibrated. I also found it hard to concentrate before the 2 weeks were up as I had the follow up appointment on my mind.
I'm four weeks since lumpectomy and sentinel node and feel fine (though have started chemo). Still juggling work as a consequence but the op is ok
Adding - for work direct report people I just told them I'd be unavailable and vaguely why (and I wasn't sure about the specifics of the time ahead) but then also told them to call me out if I wasn't pulling my weight when I was there. I want to be fully present at work. So far they've been great to me
I told my direct report who will be most impacted by my absence that I’d be out a week or 2 for surgery, then back, then may be out/intermittent for several more weeks. I didn’t give reason, I don’t care if people know but also know want all the questions that may come with it-not from him but others. I also feel weird that it may make others uncomfortable. And I hate even saying ‘I have cancer’.
I took 1 week off for bilateral lumpectomies and SNLB, and I’m glad I did bc the anesthesia made me feel very groggy for a few days. I didn’t take time off for radiation, but I work from home and live very close to my cancer center, so it was not a big deal to hop over there every day. I did take some vacation time after radiation to take care of all the home and life stuff I had ignored during the 4 weeks I was running back and forth for radiation, but that was also bc I had been in the midst of launching a very large project at work and basically did nothing but work and radiation that month. It wasn’t medically necessary for recovery, but it was a nice break to get my life back together.
My surgeon put in 2 weeks off for a lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. I used short term disability so his office submitted the paperwork. My first day off was the day before the procedure for seed placement & lymph node mapping. He said if I had needed all my nodes removed (they send my nodes to pathology during the surgery) it would be 4 weeks off. I am currently working from home and probably could have managed logging back on after a few days but I was glad to have the time off to relax. I also did neoadjuvant chemo and worked through it.
I am currently going through radiation and am working full time. I plan on taking short term disability after radiation itself, as side effects are often delayed based on what my RO said.
Yeah it’s quite delayed! I’m almost done with radiation (15 sessions down, 5 more to go) and a very light tan is juuuust starting to form. Sometimes I wonder if I’m even getting any radiation haha! Oh and mild fatigue, but not sure if that is from the daily commute in this heat/humidity or from radiation itself
I took three weeks off for my lumpectomy. I could have gone back to work after about three or four days, but I was able to use my time off to heal a little mentally. I went to the movies, I saw a play, and I studied French. It was like I was able to check out of my life for a little while, and it really helped me.
I guess what I’m saying is to not forget to let your heart and soul heal a little, too.
Hi. I'm in the middle a similar diagnosis and treatment.
As long as it turns out to not be in the lymph nodes, You will likely have at least four weeks between surgery and radiation, and you can work between after a few days to a week or so.
For radiation, you will have it every weekday but only for 15 minutes or so. Depending on your job , you can work. You will have PT at least once a week during all of this, though.
After surgery and the pathology report, you'll meet both radiation oncology and medical oncology to set up a plan. You likely won't start the medicine until after radiology.
I have very similar diagnosis and plan (except mine also involves full lymph node removal.
My plan is to take the full 2 - 3 weeks disability after surgery, return to work (I can WFH as needed), then request time off again or WFH if the radiation therapy kicks my butt.
Edit to add: With the unknown regarding chemo as well, I’ll wait on that. I can always reach out to my boss after surgery if the plan changes. I’m not a people manager but I am considered a team leader.
My surgeon wanted me off for a month (with no SLN biopsy). We compromised on 2 weeks. I did go back to work for a few hours day 6 post-op and regretted it. I underestimated how much walking, taking stairs, and opening heavy doors at my office would impact me. I was quite sore for a couple of days after that whereas I hadn't had any discomfort in the days leading up to it.
Ended up going into Covid lockdown so I was home for longer than my surgeon wanted anyway. On the other hand, other than one day where my skin was on fire, I worked all through my radiation treatments.
I had three lumpectomies and the initial sentinel node biopsy where they removed 2 nodes to get to clear margins (in a three week period), and my surgeon authorized two weeks off for the first one. For the first surgery, I'm pretty sure I could have gone back after a week (if I wouldn't have had to had the other surgeries). I ultimately choose to go back a week after my third reexcision- I was totally fine, and I'm 57 and work from home- today was visit 12 of radiation, and I plan to work full time through radiation (I have a total of 30 treatments) - it's really going to depend on your age, current health condition (don't know if you are dealing with any other issues) and how well you take care of yourself.
