Back to Work!

[Kenny F]

I started back to work today on my 7 week anniversary. Being self employed I figured I would take it easy, maybe 1/2 day. Things got busy (my phone rang off the hook, had some new prospects, it got interesting fast!) - it was like I never left. I ended up working till 6:30 with a couple breaks, but I feel good.

I could not have started back to work if I had a physical job, tho. I still get a fatigued/physically taxed feeling whenever I twist and bend and exert too much.

My new insurance co. decided that Phase II Cardiac Rehab was a good idea, so I go for orientation tomorrow. Next week I start 1 hour, MWF, for 12 weeks. I am real happy about that. Are any of you familiar with INTERxVENT? That is the name of the program. I am hoping this program will help get me over the physical hump and back on track faster.

While I still have some aches and pains, PVCs and other general post-op weirdnesses, it felt good to put on a tie (never thought I'd say that) and sit at my desk, talk on the phone, show property - really brings me back to life.

We drove up to KY to see my Mom over New Year's, about 4.5 hours. I drove and it was very pleasant.

I think I could be heading back to normal. Maybe a few more months? All you fresh post-ops - there is hope!!! You will get better. But don't push it - listen to your body. Today mine said go for it - tomorrow it may say go home and take a nap!

 

[Christina L]

Way to go Kenny!! I know your positive outlook has made your recovery go so great!

However, you know when to take it easy - we all do if we listen to our bodies.

Just take it slow, but enjoy being back in the swing of things!

You are having those darned PVCs/PACs too, huh? They have picked up in frequency for me in the last two weeks. Irritating, but I can live with them, UNTIL they go away for good!

Christina L.

 

[fisher6476]

Way to go!

Way to go!

Kenny,
I have been trying to follow your example, so that means I can go back to work in 2 weeks? We'll see. I am really felling pretty good see the Cardioogist on Thursday this week, the surgeon for follow up following Thursday, and hope to get the go ahead to get back to work. It is great to hear you are heading back to some "normalcy". Keep up the good work!
Steve

 

[epstns]

Hey, Kenny - Glad you're up to the task. Hope it doesn't mean that we won't see you around here, though!

Seriously, each time one of our family makes the transition safely back to a more normal life, it helps all of us in The Waiting Room to realize that the majority of heart valve patients are able to resume most of their normal life activities within a reasonable period of time. In this day when we "see" ourselves more as "what we do" rather than "who we are" it is comforting to know that we can continue to do things as long as we allow our bodies time to heal.

As the others have said, do listen to your body. When it says "Today is a day to take it easier" be sure to obey.

Carry On!

 

[dwfreck]

Kenny,

Congratulations. It's amazing to think that you were looking for that elusive license plate number just seven weeks ago!

 

[Tom F.]

Seven weeks is a good time to return to work, especially if you do not do hard physical labor. Based on my recovery, be prepared for days where you are not quite up to speed or when you feel tired and need to knock off early. We all recover at our own pace, however, bouts of tiredness are not uncommon even months after surgery. But then you will have days where you feel great all day ! Gradually, the tired days will be fewer and fewer, and the normal days will happen more often.

 

[Heather Fisher]

Congrats on getting back to work! I was getting really bored with sitting at home and was glad to get back. I do a lot of walking and at first it was hard to keep up with the kids. I adjusted quickly though. Glad to hear it all went well! Do cut yourself some slack though as you will continue to have some good days and bad days. I just make sure I get lots of rest each night.

Heather

 

[Georgia]

Congrats, Kenny. Glad your first day went well.

One thing - your fatigue will be cumulative through the week. So you may want to plan on working short hours toward the end of the week, or only working 4 days.

I started back to work full time at 12 weeks. Five days were awfully tough; it took both weekend days to get up to snuff. I was amazed how much better I did when I had a 3 day weekend (ran into Memorial day). If I had to do it over again, I'd take 3 day weekends for the first month or so.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hey Kenny,
Glad to here you are back to work. But as the others have said you need to watch yourself and don't overdue it.

I am going on 9 months since my surgery and I am still waiting to hear what they are going to do with me as far as my job goes.

I hope everything goes OK for you!
Take Care

 

[Kenny F]

Second day went great, too! Being back in the saddle is good for healing, I think.

Georgia has the right idea, but in my biz weekends are too important - I did learn long ago to take downtime and relax. So that will be the plan - it may mean Thursday off, etc. but I don't have to "work" everyday.

Steve - what are you doing laying around!? There's motorhomes to be sold! Seriously, I was amazed at the change in just the last couple of weeks. Don't know if it's typical, but let's say it is The improvement is geometric - I have felt truly great the last few days.

Christina - PVCs are irritating, but now that I know they aren't killing me I can deal with them, too!

Isn't it amazing how many people here do not have normal jobs? Lots of self-employed, retireds and independently wealthy (Ross) I would love to hear how someone with a structured, physical job deals with this. I guess that's where you are, fyrfytr?