Returning To Work

[JAMES W]

I HAD MY UNTEENITH ECHO TODAY IN BOISE-ID.....I AM 3 WEEKS POST AVR W/ ROOT REPLACEMENT. AFTER 1 WEEK OF PROBLEM A-FIB CARDIOVERSION X 2...THEN 4 DAYS OF CHF AND TAMPONADE - MY ECHO CAME BACK JUST WITH VERY MINOR FLUID REMAINING. MY SURGEON GAVE ME THE GO AHEAD TO RETURN TO WORK ON MONDAY WITH A RETURN ECHO SCHEDULED NEXT THURS. QUESTION ? - AM I RUSHING THINGS TOO MUCH? ALL ECTOPI IS GONE AND I FEEL GREAT. MY FAMILY THINKS I AM NUTS..THAT I SHOULD SLOW MY DESIRE TO BE A PRODUCTIVE HUMAN AGAIN. WHAT DOES THE MEMBERSHIP SAY...BY THE WAY...I'M WORK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT/EMS/FIRE AS A 911 CENTER TRAINER/SUPVR COMM SPECIALIST.....MY RESOLVE IS KEEN AND SHARP....STRESS NEVER BOTHES ME..ONLY MAKES ME MORE DETERMINED TO SUCCEED AND HELP ALL OTHERS.... PLEASE RESPOND...

JAMES W

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi James,

Don't rush it! Beleive it or not, I had the tamponade at week three. That knocked me back to square one. I was so weak from the CHF and the second surgery for the window. Maybe it was the fact I was fully transfused from the loss of blood? The average person without complications should give 6-8 weeks to recover. If you try to go back sooner, my guess is you find yourself home in the afternoon for a nap. You just run out of steam and become limp.

In my case, it was back to work at week 4, even with the set-back. Full time mother of a very active toodler. That was all the physical therapy my surgeon felt I needed.

Take it easy...

 

[Nancy]

The wonderful news is that you feel great. The bad news is that your body is still healing. If you push too far and have to pull back, that wouldn't be a happy experience for you. You have a demanding, physical job. Give your body the time it needs to heal so the healing is strong and true. Little things can still happen, and your doctors are probably still making medicine adjustments.

Be patient for a little while longer, then you'll be in optimum health.

Good luck to you and congratulations.

 

[joy]

I went back to work when I was 2 months post op, and it was too soon. I wouldn't rush it, I would relax and let your body heal.

 

[Ross]

When I did work, they wouldn't release me until after 6 weeks of home recovery. I do think your rushing it a bit. Take the time you need to heal now. If you backslide, you'll be one unhappy camper and your employer will be too.

 

[Mark Wagner]

Ok tough guy ...
Short and too the point ... "Your rushing it!."
Really now, I can only speak for myself, but after my AVR I could swing a golf club at 5 weeks, (just don't take a divot) but as far as work, I couldn't return for 5 months. The reason for me was that in my occupation, I lift heavy hoses. The first lift is about 130lbs, and I lift that on the average of give or take 30 times a night. The surgeon's concern was the possiblility of separating by clavical bone after the artistic wiring job he did on me. If your sitting at a desk not doing anything physical that's one thing, but otherwise, "no rush brother."
Just groan and moan a lot while your wife is in the room, so she waits on you hand and foot. Once you go back to work, it's all over partner!!!! ('')

 

[hensylee]

Depends on what your duties are - you are in high stress work and possibly lifting (EMS) so you need to take this into consideration. Sometimes drs don't really take into consideration the actual job that patients do when they say ok to go to work. Think this one over carefully before you do anything you might regret later. We, mostly all, understand your desire to get back into the swing of things - but at 3 weeks most of us were not even allowed to drive again, much less lift anything. Perhaps an hour/day (in the office only) would help you fill the needs you have? Think about this one. God bless

 

[JAMES W]

RETURNING TO WORK

RETURNING TO WORK

MEMBERSHIP - THANKS FOR THE ALL THE ENCOURAGEMENT - I WILL NOT BE LIFTING ANYTHING HEAVIER THAN A 'DIET PEPSI' AND A PEN FOR THE FIRST WEEK OR SO.....AND THEN ONLY 2-3 HRS/DAY FOR A FEW. I DO REALIZE WE'VE ALL HAD 'MAJOR' SURGERY - AND MAY JUST BE RIDING THE OUTSTANDING TURNAROUND I'VE MADE IN THE PAST WEEK. I WILL RECEIVE WEEKLY ECHOS UNTIL NO TRACE OF FLUID IN THE PERCARDIUM IS DISCLOSED. MY DOC SAYS NO NEED FOR A 'WINDOW PROCEDURE' AS IM DISPELLING THE EXCESS MYSELF. THIS VRR.COM FORUM IS THE MOST 'WONDERFUL' SUPPORT SYSTEM I'VE EVERY FOUND! GOD BLESS YOU ALL -

JAMES W

 

[EVELYN]

Hello James

I AGREE WITH YOUR FAMILY!