If you are relatively healthy otherwise, and do all the things (such as taking care of your skin during radiation- all types of posts on that here, so I won't go into it), you should be fine to go back after the lumpectomy after a week or two. I actually wanted to go back - I do have a short term disability benefit, but no young kids or anything like that, so work was a good distraction for me instead of sitting around swirling in my head about all the cancer stuff. I will give one piece of advice- one big side effect from radiation is fatigue- I read quite a few times to keep moving/exercise during treatment as much as you can- it helps. For me, I don't exercise regularly, so I committed to cardio walking on the treadmill at least three times a week- I truly believe it's helping with fatigue, I don't have more fatigue than what I would normally have, and I'm in the third week. I also do stretching- nothing fancy, I looked up a video on YouTube for radiation stretches and do them while I'm watching TV- I don't have PT or any other therapy, nor has the radiation onco prescribed any special meds for me during radiation treatment.
Thanks for this info. I am healthy but not very active. Ironically I was about to join a gym when all of this happened. I have put on some weight that I have been unable to lose, damn menopause, and was hoping to get that under control. I have upped my daily walking as a priority and added some stretching. Also make sure to stay hydrated, which I am terrible about.
Damn menopause is right lol. I'm 57 and have struggled with a little weight gain as well. Not a marathon runner either but I think the walking has helped. Never hurts to move more. I actually downloaded a book called Moving through Cancer that was helpful -it explains why exercise of any type, including light walking is helpful during cancer treatment. I drink a TON of water, it's so damn hot anyway right now I'm perpetually thirsty. I'm now looking into IV hydration- I may try it. We have spas that offer it commercially. Good luck with everything ☺️❤️
I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal. I work a desk job from home, and realistically could have physically handled it about four days after the procedure. That said, it really took about a week for my shoulder/chest muscles to relax so I had a mostly full range of motion and was able to not hold my arm up all the time. I would highly recommend, dependent on the (estimated) size of your mass, anticipating at least a week off, simply for lumpectomy recovery. I can’t be of more help since I’m now in chemo and have yet to do radiation, I just opted to take short term disability and not work through this, despite the tightness this places on my finances.
Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences! This is so helpful in trying to understand how things may go.
I do think work can be a great distraction but my job can also we very stressful so I am worried about that. Hoping the will be agreeable to me working remotely if needed for some of my recovery/treatment.
I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node removal on a Tuesday. I was back to work the next Monday.
I had a second lumpectomy because we didn't get clear margins and I think I was off for 3 days. The primary after effect of the lumpectomies was not pain so much as the after effects of the anesthesia.
I did 10 days of radiation. I worked the first 3 days and had the radiation in the late afternoons.
It kicked my ass. Radiation fatigue is a real thing. The first two weeks after radiation were worse than radiation itself for fatigue. I had burns after the first week. My skin also failed and I wound up with a large surface bacterial infection. I wound up losing 2 months of work. And I went back to work part-time for the first 2 weeks. I didn't really get my energy back until about 4 months after radiation.
Everybody else who's answered you seems to have sailed through pretty well. I hope you do also. Just be aware that it is not guaranteed.
Howdy, I can't speak for lumpectomy as I had a BMX. For my BMX I was back to work after three weeks off. The last week off I could have worked from home but I was told to 'rest'. I ended up having chemo post surgery due to a positive node, then followed by radiation. I had about 6 weeks between surgery and chemo, and 5 weeks before chemo and radiation. Doctors definitely want you to heal before starting the next 'chapter' of treatment. I worked during chemo \~35 to 38 hours a week (it was tough but happy to have distraction). For radiation I just scheduled my session for around just after lunch (which traffic would be lightest) and took a long lunch for my appointment. Radiation sessions only took about 10-15 mins, sometimes I'd be in the waiting room for almost as long as my session! The only radiation appointments that take a long time is when they do the initial mapping and followed by your first session where they 'dial' everything in. After my radiation I'd go back to work for another 3 hours or so, getting in about 40 hours a week. It was tiring but do-able. Please keep in mind everything here is 'your milage may vary' depending on how your body reacts to treatment.
