I find myself in a difficult situation. You see I just got this Great new job and I must go back to work 8 days after surgery. I have a 4.0 cm mass on my right side and have a great aunt and cousin who experienced the exact same thing in their 30's (both tt fortunately were not cancerous). I'm playing the odds that mine won't be cancerous either.
Can anybody give me realistic input on how you felt on the 8th day after your surgery. Any information would be appreciated as I find myself in a difficult situation....I need the surgery and I need this job!
Connie,
I had a TT in January and went back to work after 9 days. I wanted to be there, yet I tired very easily, so I only worked 1/2 days for the first week. You may be able to go back after 8 days, but to be locked into that is a shame. You may need more time. What then? Will you be fired? If you put the surgery off a couple of months or so, would you be given more time off later? If so, you could probably safely postpone the surgery. I had multiple nodules. The largest was 4 cm on my right side, like yours. Everything was benign. Good luck.
I know everyone responds to the surgery differently - I can only tell you about my experience. I posted about 1 week after my surgery (surgery was 4/21) that I was so thankful I had that second week off of work. There was no way I could have gone back to work. I was tired and sore still, but also having a lot of voice problems still. Resting my voice as much as I could really helped it come back quicker I think. I just started driving 8 days post surgery, and drove my son to his baseball game. I maybe could have made it through a couple of hours of work each day - but no way could I have returned full time. I'm just back at work this week, and having a hard time making through the day.
Returning part-time for a week is a great option - is that possible for you?
Are you having a partial thyroidectomy or a total? I had a partial (right side of thyroid removed) in August 2003 on a Friday, and was back to work the following Tuesday. (It was over Labor Day weekend) I was a bit sore and tired, but was able to do my job just fine. I work in an office and do not have any physical labor other than putting paper in my printer, so it was pretty easy on me. Talking on the phone was a bit more difficult but I managed just fine.
Good Luck! Everybody is different, you may need a longer recovery, or may sail right through it as I did.
Me, too. I also had a little mishap with my vocal cord. My job requires constant talking and energy. I was out 6 months.
Hopefully your new job supervisors will understand if you need a bit more time to heal. My District Manager kept asking me why they didn't have a standard time frame for this healing processs. Everyone is different. Most people have little or no difficulties and can go back to work pretty quickly.
NUMBER ONE IS YOU AND YOUR HEALTH!!
Baring the complications some have mentioned you may be OK going to work after 8 days. This also assumes you are given Synthroid or equivalent shortly after surgery. If you are forced to go into deep hypo (hormones not given) you will not feel like working unless there's a cot near your desk where you can nap several times a day. (I napped with a cordless phone in bed with me.)
carroc - today is my 8th day after surgery. I am feeling back to my old self. My neck is just slightly stiff but I know I could be returning to work and driving if I needed to. Unfortunately, my surgeon called and my pathology report showed cancer. I stopped my synthroid and am seeing him this morning for a follow up. Take care. Please know that I am thinking about you. The hardest part seems to be dreading the surgery.
carroc ~ agree with Archie, being thrown into DEEP hypo is AWFUL, (I know cuz it happened to me), make SURE you get meds either prior to or just upon leaving the hospital. Depending on how physical your job is, you should do OK. May need to work 1/2 days for a week , , ,
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It really does depend on your particular situation. I had a TT in Dec 2005 and returned to work in Mid Feb. I probably should have gone back only part time, because I was so tired by 1m and my neck was still very sore, tight and couldn't extend my voice.
If you have to go back, try half a day, depending upon your job, and rest your voice, it you have any problems
(I napped with a cordless phone in bed with me.)
& prayers are with you
m and my neck was still very sore, tight and couldn't extend my voice.