EVELYN

 

[JAMES W]

EVELYN,

I'M REALLY NOT GOING TO OVER DO IT FOR A WHILE....I CANNOT WATCH ANOTHER EPISODE OF 'GOLDEN GIRLS' - 'HOME SHOPPING' OR WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM IF I HAD TO...LOL....I'VE BEEN OUT OF THE OFFICE FOR TOO LONG AND PROMISE TO TAKE IT EZ...ONLY GET REAQUAINTED W/ PROCEDURES AND CELEBRATE MY RETURN.....

JAMES W

 

[Creed3]

Hi James,
I remember a few weeks after my surgery I sat down to do the monthly financial duties we all have, I thought it should be no problem because it wasn't a physical activity. I found that once I started, I became very very mentally tired after a short time. I know I didn't give it the full attention I usually give it and I was afraid I had made mistakes. Again, I felt tired and wasn't able to concentrate as well as I wanted. Everyone is different, but please take it easy. You really don't want to rush things. My docs told me that I could go back to work at 6 weeks post op, but my workplace waited and never scheduled me til 8 weeks post op. Those extra two weeks really made a difference. I felt more like my old self by then.

Take Care!
Gail

 

[JAMES W]

SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION - DOC JUST SHOT ME DOWN TO 20 (PART-TIME) PER WEEK. NO MORE WORRIES. A LITTLE TIME EACH DAY WILL BUILD MY STAMINA FOR FULL TIME LATER ON IN THE MONTH. I HAVE ANOTHER ECHO RE-EVAL THURSDAY - THEN WE'LL SEE ABOUT CONTINUING THE PARTIAL WEEK OR INCREASING SLIGHTLY DEPENDING ON FLUID RETENTION IN THE 'OLE SAC'. I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S CARING AND CONCERN. THANKS AGAIN....YOUR NEWEST MEMBER.....

JAMES W

 

[Bob]

Take it slow

Take it slow

I am 6 weeks out from MV surgery. Like you I felt good and ready for something beyond TV. Well I forgot my body isnt at the same place as the mind and after a day of activity I had two days of chest pain and relapse. I know you Eastern Oregon guys are strong, just like us Washington guys but take it easy man. This is a long term deal and another few weeks will pay off.

 

[tlhudson]

James

I just passed my three month anniversary of mv repair surgery and have been back to work for just over a month and a half. That said, using hind sight, I returned too soon even though I started part time for the first two weeks.

Now I feel good, but am still tired when I get home. I am starting my twelfth and final week of PT next week.

Take it slow the body does not heal as fast as the mind.

All the episodes of the Golden Girls probably are on DVD if you'd like.

 

[mainframe]

James,

I returned to work after 3 weeks. I'm a computer programmer, so there wasn't any lifting and the project I was on at the time was pretty stress free. Started out working only 4 hours per day for the first week, 6 per day the second then 8 per day.

Actually was re-admitted to the hospital with bloot clots in my calfs, high heart rate and afib after 2 weeks for 4 days. Got out on Thurs, went back to work on Monday.

Guess my point is we are all different.

 

[richie rich]

i went back to work 2 weeks after getting out of the hospital. i felt fine but each person is different. i am an accountant which obviously is MUCH MORE physically active than anyone in law enforement. i had to pick up my pencil and type into my computer. probably the biggest thing about going back to work is just getting your body used to working again. you will probably feel tired after the day. i used to take naps after work to rejuvianate myself. good luck

rich

 

[EVELYN]

Hi James

I still think your family is right!!! However, part time is MUCH better than even considering full time......why don't you just start your first two weeks with 2 days of 4 hours each or 3 days of 3 hours each.....I'm so glad that you are feeling so well, however your body will benefit more from a walk outside, taking your wife to lunch, reading a good book.....you still need time to heal, man!!! Good luck.

Evelyn

 

[Dave5Baseball]

James,

I know exactly how you feel. I couldn't wait to get out of the house. I was sick of what Montel and Jerry were talking about. too am in EMS, I'm an EMT. I obviously couldn't go right out on the street when I wanted to. They put me in at dispatch and I was working 3 weeks post-op. I felt fine and now I'm 2 months post-op and out on the street, no pain whatsoever. Everyone recovers differently. So I say if you feel you are ready then go for it!!! More power to you.

Take care
Dave

 

[Sunshine susan]

Your body knows...

Your body knows...

James, your body will tell you more than anything or anyone. I went back to work full time at 6 weeks--travel, airports, hotels, restaurant food and office time. It did fatigue me. Although otherwise ready, I do with I had taken a couple of weeks longer. It's been 4 years now and I don't travel nearly as much, but still lament that 2 weeks I coulda had!! Don't rush it if you don't have to......Susan