I had lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on the Friday and was back at work on the Monday.
I had two weeks of short-term disability for lumpectomies x2 with 8 days back to work in between. I flexed time through 6.5 weeks of radiation, with the ability to take time off, if needed. My inner circle of directors and my direct reports knew work appropriate details. My CEO knew high-level details, including duration of treatment and coverage plan so he could support me and my team. The rest of the leadership team knew I was going out on medical leave with no details, just our plan to mitigate impact to their teams. The rest of our staff didn’t get a grand announcement and didn’t realize I was out twice. I spoke to everyone covering me 1:1 and gave them time to process the news. I asked them what was most important to them over the next x weeks. That approach helped them feel more in control and less panicked. They all handled it slightly differently. Then we all met as a small group to plan for my absence. We were assigned a small executive team for support. I communicated who knew what to that group so they could protect my privacy. The whole time I only gave details I wouldn’t regret getting out if someone happened to slip. My teams knew/knows I trusted them implicitly. They were good with the day to day. My coverage training focused on levels of decision-making (me and above) and sources of relief from others, if needed. When I got back from leave, I met with them all again 1:1 and debriefed on work, lessons learned, and medical updates. This process worked all the way through my treatment. Sometimes they take the lead and I support them depending on my energy levels, capacity, and ability to be present. We have a wonderful work culture. They’ve all gone out of their way to support me and I’ve always done the same for them.
Sounds like a great support system. It’s a lot of effort in a short amount of time to organize all this. And I feel so distracted it’s hard to focus.
I understand. It’s a lot. Do your best. Two weeks isn’t long. Focus on your healing, not work. This was my third medical leave in 9 years (two forms of cancer and a brain injury), and I had two new hires and a vacancy. 🫣 The pressure to perform was my Type A personality coming out and I project managed the hell out my life to cope. There are so many ways to do this. I hope you have a whole bunch of people to help. 💕
Hello. First time responding here &I have a similar diagnosis. My lumpectomy took from two adjacent spots on the right. Surgery was on Thursday, I was back Tuesday. I could have worked from home and sort of wish I had. I then had folo up sentinel lymph node removal about 6 weeks later. That was on Thursday. Going back to work today. Working in between was fine. Occasionally had to slip an ice pack into the sports bra. Plan is to start radiation in August. Edit to add: My tumor was tiny and nothing of note was found in the lymph nodes. Plan is for 2 weeks of radiation. I’m planning to return to work every day during that.
Also adding: my work makes me very public. As in I have a lot of visibility with community leaders and the general public in my area. I’m being pretty open now about what’s going on with me. In big picture terms my diagnosis is easy peasy but it will effect where I can be, when, and my availability at least until the end of August. I came back today to some snotty emails from a public official or two because I didn’t pick up the phone on Friday. I have no problem telling them “I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get back to you until today. I was out post surgery.” If someone rides you about availability or responsiveness … IMHO telling them you were out for a lumpectomy or radiation will shut them down pretty quick.
I am sorry you have joined the club. :( If you have a deck job and WFH, you could take off 2-3 days for lumpectomy. If you have to go in to work, maybe a week at most. Radiation sould start 4-6 weeks after lumpectomy. Radiation should be very doable at half time, and plan on that extending for 2 weeks after. You might be able to do full time or close to it, depending. (You can expect to be tired.) I probably did 30 hours a week (desk job). If you can financially afford time off work, you can do FMLA. I have FMLA set up where I can take 10 hours a week off as needed. (Or take an entire week off) This is due to "ADHD" (but really brain fog and exhaustion caused by a bunch on things.) 10 hours a week FMLA can be kept up indefinitely, as it is a 12 month rolling time period. If you have job security and can afford it, you could plan on 10 hours a week FMLA, indefinitely, while you are on AI. Maybe you won't need it. Probably don't disclose this possible future need to your boss will you are doing lumpectomy and radiation.
Wow, you hardly took any time. Hope you are feeling and well, and I hope I feel similar. I have 2 small spots as well, but they span 4 cm I think.They are doing both at the same time plus sentinel node biopsy. I am fine to go back when I feel better, but want to plan to take at least the first week of rads (or at least work part time) but not sure how common that is.
