Oh Boy......first day back to work

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Thanks Moldova...Emily, MM and Crittermom...

Yes I'm exhausted..sat way too long..tried to do a few stretches in the conf. room...I also learned next week my dept has a new boss...God help me I hope he's not too tough..I'm not up to super challenges...You are correct it is good to have more human interaction....gets my mine off me....Emily you are right...the different chair height had me pull a muscle or something to the right of my incision...

I hope to build up some strength..

MM...sorry to hear of your new pain...I hope now that you're home a rested a bit the pain has subsided....Boy will we ever not have to say "oh my back"
darn it's frustrating....

Moldova and Emily how are you guys feeling the weather is so wonderful...but my eyes still keep glazing over from being tired....

Yikes...Heading for a hot shower ..

MAny thanks.:angel:
 
Congrats on your return back to work. That is wonderful and the envy of many us on the board. Take it easy and let others do some of your running around to lighten your load. Good luck and I pray things continue gong well for you.
 
Thanks DP...How very nice of you to encourage me as you continue through your challenges..How are you feeling today, a bit better I hope..

Do let us know, we are all pulling and praying for you.

LAF:angel:
 
Hi LAF,
I'm having a better week. I missed a few weeks at the gym because I just hurt too much, but I started back this week. Amazing how much better I feel when I can get some exercise! But you know how it is. Gotta listen to your body, too, and lay off when you know you should.

The kiRAB' clubs I direct are ending for the summer at the end of May. I realized by the second week that I shouldn't have taken it on. I'm quietly laying the groundwork for not doing it again next year. I'll be so glad when the last meeting is over! I love doing it and I'm going to miss it, but it's just too much for me to handle. I've driven home in tears several times.

I'm enjoying not being cold! Yea spring!!! The cold tightens me up. I'd rather be hot than cold any day!

I hope the new boss is understanding of your condition and gives you flexibility as you continue to heal. Look how far you've come! Keep up the good recovery work! :)

Emily
 
Today was week 12 after my PLIF (one level L3-4)...and back to work today..

Happy Cinco de Mayo.....no margueritas for me..I'm too wiped out and exhausted..Only worked 10-3 and took a 15 minute walk in the perfect Spring weather...but I'm really pooped...Had to rehash the surgery w/ co-workers (you do forget details until you share it again)

AfterwarRAB I had my second PT session.the therapist had planned on putting me on the bike but took one look at my face and instead gave me 3 more simple floor exercises instead..(Thank goodness)

Getting a spasm to the right of my incision...I think my office chair was the wrong height for my computer......therapist worked it out a bit...Heading to bed w/ my ice pack first.

Please pray I can get thru day two...Only 4 hours tomorrow.

How is everyone else doing??? Did any of you go thru this at first??

ALSO...a short-term disability question...I work for a small company, under 50 people...I was out 3 months.....The first month they paid 80% of my salary, and 50% the second month..per our handbook....They then gave me what they called a bonus (which was technically the same amount as the 50% salary for the third month)....At first I thought how nice a bonus and then realized they weren't paying disability for the 3rd month and the bonus was instead... A friend explained if it's a small company they are NOT obligated to pay more than the 2 months....and by calling it a bonus they can justify this and that I should be grateful...

Does anyone know if while on short-term disability ..can you also apply for unemployment?

Sorry so many questions..

Many thanks:confused:
 
Hey Emily and MM...

Sorry you are findign your schedule Emily a bit much..I do know the feeling..in your heart you feel you want to 'cause you're a doer...and mid way through you just "zone out" right...

That happened alot this week...many long days...Could barely walk up to my condo and then make dinner...

Wednesday's therapy session was better.I got back on the bike for only 6 minutes but it felt fine and loosened me up a bit..Also started doing a pelvic tilt, not quite a bridge..That seems to help me stretch some. But in the mornings when I just get out of bed I walk a bit like a robot...It's creepy..Get's better as the day goes on..

