Work

[Barbara Stewart]

I think I wrote excitedly about getting a job three weeks ago. W-e-l-l, I made it about two weeks, not full ones either. I was a cashier at Sam's Club. I went in the first day and did just fine, but they gave me 8 hour shifts and with each day I got tireder and tireder (is that a word?). Even two days off didn't give me enough time to rest up. My last day was the 4th of July and I was just beat. I asked to be taken off the schedule and dragged myself home.

I have to face the fact, I am still not the strongest person in the world. It's another dose of reality I have to take. I don't like it one bit! Ironically, my stock broker told me that her company has a cadre of temps who fill in when the receptionists are out. I'm going to talk to her next week. That may be the right thing. The work would not be every day and it would not be physically strenuous.

I'm not sure what I'm getting at here, but I read all the posts from people who have been reborn after their OHS and I feel that somehow I haven't done it right. Can some of you who still have some physical limitations write and tell me about them? It's not like I can't use a limb or something, I'm just not very strong and get tired. I'm six months post second surgery. Is this the best I can expect?

To those of you who are doing great, congratulations! I wish you the best.

Barbara

 

[geebee]

Barbara,
I, too, have had difficulties with full-time work since my last OHS. It was a constant struggle to stay in shape and keep up my strength in order to be successful in my jobs. When I moved back to Ohio in 2004, I made a choice to only work part-time as my last full-time job in the coporate financial world just became too tiring.
I started working part-time (25 hours/week) as a controller for a small telecom company in 2004. About 8 months ago, I took another part-time job (14 hours/week) for a fire company. I alternate days so my hours change and some days I can sleep in longer. I have insurance with one of the jobs and, although the pay is less, I try to cut back on expenses because I can handle the workload most of the time. It is still a struggle sometimes but a lot less than the demand of a full-time job.
I feel born again because I am just happy to be alive. However, from a stamina side, I am not where I would like to be. I guess life is full of trade-offs sometimes.
I hope you are able to find a balance that gives you peace.

 

[Georgia]

Barbara, I really think you're expecting a lot just six months after your SECOND ohs, with the previous being only 7 months prior to that.

Standing on your feet all day at Sam's is not an easy job. At six months out after my first ohs I was still exhausted at the end of the day, and I had an office job. The exhaustion doesn't come just from the physical effort, either; it comes from mental stress - and the stress at Sam's of listening to all the noise and chat and being polite - well, no wonder you couldn't handle full time.

You heart had two major insults, and will not let you do more than you can - that's why you simply shut down.

I think you need to get a really truly part time job and build up your stamina. And let your body heal.

And be sure you continue to get plenty of aerobic exercise - either cardiac rehab or lots of walking.

btw - I really didn't feel back to full strength until about 12 mos. out.

 

[Sherry]

Barbara, I would definitely echo what Gina and Georgia have said. You've been through a lot, especially after back to back surgeries. Give yourself time to heal, and maybe that receptionist position may be where you need to start. I remember going through surgery and a pericardial window the summer of '97 and going back to teach junior high at the end of September. Geesh, it about did me in, I can tell you that. But...I got stronger as the year went on. I just knew my limitations.

BTW, seven years before my OHS, I worked the line at a Sam's Club in Indianapolis while I was going back to school. The job was very strenuous with all that lifting. I can certainly understand why after two OHS's you were getting exhausted. That's a tough job for sure. Take care and be good to yourself. You'll feel better in time.

 

[TikTak]

You have my sympathies. It's been more than 12 months since my OHS and I still waiting for the day I'll feel alright. I don't feel like I got fixed and got my life back more like I'm still alive.

 

[Christina]

I think it took me a good

I think it took me a good

18 months to feel back to normal from back to back AVR surgery in 8/2000.
My husband and I own a small pool service/maintenance company, and I thought I could go back to work after 4 months but my husband could see I was far from ready. I finally went back to work part-time after 7 months. My work is physical and let me tell you, handling those long poles was a real chore at first. I thank my husband for seeing my limitations at that time and allowing me to stay home another 3 months to get stronger.
To this day, I am still working part-time and I like it that way.

 

[dj/utvolsfan]

Hello,
I totally and completely understand where you are coming from. I'm three months post-op and have not been back to my teaching job since end of March. Going back in fall, but in the meantime started this week as a cashier at Krogers! Whew! I picked a great time . ....Krogers has this huge sale going on.... buy 4 of the 12 cans of soda cartons and get a ton package of dasani water free......geez. By the end of the day, the cartons weigh 100 pounds each and the water defintely up to a ton and a half. I feel so weak by the time I get home! I am very much a whipped puppy. I have a big event coming up real soon and I really want to continue walking my 2-4 miles a day and working out as usual...but for right now...there is absolutely no way I think I can do it...especially after an 8 hour shift. Maybe I just need to pace myself and try walking before or after a 5 hour shift and go from there. But like you, I am becoming
'tireder and tireder" each day...yep, I think we will say that is a real word for this particular situation.
Bottom line....I think ohs takes a heck of a lot more out of us than we realize. It's easy to push ourselves and feel the exhausting affect, but I honestly think it will get easier as time passes and our bodies recover more and more. I think you are right on the money about getting a desk job for the time being! Just don't be too hard on yourself. People here keep saying it can take up to a year or so to really feel back to normal again!
I hope you get there sooner than later!
Debbi