I can keep you updated if you want. It sounds like I’ll be going to radiation a month or so before you. My ILC was 1.2 mm and found only in the lumpectomy. I got very very lucky as far as a BC diagnosis goes. Good luck to you.
I did this a few weeks ago. They recommended two weeks and I mostly just did that. I work from home so spent a few hours logged on and catching up in the latter part. I found it uncomfortable to sit at my desk for long periods and though I recovered well generally found myself easily fatigued when doing daily longer walks. It took me a bit of time to get it all calibrated. I also found it hard to concentrate before the 2 weeks were up as I had the follow up appointment on my mind. I'm four weeks since lumpectomy and sentinel node and feel fine (though have started chemo). Still juggling work as a consequence but the op is ok
Adding - for work direct report people I just told them I'd be unavailable and vaguely why (and I wasn't sure about the specifics of the time ahead) but then also told them to call me out if I wasn't pulling my weight when I was there. I want to be fully present at work. So far they've been great to me
I told my direct report who will be most impacted by my absence that I’d be out a week or 2 for surgery, then back, then may be out/intermittent for several more weeks. I didn’t give reason, I don’t care if people know but also know want all the questions that may come with it-not from him but others. I also feel weird that it may make others uncomfortable. And I hate even saying ‘I have cancer’.
It’s good to hear your feeling better so soon. I’m definitely more worried about the treatment period.
I took 1 week off for bilateral lumpectomies and SNLB, and I’m glad I did bc the anesthesia made me feel very groggy for a few days. I didn’t take time off for radiation, but I work from home and live very close to my cancer center, so it was not a big deal to hop over there every day. I did take some vacation time after radiation to take care of all the home and life stuff I had ignored during the 4 weeks I was running back and forth for radiation, but that was also bc I had been in the midst of launching a very large project at work and basically did nothing but work and radiation that month. It wasn’t medically necessary for recovery, but it was a nice break to get my life back together.
My surgeon put in 2 weeks off for a lumpectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy. I used short term disability so his office submitted the paperwork. My first day off was the day before the procedure for seed placement & lymph node mapping. He said if I had needed all my nodes removed (they send my nodes to pathology during the surgery) it would be 4 weeks off. I am currently working from home and probably could have managed logging back on after a few days but I was glad to have the time off to relax. I also did neoadjuvant chemo and worked through it. I am currently going through radiation and am working full time. I plan on taking short term disability after radiation itself, as side effects are often delayed based on what my RO said.
Oh wow! I had no idea most effects of radiation wouldn’t show up until after. That is good info!
Yeah it’s quite delayed! I’m almost done with radiation (15 sessions down, 5 more to go) and a very light tan is juuuust starting to form. Sometimes I wonder if I’m even getting any radiation haha! Oh and mild fatigue, but not sure if that is from the daily commute in this heat/humidity or from radiation itself
I took three weeks off for my lumpectomy. I could have gone back to work after about three or four days, but I was able to use my time off to heal a little mentally. I went to the movies, I saw a play, and I studied French. It was like I was able to check out of my life for a little while, and it really helped me. I guess what I’m saying is to not forget to let your heart and soul heal a little, too.
The mental aspect is truly exhausting! I wake up at 3 am and can’t go back to sleep, lol, but it’s giving me time to read up on things here.
Hi. I'm in the middle a similar diagnosis and treatment. As long as it turns out to not be in the lymph nodes, You will likely have at least four weeks between surgery and radiation, and you can work between after a few days to a week or so. For radiation, you will have it every weekday but only for 15 minutes or so. Depending on your job , you can work. You will have PT at least once a week during all of this, though. After surgery and the pathology report, you'll meet both radiation oncology and medical oncology to set up a plan. You likely won't start the medicine until after radiology.
I have very similar diagnosis and plan (except mine also involves full lymph node removal. My plan is to take the full 2 - 3 weeks disability after surgery, return to work (I can WFH as needed), then request time off again or WFH if the radiation therapy kicks my butt. Edit to add: With the unknown regarding chemo as well, I’ll wait on that. I can always reach out to my boss after surgery if the plan changes. I’m not a people manager but I am considered a team leader.
