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How long for surgery? Guilty for taking time off work

Teddybox
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Hi all,

I recently diagnosed with a lung carcinoid tumor. I am meeting with the surgeon next Tuesday and I am wondering roughly how long between meeting the surgeon and setting a date for surgery? Will it be days or weeks? I am still going in to work but it is getting a bit much for me now and I would ideally like to sign off under sick leave now but I have a feeling of guilt in case the surgery doesn’t happen for a while and it will look like I’m just skiving off if that makes sense. Would be great to hear other peoples experiences of how to deal with it, what would you do etc. 

Thank you.

  • Offline in reply to MargaretMary

    Agreed - it's a nerve wracking experience and an emotional rollercoaster.

  • Offline in reply to Sharza

    I am 26 and very early in my career. I’ve been taking days off for appointments and the odd day here and there. So just don’t want to look bad. An emotional rollercoaster is an understatement!! I think I just need to take some time off to really wrap my head around it and what’s ahead etc. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, especially for someone you don’t know, I really appreciate it! 

  • Offline in reply to Teddybox

    Goodness - you're far too young to have cancer. I'm so sorry.

    Whatever you do, make sure you're fit before the surgery as you will have a better recovery.

    Wishing you all the best and hope everything works out well for you.

  • Offline

    Like you I ended up taking time off from work before my surgery date because work was to much for me. I also have long Covid as well as melanoma and had to stop work because I was not managing and wanted to be in the best possible condition before surgery and the gp argreed. I was off for about a month before my surgery but when I went off did not have a date. Had my surgery last week and now recovering at my parents house not sure when I will be back to work.

  • Offline in reply to Sou85a

    Thank you for letting me know you were in the same boat before surgery, it is really reassuring! I’m so sorry you are going through all of that but glad that you have had your surgery now and recovering. 

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