 

[Lynlw]

I'm sorry it didn't work out , but agree w/ the others it's still early especially since you had the 2 OHS. I don't know if you have enough college credits, but I have a bad back and before i was perm disabled one of the the things I did was a sub teacher. it was good for me because I just taught the little ones and really like little kids and when they would call in the morning to see if I wanted to work, if my back was bad I could just say no and it was fine, there are a couple school districts by me so I subbed for a couple so if I felt well enough to work 5 days I usually could and on weeks I just wanted to work a day or 2 that was fine, and the money was pretty good compared to other part time jobs i looked at , lyn

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Work

Thank you all for your words of support. I'm relieved that others have had difficulties with stamina post surgery. I noticed that it was all women who responded. Do we get more tired than men, or do we just admit it more readily?

Thanks again,
Barbara

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Barbara -

Have you been through a Cardiac Rehabilitation course?

If not, I highly recommend it, or at least a regular (approved) exercise plan.

FWIW, I didn't feel I had reached my full surgical benefit until 18 months after my AVR (which was my second OHS).

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Work

Al,

Yes I did cardiac rehab, but it made me very tired over the week that I wasn't going regularly. It was also across town and with the price of gas, I felt it was too much. I walk, but this recent attempt at work has left me exhausted so I've cut back on my distance. I'll be back at it going further as soon as this fatigue lifts; any day now.

Barbara

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Al,

Yes I did cardiac rehab, but it made me very tired over the week that I wasn't going regularly. It was also across town and with the price of gas, I felt it was too much. I walk, but this recent attempt at work has left me exhausted so I've cut back on my distance. I'll be back at it going further as soon as this fatigue lifts; any day now.

Barbara

Hmmm...

Actually, you need to push yourself (but not too much) in order to BUILD your endurance. Resting and waiting for the "fatigue to lift" only means it will be LONGER before your are able to increase your tolerance for exertion.

IMHO, the best plan is to push yourself until you feel tired, then REST to recover. Increase your exercise at a slow but steady rate and your stamina should improve. This will take time but it does work. You may need some guidance from a trainer or nurse or ... The rehab nurses have a very good understanding of how to proceed.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[sue943]

Barbara, I was quite relieved, in a way, to read you post. I have been awestruck at the speed many people appear to have returned to work, I thought that I was a wimp. I returned to work just over four months post-op but lost my job as soon as I walked through he door. Then nearly four months ago I started temping and after just over two weeks I couldn't take any more, I felt so awful, and walked out. Wednesday I have an interview for a job and am trembling at the thought, this is my first job interview in more than 41 years. The job would be relief working. If I don't get this job I might apply for a therapeutic work placement, or give up even trying to return to work. I am only 16 months off being able to collect my retirement pension.

 

[marky]

Barbara..
I think standing on hard floors all day is exhausting!! I can't stand on mall floors or store floors without getting pain in my legs/backs etc and getting totally exhausted.

I agree I think you need to build up to it.. maybe start with 3 full days or 5 half days.. take your time..
I am sorry this job didn't work out, but something better may be coming along ..
and maybe one you won't have to stand on those floors!

I am only 2mo out and I could never work full time yet.. I know my limitations!

 

[Der Biermeister]

I walk, but this recent attempt at work has left me exhausted so I've cut back on my distance. I'll be back at it going further as soon as this fatigue lifts; any day now.

Barbara - FWIW, you might want to try walking very early in the morning - right at sunup. Also the coolest part of the day. For me, I have much more energy doing it at that hour than later in the day, especially after I work for six hours. I am 3 months now - and feel pretty strong BUT I also work a very physically easy job ... and I will admit that this tires me compared to a couple of years ago.

So ... don't beat up on yourself ... I think you actually did remarkable for as long as you did at that kind of work. And everyone else here is saying the same thing.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Work, continued

Work, continued

Thanks everyone,

I love you guys. I never feel put down or criticized when I come here. I did feel a bit like a failure, but your kind words helped. Actually another opportunity has happened along. My investment rep has told me that her company has temps to sit in for the receptionists when they go out. That would be a low stress job and not steady work. I haven't felt God's presence in my life since I got sick last year, but I'm beginning to think He's still there working, just not at the rate I'd like.:

I'll keep you up to date on the soap opera that is my life. Oh yes, BTW my husband got a job and it's here in San Antonio so we don't have to move!

Thanks again

Barbara