Back to Work at a physical job

[Islander]

First post although I have been lurking for a while.

I had MV & AV replacement done on Sept 28 2010. I went back to work for the first time last Monday. I have a very physical job that requires lifting and being out in the weather. Here in Ohio its currently cold and snowy. I've been real uncomfortable. My doctors don't seem to think I should have any restrictions. Has anyone else been in this type of situation? How did you handle it?

 

[Jeff Edmonton]

If your married, retire and get her go to work. I will probably be faced with the same problem, I am thinking of trying to get into a job where I am not on the road so much. Can you talk to anyone in HR that could help? Not sure how I am going to handle this, I am hoping everyone will feel sorry for me and not be too demanding at first.
Good luck and take it easy.

 

[CATDOG]

I hope it's not too late now, but what about Family Medical Leave if you just need a couple more weeks to feel stronger?
Or do you want to start back now so long as you can skip the heavier lifting?

 

[Islander]

Sounds like you and I are in the same boat. My wife does work. Looked at retirement, I've got 29 yrs and 7 wks vested in my pension. Can't afford to retire because I'll take to big of a hit since I'm not 62 plus I'd loose my insurance. HR people these days have no sympathy. They pretty much told me that if I can't peform at 100% not to come back until I can. That would be fine with me except my FMLA and disability have run out. I'm definitely not 100%, between a rock and a hard place for sure.

 

[Bina]

maybe you can convince your doctor to write you a cardiac rehab prescription, or extended leave request.

 

[Lionheart]

Hey Islander,
Welcome to the site!

Regarding your job, I don't know much to tell you but at 4 months you should be close to that point of feeling a lot better, although I guess it was a good year or more before I felt like I was healed and the surgery pains were long gone.

So hang in there and do what you can to protect yourself. Dress warmly, stay hydrated, and don't lift too much. You sound like a good worker that they probably want to keep and who is use to hard work. I hate to suggest this, but maybe you should slow down and do enough to get by on the job for now until you are back to 100%. Then you can rock out like normal. In the mean time take care of yourself.
Hope things work out for you- each day should get a little better.
John

 

[Islander]

Been through cardiac rehab. Extended leaves require FMLA which I've already used up.

Sorry to be venting here. I'm not real happy with the way I'm being treated at work. You'd think that an employee that has given their employer almost thirty years of service would be more respected, and therfore taken better care of in times of need. Through this whole thing, I didn't get a call, or even an inexpensive card from my employer. Today when they wanted me to do a job that I didn't think I was ready for, they sent me home and made me use a sick day.

 

[Islander]

Thanks Lionheart, I was busy typing my rant when you posted. I intend to do just as you suggested.

 

[kfay]

Islander, It has been a long time since I have dealt with these issues at work, so I don't remember all the ins and outs of the fmla law and I'm sure they have probably changed since then anyway, so I googled it and read this brief summary (http://fmlaonline.com/), which appears that you may have two options available to you..could you be eligible for a new fmla period since it is a new calendar year if you met the hour requirement last year OR, where it states they have to give you the same job, same salary, etc, except if you are unable to do it, they have to give you one you are able to do or something like that...might be worth talking to either your labor board or pay an attorney who specializes in this for an hour so you know what your rights are.

 

[Greg a]

If you are at all concerned about your sternum the McDavid 760 sternum compression shirt works for me with no sternum affords some direct protection and the spandex material gives my ribs some stability I still have no upper body strength as I have a dual pectoral and diaphramflap but I do have some stability




should be available from a sports supplier near you ...I wear mine 24/7
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