how long to return to work

Cindasong

Hi:

I am 5 weeks post robotic laparascopic partial nephrectomy for 1.5 cm tumor. The surgeon never gave me an exact recovery time and I was laid off from my job a few weeks prior to surgery so I have to look for a job. I have no more surgerical pain, I do have exhaustion, GI problems. can't concentrate for long periods. I have not been out of the house for more than 4 hours at a time.  I do not feel like "myself" and am just starting to send out some resumes but don't really feel like I could start a new job right now eg, be at my best. I would like to know how long others who had this surgery took to return to working? Many thanks.

Cindy

icemantoo

Back to work

Every person is different. A lot depends on age. overall health and the type of work. Absent complications you should be able to go back as soon as you get that new job although it may take a few weeks to be able to do that job 8 hours per day.

 

 

Icemantoo

PK_Chicago

I had a full radical

I had a full radical nephrectomy of my left kidney and a colon resection at the same time in 2012 and was off for twelve weeks.  I pushed myself excersizing etc. as the doctors allowed.  Once all the staples were out I worked on my core and got back to a full load at work pretty quick after the 12 weeks.  I work in an office. Do what your body tells you - but get moving! Good luck with your recovery!

PK

Darron

Depends

Cindy

I had a radical, not a partial. I am not sure how they compare. I was back at work in 3 weeks, but my job is at a desunderstood it was  understood that if I was tired, I would cut My day short. That is a tough situation, you want to put your beat foot forward in an interview, but you don't want to wait too long.

Listen to your body, I imagine you can tell a difference week to week. Improvement for me was slow and steady.

icemantoo

Darron said:

Depends

Cindy

I had a radical, not a partial. I am not sure how they compare. I was back at work in 3 weeks, but my job is at a desunderstood it was  understood that if I was tired, I would cut My day short. That is a tough situation, you want to put your beat foot forward in an interview, but you don't want to wait too long.

Listen to your body, I imagine you can tell a difference week to week. Improvement for me was slow and steady.

Radical or Partial effecting recovery

My tought which I confirmed with my doctor is that recovery from a partial takes more time as they do more cutting.

 

 

Icemantoo

GSRon

icemantoo said:

Radical or Partial effecting recovery

My tought which I confirmed with my doctor is that recovery from a partial takes more time as they do more cutting.

 

 

Icemantoo

I think Iceman is correct,

I think Iceman is correct, based on what people keep posting here... I went back to work at 6 weeks, but had a radical.  Others with partial seem to take longer.  Also I had a pal pushing me the first week out of the hospital, which although it hurt  a bit, helped me.. Yes I had a radical.   So, as said, let  your body tell you... BUT the mental thought of getting going with a purpose each day may help you move on as well...   I am sure you will get back to full strength soon..

Good Luck on the job hunt..

Ron

Texas_wedge

GSRon said:

I think Iceman is correct,

I think Iceman is correct, based on what people keep posting here... I went back to work at 6 weeks, but had a radical.  Others with partial seem to take longer.  Also I had a pal pushing me the first week out of the hospital, which although it hurt  a bit, helped me.. Yes I had a radical.   So, as said, let  your body tell you... BUT the mental thought of getting going with a purpose each day may help you move on as well...   I am sure you will get back to full strength soon..

Good Luck on the job hunt..

Ron

Man at work!

Ron, you're over here showing off your super-bike but I'm guessing that, in addition to your role as US biking Ambassador, you're also going to be showing off the CSN and SP to anyone who might be interested - is that correct?!

Djinnie

PK_Chicago said:

I had a full radical

I had a full radical nephrectomy of my left kidney and a colon resection at the same time in 2012 and was off for twelve weeks.  I pushed myself excersizing etc. as the doctors allowed.  Once all the staples were out I worked on my core and got back to a full load at work pretty quick after the 12 weeks.  I work in an office. Do what your body tells you - but get moving! Good luck with your recovery!

PK

Colon Resection

Hi PK, 

I noticed that you also had a colon resection last year. I wondered whether the op left you with many long term problems. I am facing a similar op next week, along with a bladder repair and would be interested to hear something of your experience, if you wouldn't mind sharing them.

Thanks:)

Djinnie 

GSRon

Texas_wedge said:

Man at work!

Ron, you're over here showing off your super-bike but I'm guessing that, in addition to your role as US biking Ambassador, you're also going to be showing off the CSN and SP to anyone who might be interested - is that correct?!

T.W.

T.W., you know it..!  Davey Morgan is a well known racer here.. and he has been "racing for a cure" for a while now.. good guy.. we had a nice chat yesterday...  And he is racing against my bike... I still wished him a great race..!   I think I will go see him today and give him a little present..

I wanted to get a CSN type T Shirt, but was disappointed in what I found in regards to Kidney Cancer, so Idid not get one.   However, iIt turns out that somehow around here the word got out about my Cancer and a couple of people were pleased that I did not 'broadcast" a poor me type T Shirt... instead they asked me how I was doing and wished me well.  So, I think it is a balance between awareness and over advertising.. if that makes sense.

I am off to get the day started.. this evening should be our first practice session..  and now that you hijacked this post and I followed it.. I will report on one of my own postings..  That said, maybe in some way I can inspire the newbies here that life goes on, and that we can heal up after our nasty surgeries..

Be Well All..!!

Ron

rainsandpours

Having become a pro at

Having become a pro at surgical recovery, I recommend that you go back to work when you can be comfortably out and about for roughly 10 hours at a stretch.  Might take you a while yet.  But it's probably ok to send out resumes or go on interviews for now.  Getting hired and started on a job can take a few months, with background checks etc.  Please don't push yourself if you're not ready though.  Not allowing your body to heal has long term implications.

 

On a side note:  I've been off work on STD (short term leave) since May, and in no rush to return until all my health issues are dealt with.  If that takes longer than the full year I've been approved for, I then go on LTD (long term).  When it comes to cancer, most employers know it's not a cut and dried situation..no pun intended.

 

Best wishes to you.

DonMiller

rainsandpours said:

Having become a pro at

Having become a pro at surgical recovery, I recommend that you go back to work when you can be comfortably out and about for roughly 10 hours at a stretch.  Might take you a while yet.  But it's probably ok to send out resumes or go on interviews for now.  Getting hired and started on a job can take a few months, with background checks etc.  Please don't push yourself if you're not ready though.  Not allowing your body to heal has long term implications.

 

On a side note:  I've been off work on STD (short term leave) since May, and in no rush to return until all my health issues are dealt with.  If that takes longer than the full year I've been approved for, I then go on LTD (long term).  When it comes to cancer, most employers know it's not a cut and dried situation..no pun intended.

 

Best wishes to you.

Back to work

I believe Iceman is correct that a partial has a longer recovery time.  I had a laproscopic radical and went back to work after two weeks to be a big man.......big mistake. I retreated to my house exhausted and spent another week on the couch watching TV, and taking short walks. I worled 3/4 time after 3 weeks and full time after 5 although after work I pretty muchh watched reruns of Law & Order and went to sleepfor another month..  I think everyone is different and it is hard to find a ballance.     

Eims

cindasong,  like all te

cindasong,  like all te others i would say do not push yourself to go back until you are ready.  it is not just physically but mentally too....i really underestimated they surgery and thought i would bounce back after 6 weeks but that was not the case at all.  everyone is different too and my doc had said a partial was more difficult than a full.  i had the full in the end and i still get tired 7 months later but every day is getting better.  i was starting to go stir crazy at home so i went back to try and get back to "normal" if that makes sense!!!  do what feels right for you and remember you have had major surgery so take your time xxxx

eims x