Not ready to go back to work

I'm about 7.5 weeks post op and at the 6 wk check up the doctor (oncology GYN) only said to resume normal activities(great surgen, but hard to get him to elaborate on anything!). Originally he put on my paperwork for my employer that I could come back 7/15 (that was prior to surgery). I am thankful that they got all the cancer but I don't think I am ready...even on my good days.

I ended up staying in the castle 7 days due to stomach problems and not being able to tolerate much by mouth. I went off the morphine after the 2nd day (was itching) and he gave pain med by mouth that tore up my stomach. Sooo after that, no more pain meds.Was only suppose to be there 4 days.
Also the nurses kept calling him and telling him my blood test came back and I needed a pint of blood due to anemia. He backed me up on the no blood issue. I am trying to eat iron rich foods.
Sorry, I am getting long winded...wanted to give background.

Anyhow, I asked the nurse if that meant that I had to go back then or on 15th or wait till after next visit (8/20). She said probably the 15th.
Well, I am still extremely tired(and emotional on some days). If I am on feet for more than hour or so without a break I get very uncomfortable and sometimes slight nausea. But the worst is the tiredness. Am I just a wimp or just slow healing? I am sure I am still somewhat anemic...
In order to get cleared to stay home a couple more weeks I need the Dr to fill out paperwork. I am so afraid he won't. I have been at this job for over 6 years and I feel like I am entitled to a couple more weeks. But I also know that work will require medical documentation.
And 1/2 days are not an option. I have to be 100% when I go back, not to mention it is a stressfull, fast paced environment.
Anyone have any similar situations with advice. You all have been a godsend to me.

I think I'd wait a few more days and see how it is after all, you this is the 7th and if by the 10th you still feel that way, call and tell them point blank how you feel and see if the will fax the paperwork back to them. I know that regardless of what the original paperwork said, I have to have a consent to work form from the doctor to return and if I don't have it they won't let me work. Plus, I have to give them 2 days notice prior to returning. You might want to ask if you have to have the notice from the doctor because if you do and you can't see the doctor until the 20, they will probably extend the leave until the consent to return form is filled out.

Did the doctor ask you what you do for a living? Sometimes they don't quite understand that you need to be 100% in a fast paced environment, and you have to explain your corporate culture to them. What is your commute like? I have a very long one, and when I told the doc that, he extended my leave by 3 weeks.

In addition to the iron rich foods, another thing to consider is a multi vitamin iron tablet for a month or so. I did that as I lost a lot of blood and did not want a transfusion. The doctor didn't recommend iron, saying I would recover in 4 MONTHS without it. Keep in mind that this doctor recommended I go back to work in 4 WEEKS! By bring up the commute I got 7 weeks, and I think the temporary extra iron helped.

I would definitely ask the Dr for the time you feel you need. I had a TAH/BSO on 5/19 with nominal problems - the usual gas, swelly belly, and hot flashes/night sweats along with a bladder infection. I thought I would bounce back quicker than I have and had to learn the hard way that I can't do as much as before.

I went back to work for only 2 hours a day last week and that was okay, but I did get tired. I went back today for four hours and have had pain and burning on the right side all day and I am exhausted. Of course, the exhaustion may be from so little sleep. I thought going back part-time would help me ease back into things, but I found that the expectation is there that I get all the work done, even though I'm there part-time. My co-workers think I've just been on a vacation having a good time and keep saying you look like you did before, why can't you work 10-12 hours a day? I'm scheduled to go back next week full-time and right now I don't have any idea how I'll be able to do it. Now I wish I had taken advice from the doctor's office and taken the full eight weeks.

You are not a wimp. Everyone heals at a different rate. Hope your Dr understands and extends your time off. Good luck.