Recovery length

Ease into it
Is there any way you can work part-time at first? I hear that you are longing for some routine as well as a sense of purpose, but it might be tough to jump into the full 8 hours right away.

Remember that fatigue and depression are parts of a vicious cycle - when you are depressed, you don't sleep as well and when you are fatigued, you are more prone to depression. Can you do something else to break that cycle? Do you have a work-out schedule? I'd consider trying a few weeks of a schedule that gets you up at the time you'd normally get up to go to work; instead of going to work, do an hour or so of cardio at home, in the gym, or just taking a very long walk in your neighborhood or nearby park. Then a coffee break and then an hour or so of planned chores (laundry, errands, etc.). Then lunch. Then a trip to the library or bookstore (get to Borders before they are gone!). Then another coffee break. Then some yard work when it's cooler. Then dinner and whatever you'd normally do at night when you are working (good time to do some resistance training or yoga).

If you can do this for a few weeks, you will likely feel better and be ready to go back to work. If not, give it more time, but consider talking to your doctor and making sure your fatigue isn't due to nutrition, RBC, thyroid or something else.

I hope your first day back, whenever it is, goes well - another step towards "normal."

I haven't returned to work, but I definitely think the advice that was given up there, is excellent. I think it was Mary, that suggested putting yourself on a bit more taxing schedule at home first, and seeing how you handle that. Then I would ease back in at part time hours to begin with, when you are ready to go back.

Wishing you well,

Sweet

Welcome
To the forum, great people and tons of experience, history and information....

I too went through chemo for nine weeks, then seven weeks of concurrent chemo and radiation.

I worked from home out of the office from January - August, then worked part time (in office half days, home half days), returning full time after September.

You didn't mention your work so that would definitely be a factor as well. My work is 90% computer related so I have it easy as for physical labor.

Everyone is different as far as treatment and recovery. It's not uncommon to still be fatigued, your body and mind have been through a battle.

As for the depression that's not uncommon in some either. You have some options there if you're receptive. There are probably groups at your cancer center for post or current patients. A place you can talk and share the expereince, your thoughts, concerns and fears.

Maybe even talking with a MD expereinced with counciling and listening....

Your MD's can be a source to talk to as well, there's always a chance that your thyroid or something else is causing the fatigue....

Best,
John

I too went back
I too went back way to soon, so i believe that is why my recovery was slower. I was spending so much energy that the body could not keep up. I very much believe to listen to body, if your tired you must rest, rest is the best for recovery.

mind games are hard, i kept saying to myself i must prove that i am a whole man. turns out i did not have to prove anything.

John

Depends on so many factors
Are you able to eat and interact normally yet? I say this because my husband returned to work 2 months after his last treatment for the same reasons that you cite. Since he was too fatigued to amuse himself during the day, he too became depressed but, there is a caveat, his colleagues interact quite differently with him now. They treat him as though he is a fragile thing (which he is at the moment but nevertheless resents it a little). His appearance is still gaunt and haunted and he is uncomfortable eating publicly with the swallow-gag-gulp-liquid routine and of course, the voice is still raspy and sometimes unintelligible. I don't know if you have any of these residual side effects but they do make normal interaction at work difficult.His hair is kind of wonky too and he is self conscious about that as well.
I think returning to work too soon after such a trauma is not always the best course of action.
As someone else has suggested, try going for longer walks every day for a while. I wish my husband had delayed going back to work until he felt more "normal". The fatigue of a daily work routine seems to have slowed his recovery somewhat. Again, it all depends on whether you feel strong enough to go back to your daily routine.Can you do a reduced work week? That seems like a good compromise.I am new to this board but it is the best source of information and guidance that I have found in my thousands of hours of cyber travel down the cancer road.Above all, keep posting here. It seems to be a HUGE, positive support network. I've been lurking here for months!

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