wondering about the return to work

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thennies61
thennies61 Member Posts: 285
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Well been feeling really good and my short term disablitly is running out so looking forward to going back to work.Will need my doctor to sign a release form which hoping he will but he does everything in baby steps leaving trache tube in longer then normal things like that.I would like to have the peg tube removed also .I haven't used it in over two weeks except to flush it out.Eating 4-5 times a day.Wondering how it is deceided when to remove it.Also is there any vitiauim or supplent I can take to help to get stronger during the work week.I do feel better all the time working around the house and yard but have noticed arms get tired when moving them over my head and remebered was told my arms and shoulders will be weaker because of the nodes taken out.Just wondering if anyone has things that worked for them.

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  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #2
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    wow, it sounds like you are

    wow, it sounds like you are doing great.  i'd think as long as you're eating and not losing weight, the peg could be removed.  you are really moving forward with the healing process and that is great to hear.  heal on, friend!

    God bless you,

    dj

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
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    I went back to work

    6 weeks after my last treatment....like you, my short term disability was running out, and I didn't have a choice.  Asked my ENT for a release, and he didn't hesitate....Like you, before I went back, I'd started putzing around in the yard....walking my dog a lot....I have horses, too.....and there were a number of chores that I could do that helped build up my arms.......just building up strength slowly.....and it is slow....we lose so much muscle mass during treatment.  I went back in October, but fatigue plagued me until January or February.

    The tube was much harder to get rid of....My Oncologist was determined to leave it in till I reached a certain weight.....eventually, I wore a pair of Danner work boots for a weigh in and managed to finally get it out....I hadn't used mine for 2 months! 

    Keep drinking protein powder, to help build muscle.

    p

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #4
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    phrannie51 said:

    I went back to work

    6 weeks after my last treatment....like you, my short term disability was running out, and I didn't have a choice.  Asked my ENT for a release, and he didn't hesitate....Like you, before I went back, I'd started putzing around in the yard....walking my dog a lot....I have horses, too.....and there were a number of chores that I could do that helped build up my arms.......just building up strength slowly.....and it is slow....we lose so much muscle mass during treatment.  I went back in October, but fatigue plagued me until January or February.

    The tube was much harder to get rid of....My Oncologist was determined to leave it in till I reached a certain weight.....eventually, I wore a pair of Danner work boots for a weigh in and managed to finally get it out....I hadn't used mine for 2 months! 

    Keep drinking protein powder, to help build muscle.

    p

    Ensure

    I continued with one Ensure each morning. It seemed to make a difference for me.

  • CajunEagle
    CajunEagle Member Posts: 408
    #5
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    Getting tube out......

    In my case, it wasn't so much the fact of not losing weight when re-learning to eat and not use the tube, it was they wanted me to gain weight by eating orally.  When I finally gained 6-7 pounds, the tube could be removed.  That took a few weeks, but was motivational.

    Larry

  • Guzzle
    Guzzle Member Posts: 710
    #6
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    CajunEagle said:

    Getting tube out......

    In my case, it wasn't so much the fact of not losing weight when re-learning to eat and not use the tube, it was they wanted me to gain weight by eating orally.  When I finally gained 6-7 pounds, the tube could be removed.  That took a few weeks, but was motivational.

    Larry

    Work

    Im looking at a staged return end Aug. About 5 months off total and maybe three months post treatment. For me I think having something to occupy me will be good! Can your employer ease you into it?

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #7
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    Guzzle said:

    Work

    Im looking at a staged return end Aug. About 5 months off total and maybe three months post treatment. For me I think having something to occupy me will be good! Can your employer ease you into it?

    Am hoping for light duty at

    Am hoping for light duty at first.Am going to try to pace myself back into the workforce.HR said it shouldn't be a problem and have a good supervisier.Know it will be alittle tough at first but wanting to build up my engery level.Nothing will easy at this point but doable:)

  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570
    #8
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    I too returned to work when my short term disability ran out.  I wasn't able to swallow, so I needed to use my trusty suction machine to periodically clear my mouth of fluids.  I was very fortunate, because my bosses were most generously understanding and allowed me to set the little sucker machine up in an empty room to use at my leisure.  Congratulations on getting back to work.  I believe that your doc will pull your PEG when he feels comfortable that you can live without it.  It sounds like you are living just fine without using it for the last couple of weeks, so it is no doubt unnecessary at this point; your doc just has to agree, and pop goes the PEG.    It just takes time, exercise, and a healthy diet to regain your strength.  There is no supplement in particular that I know of that will enhance your strength, unless you combine a protein powder supplement with strength training.  I like the gym a lot so I was back in as soon as I was healed and rehabed enough to do it.  Part of my new normal was accepting that I could not push around the same poundage that I did pre-beast battle; so I may not be as strong as I used to be (aging may also play a part), but I am trying to be as strong as I can be.  I take a generic multivitamin, and after working out I pour down a mug of whey protein powder mixed with 2% milk.  Thus, I do recommend the gym with a protein powder supplement for regaining strength, as well as engaging in your favored cardio workout on a regular basis.  Gee, I think that it's time for me to hit the street for a little cardio myself today; see ya...........*  Congratulations on getting back to work, and wishing you the best in re-strengthening.  Keep it mov'in forward!        

