Going back to work

After having a double mastectomy and chemo,Being off work for six months im going back to work in a week.Im a school custodian with some heavy lifting and physical work.Im around alot of sick kids,do you think my immune system is strong now?Im so afraid i wont be able to do this type of work anymore.Have any of you gone back to work after mastectomies and was able to lift heavy things ok?Are there dissability laws for cancer survivors if they cant do their normal work?....Tammy

Hi Tammy! MK is absolutely right. You need to be very, very careful about the lifting. The lymphodema is not something that will go away. I think that you could probably do the cleaning part but I definitely would check w/ my onco about what you can and can't do. Have him/her write you a letter that you can give to your principal showing your limitations. W/having a double mastectomy and lymph nodes removed, you are a prime candidate for the lymphodema. Please, please be careful. Your immune system will be somewhat compromised for awhile. I know that having my 3 granddaughters living w/ me (2 in grade school) I am careful when they come home sick. Have your onco do a cbc and see how your counts are. You may be ok in that department. Our schools have both a day and evening custodian. Would it be possible for you to work the evening shift? That might preclude your having to lift so many heavy things.

Please let us know what happens.

Hugs..Deb

Hi Deb,Ihad 6 lymph nodes out on left arm and 2 out on right,could i still get lymphodema with that small amount of nodes out? Tammy

Kathy,Did you have lymph nodes taken out? Tammy

My onc. doesnt seem worried about me lifting.Im kinda worried about that...Tammy

Hi Kathy! My understanding is that it doesn't matter whether you had 2 or 20 lymph nodes removed. The problem is that the lymphatic system is compromised. As I am sure you are aware, the arm will get very large. If you get lymphodema, then usually you have to wear a sleeve 24/7. There is no way for the fluid to drain if there is an infection. That is why we are told to be sure and wear a glove if doing garden work and keep the arm covered when out in the sun. I was also told to be careful w/ manicures and getting any scratches or bites on the arm. As for the lifiting, my onco told me 10lbs. If your onco is not concerned, then take it upon yourself to get the documentation you need. I can't believe that he hasn't warned you about this.

Deb

The only place I have heard about lymphedema is from this website.  My doctors have never mentioned it.  Maybe it's because I haven't had it - I don't know.  I was never advised to cover up my arm or not get scratches.  I do know not to have blood taken from that arm and not have blood pressure taken on that arm.  Actually, I forgot about that last one.  I saw my general practitioner last Wed. and he took my BP on that arm.  I didn't think about it until much later.

 

 

I discussed this w/ my chemo nurses yesterday during my treatment. They were amazed that there were so many women that had NOT been educated about lymphodema. My surgeon and onco both told me that I was NEVER to have bp or receive and injection in the arm that the lymph nodes were removed from. There is a great article in the new issue of "COPING" (Sept and Oct) regarding lymphodema on pg. 22.

Hugs...Deb

I will be returning back to work on monday. Yikes!! I have no lifting restrictions either. I had 7 lymphnodes removed. I have full range of motions. They way I look at it I never had any muscles cut so figure I  should be fine. I will have some lifting but not alot. Good luck going back to work it will we hard for us huh.. at times I can't wait to get back and than other times I wonder if I can do it... skeeter1

Well my onc. said no restrictions on lifting and so did the surgeon.I get this wierd feeling that they dont know what their talking about because everyone i talk to says to be very careful for lympadema.I had muscles and nerves cut and i still have numbness and burning under my arm.I go back to work monday and im so nervous about the heavy lifting.Skeeter good luck to you on monday for your first day back to work....Tammy

Good Morning Ladies,

I did not need any node removal but with just the surgeries I had a 20# lifting limit. Thank goodness my DGD could crawl into my lap on her own. I love taking care of her (and now her little sister) and the timing was great. She was walking and could pretty much ambulate on her own.

Deb has a wonderful idea and I hope you call a lymphodema therapist. Everyone is different in what their particular treatment is needed or what we are cautioned against. But.....so are the doctors different and there are some very definite treatments and cautions for certain situations. It amazes me how different medical care can be from patient to patient, to geographical area, specialists, hospitals etc. The list can go on and on. During my journey through BC I find myself going directly to the specialist. The one that handles a particular concern 24/7. Hope you make the call. Good Luck in going back to work.

Thoughts and hugs are with you,

Candy

PS:  Yep Deb it is finally Fall here too.  40 when we woke up with a high of about 60 to look forward to.

Sorry Ladies, got ya all beat (what a wonderful thing to "win") ... three days ago we had frost. My tomatoes are all toast. Ahhhhh the great white north.

Chantry