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Job vs. recovery period...conflict
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06-17-2003, 09:11 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 8
Hysterectomy: August 20th, 2003
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Job vs. recovery period...new here, need help!
Greetings, this is my first time on this board...I was looking through all the information I could find on the web about...well, you know, the big "H" which I have scheduled for Aug. 20.
I am not really afraid of the surgery (it will come as long overdue and welcome relief....I can't take it anymore!!!) but am really frightened of the recovery period following the surgery. I have to have an abdominal incision for many medical reasons.
The biggest fear I have is not being able to return to work fast enough. I have up to two weeks including my surgery date to be back on my feet and back at the office. I can do reduced hours, and have a "desk job" but there is no room for error here.
Any suggestions on what I can do on this end of things...emotionally, physically, (I've already got the spiritual thing covered, I've been praying since I got the news) that will help to get me back in the nick of time? I'm not asking for medical advice, but just your personal experiences.
I am 42, no husband, reasonably active (if you count running around like a chicken with my head cut off most of the time as active) and work a full time and part time job.
I was so grateful to find this place, you can count on me being here often, how great to find out that there's a whole group of ladies who have already been there and done that!
Wishing you all peace,
Caysie
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06-17-2003, 09:42 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 80
Hysterectomy: July 14th, 2003
Surgery Type: DvH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Job vs. recovery period...conflict
Caysie -
I do not understand why your employer will allow more time for you. If you have worked at your current job(s) for more than one year, you have the option of taking a leave under FMLA. You may need to get your doctor aware of your situation and send a letter to your employer to ask for more time for you.
Your employer should not control how long you can take off for this surgery. I hope this helps you out.
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06-17-2003, 09:53 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 8
Hysterectomy: August 20th, 2003
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Job vs. recovery period...conflict
First, thanks for taking the time to read and respond, I really appreciate your input. My job falls in the cracks of almost every regulation due to our small size.... In September, I will have to run the entire operation solo while my employer returns to school for her PHD and my assistant leaves for full time college. There is no other options, we only have 1 other employee, very part time, and unwilling to "up her hours" for her own medical reasons.
There really is no options for hiring anyone else in financially, and without any kind of disability pay whatsoever, 2 weeks is all I can take before I cut off my income completely. It's crazy that I don't worry at all about the surgery, but only the getting well part, but sometimes life has curves of it's own. I have already discussed it with my doctor, he thinks I'm nuts, but he thought that already...lol
I've got to focus on getting back on my feet as soon as possible without loosing my otherwise cheerful disposition Maybe he could just make an "itty bitty" incision.....well, a girl can dream anyway.
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06-17-2003, 09:53 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 332
Hysterectomy: May 15th, 2002
Surgery Type: TVH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Caysie
Just read your 2nd post. Is there any way that your boss can delay their phd until the next semister under these circumstances? It would be for their and your benifit. Maybe Dr. could up surgery sechdule for you so there won't be such a time conflict.
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06-17-2003, 09:57 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 38
Hysterectomy: May 4th, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Caysie, who is your boss--Scrooge?!
TWO WEEKS?! Are they nuts?!
I agree with the previous message...find out what your options are. I'm a teacher in Canada, and my insurance company is taking care of the eight weeks that I'm medically unable to work, according to my doctor. Most of the posts I've seen are supporting that minimum 6-8 weeks off work. Lord, I'm almost six weeks post op, and I still feel like a limp dishrag some days. Go back to work in two weeks? Hell, I'd quit. I can always get another job...but I can't get another healthy body.
Good luck, Caysie...my prayers are with you.
Monica :-))
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06-17-2003, 10:06 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 8
Hysterectomy: August 20th, 2003
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Job vs. recovery period...conflict
thanks monica! you made me laugh out loud...actually, I have been pretty happy working at this place for about the last two years...unfortunately, this surgery came as a surprise as far as needing it right away...
unfortunately, income wise, financially, etc. as well as the dire straights of my company, this is what it is....if I was able to have the surgery sooner, it wouldn't be such a problem, but can't have it until I get my anemia under control. I feel like I'm whining, but I don't mean to, I'll do whatever I have to do... honestly, until I posted here, I didn't know this was so unusual!