    PATRICK

     

  • Duggie88
    Duggie88 Member Posts: 760 Member
    #9
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    Ensure

    Ensure worked great for me. They did take my favorite off the market (Berry). In the event the Doc allows you to return to work with restrictions and your employer does not allow you to return , you can collect unemployment, at least here in PA. you can. I went to physical therapy for 6 months for edema and shoulder issues.

    Heal on

          Jeff

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #10
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    Duggie88 said:

    Ensure

    Ensure worked great for me. They did take my favorite off the market (Berry). In the event the Doc allows you to return to work with restrictions and your employer does not allow you to return , you can collect unemployment, at least here in PA. you can. I went to physical therapy for 6 months for edema and shoulder issues.

    Heal on

          Jeff

    I liked the Berry also but

    I liked the Berry also but now drinking the strawberriy.From what I heard here in ohio I can go on long term disablity which I am paying for.The down side is that they can fire you which means you get some money but no benifits and as we all know we need medical.HR told me not to worry about just make sure I'm ready which is why I needthe doctor to sign.I can't see why he won't unless he wants to see the first pet scan which is the first week of aug.My superviser said there is all kinds of light duty work.The only problems I do seem to have is when I lift my arms over my shoulders they get alittle weak.Then I remebered the doctor saying back in Feb that it will take awhile to get that back because of the nodes taken out.But outside of that feel pretty good for what went on..

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #11
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    Back to Work

    I was lucky my company let me work through both my treatments. Some days I did not do anything but sleep on my desk and one of the ladies would walk over and close the door so no one would disturb me. Then at quitting time they would come over and wake me up and say time to go home Mr. Hondo. In October I will be here 25 years and must say they are some really great people here that I work with. Take it easy going back and don’t overdo it, do what you can and little by little your body will get back in shape. Keep a check of your thyroid; I started getting really weak and feeble and did not know what was going on. Went to my doctor she found my thyroid stop working, after being on the thyroid meds for a few days, started feeling better and now back to normal, what every normal is….

    All the best to you on your way back to work

    Tim Hondo  

  • thennies61
    thennies61 Member Posts: 285
    #12
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    Hondo said:

    Back to Work

    I was lucky my company let me work through both my treatments. Some days I did not do anything but sleep on my desk and one of the ladies would walk over and close the door so no one would disturb me. Then at quitting time they would come over and wake me up and say time to go home Mr. Hondo. In October I will be here 25 years and must say they are some really great people here that I work with. Take it easy going back and don’t overdo it, do what you can and little by little your body will get back in shape. Keep a check of your thyroid; I started getting really weak and feeble and did not know what was going on. Went to my doctor she found my thyroid stop working, after being on the thyroid meds for a few days, started feeling better and now back to normal, what every normal is….

    All the best to you on your way back to work

    Tim Hondo  

    Last week I took a blood

    Last week I took a blood test.The doctor wanted to check my Thyroid and also to my vitiaum D.He said both can be down after radiation and the meds.I was working a 24/7 shift which means I work 12hrs on and 12 off for 3 days then off 2 then back to 3 days on.And it's nite shift.My doctor told me to try to get off it because it keeps your body all wacked out.So have put in for another job that would be more normal.

  • lornal
    lornal Member Posts: 428
    #13
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    Back at work

    After my first cancer in 2007, I worked part time from home - enough to pay for health insurance for me and my family.  I went back to work about 2.5 months after treatment ended (chemo/rads).  I was fortunate that my company had both long term and short term disability, and both allowed me to work part time.

    This time (2014), I did not have chemo or rads, but the surgery is having a much bigger impact on me.  So, 6 months after the surgery, I am working part time.  I have been at my job (computer programmer) for 24 years (not often heard of in this industry), and considering no one thought I would be back, 20 hours a week is a blessing for them and me.  And our long term disability policy still lets me work part time, and they pick up the difference.

    Take it slow going back if you can.  The first time, I worked every other day for the first month back.  After I got back full time, it was a good 6 months before I could actully do much more than work, eat, and sleep.

     

    Lorna 2007, 2014

  • Crazymom
    Crazymom Member Posts: 339 Member
    #14
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    work

    I started 6 weeks after last treatment, but they let me leave at 3:00  and I needed to leave early because I was tired.

     

    Ann

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