Back to work @ 2 1/5 weeks

I'm exhausted!! Even though I sit at a desk all day I feel worn out. I'm still bleeding and think my early return was the wrong idea. Anyone else return this early????

Dear jlenkowec,

I went back to work at two weeks (part time) after a LAVH/BSO, and I also work at a desk job...and I was completely exhausted and wiped out by 3:00pm everyday. I think it was way too early to return to work and I can't imagine working that soon after a TAH like you had.

It's so important to take care of yourself and listen to your body. Everyone heals differently and I healed very quickly physically, however, we have to remember how much work they did on the inside too. The exhaustion and brain fog were the main challenges that I faced early on (well...the brain fog is still lifting but likes to settle back in occasionally), however, I did experience slight bleeding when I pushed it too much. It was definitely my cue to slow down.

When I went back to work I walked slowly and gently, lifted nothing, tried to elevate my feet and sit on a soft cushion at my desk...well, at least it gave me the illusion that I was pampering myself. The only problem is that even though physically I was not doing much, mentally I was wearing myself out (which in turn affects us physically). I am thankful that I healed so quickly and I feel great now, but if I could do it again, I would have definitely taken more time off to rest properly. The Lord miraculously created your body to heal itself…it just needs you to give it the time! Hopefully you can arrange to take more time off for yourself...this is the moment in your life to take care of YOU!

Blessings,

Is there any way for you to stay at home and recoop more??? I cannot even imagine going back after a TAH. Not to scare, but at my week 4 is when I started to have problems. Please, if you can, stay home and get well. There is only one chance to do it right.

Oh, way too early! I went back at 7 weeks, and that was just half days. I am surprised the dr okay'd your return that early.

My first thought was "Are you crazy?"...but that's kinda harsh. There must be some valid reason that you would even TRY to go back to work that soon.

You said TAH...so you would have an abdominal incision? I had a SAH/BSO with a vertical incision and I was not scheduled to go back to work till Feb. 27...and that was assuming no complications. Did your Dr. release you for work that soon? There is no way I could have done that.

I really feel for you and hope there is some way that you can get some more time off for healing.

I couldn't even imagine going back that early! I was exhausted at 6 weeks...Its been a little over 3 months now, and I still have days where I am exceedingly tired. If you possibly can, take some more time to rest. I remember at 4 weeks wondering if 6 weeks was too early....it may have been, but it wasn't horrible and I needed the money. If I could have, I would have waited 8 to 10 weeks...Just to feel stronger. And I had no bleeding at all from day 2 on....can't imagine if I was bleeding what it would have been like...Holy moly! Courage dear..you truly have courage!

I returned to work after three weeks. Week one was just two days, Tuesday and Thursday and then I was back full time. I was exhausted in the beginning and still am some days. I am the Manager of a very large call center and I tried working from home for the first couple weeks, but found I was more stressed worrying about things happening at the center while I was not there. When I had my six week check-up last week I confessed to my Dr. that I did not take the full six weeks off and she was ok with that. She said "You know your body better than anyone" and she is right. I healed quickly.

Thanks for all the replys. I went back last Wed and ended up taking Thursday off. I worked Friday and this Monday but I'm home today. It's slow going but I hope to be back for good tomorrow. I think my yo-yoing might confuse my co-workers thinking I'm taking days off "just because". I do feel pretty good, but boy do I get tired! By the end of the day, my abdomen feels sooo tight and seems to pull. Is this normal?

Thanks again!
Jennifer