Hi! My husband was recently diagnosed with cancer of the small intestines. He was confined for a week because of all the blood he had lost. He is working as a security personell at the embassy, a very stressful job. My question is, should he be going back to work before the operation or should he stay at home and rest to avoid all the stress and heave work?
Hi, Thanks for writing in. A patient having small intestine cancer with bleeding should be taking rest for some time. His body is weak, and he is not fit to work as a security person as it involves a lot of physical and mental stress. He might take up a desk job if possible which might be less stressful. Doing a security job is not recommended at the moment due to his health condition. He should also be provided nutrition and vitamins as recommended by his doctor. Since cancer treatment is a stressful period, please help him by giving emotional support and trying to know if he is having any pain in the abdomen for which he might require pain relief medicines. You might make a request to his employer to provide alternate employment. Following his surgery he might require few weeks rest. Please do not worry.