Tonight we had a work event/cocktail party..I was able to stand from 5-8pm...I was amazed...People teased me.....they were so used to me ALWAYS looking for a chair....It was a great sense of freedom.

Now I must lay down...The stress this week caused a few headaches, and I was bad...took Excedrin two days...I must go back to Tylenol ONLY.

Stay strong ladies and enjoy your weekend..I think the sun is coming out tomorrow.:)
 
If you are on short-term disability, I am pretty sure you can't apply for unemployment; you must be able to work in order to qualify.
 
Hey LAF ~

How are you doing by today? More sore? Less?? Are you starting to get back into the old routine, or is everything painful?

I've been thinking about you, wondering how everything is going....

Post when you can....and

Hang in there, my friend.

xx M:wave:M
 
Congratulations, you made it!!! It sounRAB stressful but YOU DID IT!! I am :bouncing: for you!
 
Hey LAF~

So how are you by now? You made it through the first week of work AND physical therapy -- good for you!! I hope that things continue on a forward line for you.

I have definitely taken several steps back. As a matter of fact, since Wed. when I had acupuncture, the pain in my thigh has been so great that I cannot walk more than about a block. I am very discouraged. My PT "gave" me a TENS unit to bring home and I am using it but it isn't making any difference. I am going to see my doc on Thursday -- I know he won't have anything to say to me, but I do want to find out exactly what might be going on with my L3.

Hope everyone had a nice weekend, and a Happy Mother's Day where it applies .:D

xx M:wave:M
 
Thanks MM and DP....MM..sorry to hear that your thigh pain continues. What is a TENS unit? And you were doing so well for such a long time.

DP...Hope you got through the weekend without too much stress and you both enjoyed a nice Mother's Day.

Interesting..I tried the bike at my Mom's house and started to hear almost a grinding/clicking sound, wasn't sure if it was my back, or my hip...Stopped immediately..anxious to see if the same happens at PT tomorrow..

Boy I get the feeling it will always be something with all of us.

Hang in there ladies...My thoughts are with you both:angel:
 
Hi LAF ~

Every "first" is an adventure, isn't it? Hopefully it will get easier as you go along with the routine, and get acclimated again. :)

Every time I say out loud tht I am doing well, etc. I seem to suffer a set-back. Today after walking just a short while, I developed a burning in the top of both thighs -- so severe that I wasn't sure I could continue walking and make it back to the car!!

Hope you are cuddled up to your ice pack, and feeling better.

Rest Well! Anothe adventure awaits!!

xx M:wave:M
 
Hey LAF ~

It just occurred to me your fusion was at L3-4, wasn't it? Did you have pain in the front of your thigh?
 
I'm glad you can go back part time. How long will you be able to do that before being full time again? Do you take all your toys to work, ie, heating pad/ice packs, grabber, meRAB? It might help to have more than one chair on standby at work so you can have some variety. By changing chairs every now and then, so you're at a slightly different height and angle, the stress on your back will change and maybe make it easier to get through the 4 hours. Just a thought...

You're probably not going to be able to do much else for a little while, but just like in the beginning after your surgery, you'll see progress and find yourself getting stronger and tolerating more and more. It must be good to be back, even though it's hard. Congratulations on that! Hang in there. It will get easier.

Blessings,
Emily
 
Laf,

I can imagine how hard this on you. But like Emily said it will get easier, I hope. I remeraber when I went back to work after having big knee surgery: I was for 12 weeks on cratches still and in a lot of pain. First week i thought what a bad idea was to rush back 2 weeks after surgery. Next week I was doing better and month later still being on cruthces I was very happy to be back.
I think when you work, you socialize with co-workers time goes so fast. I loved working because it took my mind away from pain.

With my back is a different story. I went back 3 month later and had to quit in 2 weeks. My surgeon did not believe I will be able to do it, but I insisted. Did not work, unfortunatelly.
I hope everything will work just great for you. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress! I remeraber like today when you just went for surgery and now you are back to work - incredable!

Take care
Love and Blessings...:angel:
 
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