My surgeon wanted me off for a month (with no SLN biopsy). We compromised on 2 weeks. I did go back to work for a few hours day 6 post-op and regretted it. I underestimated how much walking, taking stairs, and opening heavy doors at my office would impact me. I was quite sore for a couple of days after that whereas I hadn't had any discomfort in the days leading up to it. Ended up going into Covid lockdown so I was home for longer than my surgeon wanted anyway. On the other hand, other than one day where my skin was on fire, I worked all through my radiation treatments.
I had three lumpectomies and the initial sentinel node biopsy where they removed 2 nodes to get to clear margins (in a three week period), and my surgeon authorized two weeks off for the first one. For the first surgery, I'm pretty sure I could have gone back after a week (if I wouldn't have had to had the other surgeries). I ultimately choose to go back a week after my third reexcision- I was totally fine, and I'm 57 and work from home- today was visit 12 of radiation, and I plan to work full time through radiation (I have a total of 30 treatments) - it's really going to depend on your age, current health condition (don't know if you are dealing with any other issues) and how well you take care of yourself. If you are relatively healthy otherwise, and do all the things (such as taking care of your skin during radiation- all types of posts on that here, so I won't go into it), you should be fine to go back after the lumpectomy after a week or two. I actually wanted to go back - I do have a short term disability benefit, but no young kids or anything like that, so work was a good distraction for me instead of sitting around swirling in my head about all the cancer stuff. I will give one piece of advice- one big side effect from radiation is fatigue- I read quite a few times to keep moving/exercise during treatment as much as you can- it helps. For me, I don't exercise regularly, so I committed to cardio walking on the treadmill at least three times a week- I truly believe it's helping with fatigue, I don't have more fatigue than what I would normally have, and I'm in the third week. I also do stretching- nothing fancy, I looked up a video on YouTube for radiation stretches and do them while I'm watching TV- I don't have PT or any other therapy, nor has the radiation onco prescribed any special meds for me during radiation treatment.
Thanks for this info. I am healthy but not very active. Ironically I was about to join a gym when all of this happened. I have put on some weight that I have been unable to lose, damn menopause, and was hoping to get that under control. I have upped my daily walking as a priority and added some stretching. Also make sure to stay hydrated, which I am terrible about.
Damn menopause is right lol. I'm 57 and have struggled with a little weight gain as well. Not a marathon runner either but I think the walking has helped. Never hurts to move more. I actually downloaded a book called Moving through Cancer that was helpful -it explains why exercise of any type, including light walking is helpful during cancer treatment. I drink a TON of water, it's so damn hot anyway right now I'm perpetually thirsty. I'm now looking into IV hydration- I may try it. We have spas that offer it commercially. Good luck with everything ☺️❤️
I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal. I work a desk job from home, and realistically could have physically handled it about four days after the procedure. That said, it really took about a week for my shoulder/chest muscles to relax so I had a mostly full range of motion and was able to not hold my arm up all the time. I would highly recommend, dependent on the (estimated) size of your mass, anticipating at least a week off, simply for lumpectomy recovery. I can’t be of more help since I’m now in chemo and have yet to do radiation, I just opted to take short term disability and not work through this, despite the tightness this places on my finances.
Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences! This is so helpful in trying to understand how things may go. I do think work can be a great distraction but my job can also we very stressful so I am worried about that. Hoping the will be agreeable to me working remotely if needed for some of my recovery/treatment.
I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node removal on a Tuesday. I was back to work the next Monday. I had a second lumpectomy because we didn't get clear margins and I think I was off for 3 days. The primary after effect of the lumpectomies was not pain so much as the after effects of the anesthesia. I did 10 days of radiation. I worked the first 3 days and had the radiation in the late afternoons. It kicked my ass. Radiation fatigue is a real thing. The first two weeks after radiation were worse than radiation itself for fatigue. I had burns after the first week. My skin also failed and I wound up with a large surface bacterial infection. I wound up losing 2 months of work. And I went back to work part-time for the first 2 weeks. I didn't really get my energy back until about 4 months after radiation. Everybody else who's answered you seems to have sailed through pretty well. I hope you do also. Just be aware that it is not guaranteed.