Hoping you continue to feel better every day, thanks again for taking up for me! Caysie
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06-17-2003, 10:20 PM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 179
Hysterectomy: June 5th, 2003
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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My two cents
I am 12 days post TAH (plus A & P repairs and bladder sling). I can't imagine going back to work that soon. Today was the first time I could stand riding in the car for a short period of time (going stir crazy at home, made BF take me out). I feel that I am healing relatively good, but I am taking 8 weeks off. I am a single parent with two teen agers, with only occasional child support, so I can understand your financial concerns. Also doing too much too fast can lead to other complications such as adhesions. Take care and let yourself rest. Let the financial concerns of the business be the worry of the owner.
Levanah
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06-17-2003, 11:16 PM
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Guest
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Posts: 3,168
Hysterectomy: August 20th, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Kept 1 or both
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Job vs. recovery period...conflict
Hi Caysie
The problem you have here is that you simply don't know how you're going to recover. Unfortunately none of us do. You may be fine to return to work at 2 weeks and then again you may still be dressed in your pyjamas lying on the couch. You simply don't know. This is also not taking into account any postop complications that may happen.
Unfortunately it's not a case of just being optomistic either. Your body will heal when it's ready and apart from taking things real easy after the surgery, there's not much you can do to influence it.
As a generalisation though, I think you'll be very very lucky to be able to return to work full time at 2 weeks. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you though.
All the best.
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06-18-2003, 04:33 AM
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Guest
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Posts: 35
Hysterectomy: June 4th, 2003
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recovery
Hi
It was intersting to read your post.
Hey I do feel for you having to go back to work so soon. It's been 2 weeks since I had my TAH and really to be honest I can feel great one minute and think I could climb a mountain then the next miinute I feel realy breathless, sore and not to great at all.
I had my supervisor here to visit me yesterday and I found myself saying to him 'I know I look well but hey it's all in the inside!' I was explaining to him me being of work and feeling guilty about it which was silly. I am on half pay for 4 weeks then I go onto STP (sick pay) and it's £12 per day, it's nothing compared to what I get paid but I have to think of myself and my body getting better, there is no place I'd like to be other than at work but I'm being sensible for once in my life and taking each day as it comes, my work will be there when I won't!
You take care, take each day as it comes after your surgery, you can't foresee the future of your recovery!!!! Thinking of you...
Kazxx
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06-18-2003, 04:38 AM
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HysterSister
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Posts: 6,979
Hysterectomy: May 23rd, 2002
Surgery Type: TAH
Ovaries: Removed both
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Hi Caysie,
Welcome to Hyster Sisters!
Sweetie, you're to be commended for your ambitious goal of returning to work in two weeks; however, I must say that it is not realistic.
This is major surgery. You are having an organ removed and you will have hundreds of internal sutures holding everything together.
The recovery period for a TAH is 6 to 8 weeks minimum, with full healing taking place for 6 months to a year. Your body NEEDS that time to heal. To expect to be back at work sooner is pure folly.
I used to work on a surgical floor, and I've seen the results of what can happen to women with the "Superwoman" complex. Besides adhesions, you could have ripped stitches, prolapses of the bladder or vagina, infections, etc. These complications can occur as a direct result of overdoing it too soon. They can occur immediately, or even weeks, months, or years down the road.
You're going through this entire ordeal for the sake of your health. Why would you then turn around and immediately jeopardize your health? You only get one chance to heal properly, and this is it. Work will always be there, but your health will not if you're not careful. I hate to tell you, but no one is indispensible. They'll get a long without you, and I bet they'll come up with a workable solution. (What would be the back-up plan, say if you quit or something? I'm sure they'd get along okay.) Would there be any chance of moving your surgery date up?
Please rethink your decision. We're not trying to discourage you, but we've been there and we know how long it does take to get back to normal, and two weeks just isn't realistic. We don't want to see you hurt yourself and end up with further problems which could extend your recovery even longer.
Best wishes and lots of s,
Lisa
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