less than a week

[Traveler]

Hi all,

it's less than a week and I'm still not ready. I think I've been dodging the preps a bit by keeping too busy. And now I have a cold so I'm hoping its gone by Monday so I don't have to postpone. The biggest challenge is just confronting the idea that everything can't get done before surgery. I can't get all my work, all my preps done, etc. So trying to do triage on my life.

On the work and travel front I'm still a ittle bit in denial. I'm still hoping to be back to work on a part time basis within a week of surgery - I'll let you know how it turns out. Most of my staff are betting against it - but I'm hoping. But I have cancelled a lot of meetings in the past week.

In other news, I've been reading the book "How to survive open heart surgery ...". Has anyone else read it? Any thoughts aobut their post surgery anger and frustration? it is true?

Mark

 

[lynn]

Mark...if I were a betting woman, I'd be betting against it too!

I was just thinking the other day, when I was walking my 1.5 miles, about the day after surgery and they got me up to walk outside my room. I probably walked 8-10 steps and had to rest for about 3 min. and walk the 8-10 steps back. That was about it for that day! You have no idea how TIRED you will be!!

You really, really need to take baby steps and take care of yourself first or you will be back in the hospital in no time!

Haven't read the book, I can understand frustration, everyone wants to be normal again, ASAP!

 

[Bradley White]

Hey,

I think it all just depends on how well your body takes the surgery, some just seem to bound back quicker than others. I was doing some work from home by 2 1/2 weeks post-op and was back at work full time 4 1/2 weeks. 1 week is simply not possible. I'm two months and a day now and feel perfectly fine, nearly normal -- probably 90%.

good luck

brad

 

[Marguerite53]

Honestly, I think the best thing for you to do right now is to stop fighting it. If you were drowning in the ocean and a man came up in a boat and asked if he could pull you in....would you fight him? Never. You cannot change this event. It is upon you. It is quite okay to tell everyone (and I mean everyone) that you are going to be out of the picture for 3 weeks at least. Like they say at Nike...just do it.

Then, if you happen to be one of those lucky (and not terribly unusual) people who bounce right back, don't need pain meds to fuddle your thinking, etc..... great!!! You'll be so much more appreciated!

We all ran out of time before surgery. Just make sure that your loved ones are on the top of your list as the days get closer. I had heard of that book, but I did not read it. I came here!

Sure, you'll feel some frustration...but mostly you will have a new appreciation for the sweet smell of the breeze, the warm sun on your back, the twinkle of recognition in someone's eye. I know it's crazy.....but this could be GOOD for you!! It certainly is going to allow you to live a full, rich life.

This is a time-out for you. You gotta do it!!! It's okay. Everyone will understand. You didn't ask for it to happen!!!!

Hang in there. Please get well! Don't let that cold get into your chest.

Best wishes. Marguerite

 

[michellep]

You've got to slow down. I completely understand your need to have everything "done" before surgery. I felt the same way. The day before surgery I had a breakdown because I realized that I couldn't get everything done. Now is the time to rest and get mentally ready.
I'll take that bet. I'm 3 weeks post op and there is NO WAY I could return to work-and I am only 38. I still take long naps. I know that you are anxious about missing work but now is the time to care for your body and your heart. You definately don't want to cause long-term damage by not allowing everything to heal properly. Think of it as an investment. Six weeks of no work, focusing on just your recovery, traded a healthy rest of your life. It's worth it, isn't it?

 

[Adrienne]

Impossible

Impossible

One week is totally impossible to be back to work even part time. Three weeks maybe, but you have no idea what the anesthetics do to your system, and this is coming from someone who had no complications after surgery and where each day was better than the day before.

 

[Superbob]

Mark,

Depends partly on what kind of work you do. I am a writer, and I was able to help my office a little (via computer) with reports just two or three weeks after OHS. But within a week after surgery, no, I don't think I could have handled it. My advice would be to try to relax and plan on giving yourself ample recovery time.

I wish you peace of mind.

Cheers,

 

[tobagotwo]

I'll take another chunk of that bet, and I had a very fast recovery. Work is much more of a strain on you that you realize, in many dimensions. Give it up. This is the wrong way to push yourself. Short-term disability plans allow 6-8 weeks, and they don't like to pay.

If you become bedridden due to sacrificing your recovery time for work, will they give you a medal? Give yourself some credit. You're not only valuable when you're in active service.

Besides, you shouldn't drive for at least four to six weeks (take heed, rckrzy1). If you haven't been specifically cleared to drive, your insurance may not cover you for any accidents. Most hospital release papers for this warn you that you are not allowed to drive. On top of that, if an accident does happen, it may legally become your fault, regardless of the circumstances. Your ability to turn your head and shoulders quickly or to steer quickly and strongly out of danger is compromised.

And who will carry your bags to the airport? Not you. You won't be cleared to lift even a gallon of milk for weeks. Not that you absolutely can't, but it can damage the healing of your sternum.

Let go. Don't try to work from home, or do part-time things that will wind up being full time. No one will really appreciate your sacrifice, nor concern themselves overly with what it costs you. They'll figure you know what you're doing, and you could stop if you wanted to.

