Honestly that's awful. What is the next step in your treatment plan? Don't forget it can change. 

My surgeon said no work for at least 4 weeks and I'm signed off for 2 more months now due to chemo and that's likely to be extended. Chemo was not in my initial MDT recommendation.

The Breast Cancer Now seminar I did said phased return over a long time is required due to fatigue and you need to under promise not over promise as that can lead to further time off.

Also going back too early will affect your Bradford score if you have more time off.  Your need to go to your HR and give them.a realistic appraisal of this. 

Hope you are doing OK. 

I'm OK I suppose but like I said spending time worrying. It knocked me sideways that's for sure. I've had tons of get well messages and window sill looks like a florist at the moment BUT nothing from work, not even a get well card (not that I'm desperate for one) but there's no support whatsoever. Didn't sleep well last night, some nights better than others. Glad you are hanging in there to, it's not easy is it....gonna go and make myself look half decent lol xxxx

Hi hun, well my next appointment is 4th October where I get final results and after talking to my breast care nurse she is of the opinion I'll have radiotherapy because lumpectomy and radiotherapy go hand in hand. There is no HR department hun, its a small company but with a large client base. I've read 4 to six weeks is standard...there's no compassion whatsoever just clearly don't care or understand the situation. When I got diagnosed and I went back in, no mention of it whatsoever, like it wasn't happening:-(. Done my morning exercises and arm is aching now....I'll be ringing doctors tomorrow and get another sick note..how are you doing, hope you get through chemo OK lovely, thinking of you xxx

Oh lovely dont give them second though in your work and definitely dont let them make you feel like you have to be back before your ready. RedRuth84 is spot on, treatment plans can change and your better off in the long run taking the time you need than going back then taking time off again. Im lucky my work has been understanding but then my workplace is so unstable Im not even sure if I have much of a job to go back to! Xx

Yes a lumpectomy and radiotherapy do go hand in hand. That was my plan too. Hopefully that's all you'll need. Mine is apparently more aggressive than they thought so hence the chemo. It's not too long until 4th October now. Let us know how you get on. 

You'll have to have a frank conversation with your boss. Radiotherapy itself is exhausting and causes fatigue. It's daily for 3 or more weeks. My sister in law is a GP and suggests being off until after radiotherapy and a bit more time to recover. 

This recovery isn't linear and there are good days and bad. Xx

Hi Jenny, you are so right! Everyone is different, no one knows until they are in this situation. I certainly don't want to be rushed x

That's right it isn't linear and I'm certainly not taking the *** being off, just getting a good night's sleep is all I want at the moment. Frank conversation with the boss, dreading that, she'll talk over me as always and I won't be able to get a word in....I'll keep you posted, thanks ladies for your support xxx

Hi, how are you doing? I've been off all week and planned to go back to work from Monday...still getting nerve pain which has been horrible at times..  got appointment at my doctors in a bit, see what he says...xx

Hello lovely!! Awe hon have they given you anything for the nerve pain? Hope your feeling better soon, what yourself and all of us have gone through is a big deal physically and emotionally, I know you have mentioned your employer arent the most empathetic bunch to say the least, if you can in any way avoid it please dont feel pressured to go back until your ready! 

Im doing okay and healing well, had my post surgical meeting today and my bandages off. Big long scar but its neat and tidy and healed up well. I had my pathology in, the 5 sentinel LN my surgeon took during surgery all came back negative!! It came back as stage 2a, grade 2. The Oncologist on my MDT feels I should have chemotherapy due to my age so waiting to have a meeting with them to discuss it further and see what they think, because Im medically in a grey area in terms of true benefit of chemo they have put the ball in my court but I think Im leaning towards it. After chemo its tamoxifen for 10 years then. Xxx