I think it depends greatly on your age and general health condition prior to the cancer. My sister and a close friend worked through chemo, radiation, and a lumpectomy in their thirties. However, when my other sister and I got cancer after age 50 (and we both had arthritis), we could not have worked through it. It also depends on the cumulative effect of surgeries and treatments on your body. If you have had several surgeries, chemo and radiation, your body is going to be weaker from all of that than if you just have one or two.

Am still off work , doc said I could go back this month but I said no , maybe November time would be better. All depends on your mood n how tired u are , take it easy .

My doctor wanted me to go back to work after 2 weeks. Nope! I was off 6 weeks and now after being back 2 weeks a stitch opened up and I had to have a procedure to stitch it up again. I feel that it was too soon for me but the doctor refused to extend. After today's procedure he told me that I can return to work in 3 days. Really?!??

I was able to work through chemo. I only took off the day of infusion/MD appt bc of the length of time it took. I didn’t feel the best but felt better when I was at work bc it kept my mind off things. I took off 5.5 weeks after bil mastectomies and sential node dissection on 2/1. Now am back FT and feel pretty good. Now awaiting reconstruction surgery in the fall.

Susanne you are a frickin BEAST!!!! I am no where near that stage. I get winded going up a flight of stairs. I am often SOB just sitting and resting. I am looking forward to regaining my stamina once more.
Blessings