Best wishes,

 

[wildcat fan]

returning to work

returning to work

Hey Mark,

read your post and I feel that you should take a moment and rethink about returning to work part tiime . I had my OHS 3 months ago and what I do for a living is I work in the OR at the hospital where I had surgery as an Orderly . My doc would not let go back for almost 3 months . The past 3 weeks at work I have noticed that I could not do everything I thought I could . But everynight I work I am getting better and stronger and my stamina is returning . I feel I am about 85% normal since being back to work and it is really tough to regain what you once had before your surgery. In addition I have been going to Cardiac Rehab 3x a week plus lifting wieghts in the gym with the help of a great personal trainer who knows my condition. But do be patient Mark yes haveing your chest cracked open is not natural . The best thing I did for me was to get into great shape and that has made my recovery so much easier to handle . Hope you do good with your surgery Mark.

Chris

 

[Mary]

Hi all,

it's less than a week and I'm still not ready. I think I've been dodging the preps a bit by keeping too busy. And now I have a cold so I'm hoping its gone by Monday so I don't have to postpone. The biggest challenge is just confronting the idea that everything can't get done before surgery. I can't get all my work, all my preps done, etc. So trying to do triage on my life.

On the work and travel front I'm still a ittle bit in denial. I'm still hoping to be back to work on a part time basis within a week of surgery - I'll let you know how it turns out. Most of my staff are betting against it - but I'm hoping. But I have cancelled a lot of meetings in the past week.

In other news, I've been reading the book "How to survive open heart surgery ...". Has anyone else read it? Any thoughts aobut their post surgery anger and frustration? it is true?

Mark

Hey Mark,
If you're like me, when you're laying in that hospital bed the night before surgery, you'll wonder why in the world you worried about work. Valve replacement seems to bestow a sudden gift of clarity as to what is, and isn't, important in this life.
I'd use this last week to relax, drink some wine, love your wife, spend time with your kids, and look at how beautiful the world is.
You're getting ready to walk into a big unknown; don't triage your remaining time.

 

[MarkG]

Don't do it. After I had OHS for a by-pass I went back to work in 4 weeks part time for two week then full time after that. I was tired and could not concentrate. I got very upset at myself because I could not do the work I did before my surgery. It took me 6 months before I felt comfortable doing my job. I am going to have AV replacement next week and I won't make that same mistake. But I tell you I will be at home just wanting to get back to work and be productive. But I am not going back early this time, no matter how much I want to be back. Atleast that is what I am saying now. I will let you know how that is going after a month.

Mark

 

[geebee]

Hi Mark,

I think it is important to have goals to keep you sane before surgery. Just realize that goals are something to strive for and not absolutes. Don't beat yourself up if you cannot reach them and you will be just fine.

I had my last OHS on the 20th of the month. I tried to do the month-end book close (I am a financial controller) from home on the 2nd day of the following month. I was able to do some things but I was totally unable to think through the problems that came up. So it is not always the physical that gets in the way but it can also be the mental just not being back up to par. OHS is as much an emotional as well as physical trauma. Sometimes the physical can be the easy part.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Cooker]

Step up to the plate and get it done. Also, I went back to work four weeks after my AVR and that was NOT the thing to do!! (and I run my mouth for a living)

Take a deep breath and try to relax. Best wishes.

Tom

 

[marciemarine]

I agree with the others. It will take about at least 2-3 months to get well enough to get back to work. I am a pretty patient person and I had planned on a few months of recovering, but I did feel frustration because at times it felt like I should be able to do more for myself than I was able to. However, in time, I got to appreciate the progress I have made and now, almost 3 1/2 months after surgery, I am working (4 weeks now) and I feel better than I had before surgery. I know it's hardest to be patient with yourself, but you've got to slow down and take it one day at a time. Your body will let you know when you feel well enough to go back to your traveling job. I wish you well. Take care! Marcie

 

[Guest]

Any thoughts aobut their post surgery anger and frustration? it is true?

*nods*

For most of us, I'd say yes. I know it was for me.

Ironically, it was the "post surgery anger/frustration" that helped inch me away from my "evil twin" days. Still not quite sure how or why that happened ... but, for the most part, it did.

GOOD LUCK this week! Thoughts/prayers coming your way....



Cort:33swm."Mr Monte Carlo.Mr Road Trip".pig valve.pacemaker
PICS:lego.HO.model.MCinfo.RT.CHD = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort
"These hands are meant to hold" ... All-American Rejects ... 'Move Along'

 

[Adrienne]

Hi all,

Any thoughts aobut their post surgery anger and frustration? it is true?

Mark

Maybe I'm an oddball but my anger and frustration was BEFORE the operation. Afterwards I was euphoric!!

 

[Traveler]

Besides, you shouldn't drive for at least four to six weeks (take heed, rckrzy1). If you haven't been specifically cleared to drive, your insurance may not cover you for any accidents. Most hospital release papers for this warn you that you are not allowed to drive. On top of that, if an accident does happen, it may legally become your fault, regardless of the circumstances. Your ability to turn your head and shoulders quickly or to steer quickly and strongly out of danger is compromised.

Hmm grump - I hadn't thought the liabliity issues of driving, just the practical issues - how is that I get "cleared" to do anything including driving. I hadn't plan on needing clearing and wasn't looking for a note to go back to work. Like many I can work as little or much as I like and I generally like working - it's like a hobby. In fact I wan't planning on taking any time off from work. I will have worked 50-60 hours this week and thought I would work 30+ next week. But based on everyone's input I'm beginning to realize that this might not happen. But it's like I was explaining to wife last night -- I'm going to miss too much good stuff.

Getting "cleared" sounds a little like when my surgeon said that he needed to make a decision for me -- after correcting him (he needed to make a recommendation) -- I found a new surgeon.