3 Days Post-Surgery
4 06 2008I had surgery at 11 am on Sunday June 1, and after 2 days of relaxation and leg elevation at home (my wife has been a saint–only if I could get this type of service all the time), I returned to work (high school teacher) on Wednesday (today).
Being back to work was a big struggle. In a job that entails being on your feet for the majority of the day, I had to balance that with my need to keep weight off the left leg, and to keep that leg elevated as much as I can.
I found out real early that I could only tolerate being on my crutches for 5 minutes at a time. After such a time period, blood rushed down to my toes, they turned purple and swelled right up. As soon as I elevated that leg, the colour (this how we spell it in Canada) went back to normal.
Thankfully, my students were helpful, understanding and sympathetic. There were a few smartarses but it was all in good fun.
By the end of the school day I was dead tired. I seriously considered calling my doctor to beg for a doctor’s note to allow me to get a week off work to recover. Another teacher at my school is going through the same thing and she is still at home (she ruptured her Achilles at least 1 week before I did). But I’m tough right????
After work, my wife and I treated ourselves to a visit to a local coffee shop (Mug and Truffle Cafe) to reward ourselves for the ordeal we’ve been put through for almost a week. The latte, hot chocolate and Montreal smoked meat sandwich was great.
Back at home, went to sleep immediately, waking up many hours later to have dinner and make this entry.
I’m still staying away from the painkillers, but I may bring some Tylenol with me tomorrow because the pain does seem to be increasing at my stitch sites.
Off to more resting and recovery.
Good luck to all.
hoss,
i cant imagine myself going to work at my present state . i had to file for aflac short term disability. i am a physical therapist and my work involves helping people in the hospital to get beck to being independent or as close as being independent- it involves a lot of physical work.
the good thing aout this is i dont have to pay for physical therapy when i need it later on . LOL!
i got too brave 5 days post op which is yesterday . my router went out and i thought it is bad enough having ATR and now i dont have internet. i went out to go to circuit city to buy a router . went in there thinking it is a piece of cake . after 10 minutes in the sore - my instincts were trying to look for a place to sit - but there are none . my foot is black and blue and i headed for the restroom and sat there for 10 mintes holding my leg up . Juts enough to get some strenght to go to the parking lot and go home . it was a mess . i promised myself i wont go out there again like that.
Wow - I can not imagine going back to work teaching after 3 days! I could not have done it, and I admire your stamina. And I think I am pretty tough too.
Good luck this week! Think about that doctor’s note - a week makes a big difference!
Trust me, I question every second I am at work.
It is not fun at all. I move around to get what I need done for 5 minutes, then sit my butt down on a hard chair and try to elevate my leg wherever I can (not comfy either). I rest of a while and repeat.
I may be more stupid than tough, but if my surgeon were to provide a note saying I must be at home then I would be. I don’t think he realized the nature of my job, I may have to give his office a call. I’m not sure I can last like this.
Having someone drive me back and forth helps, along with access to an elevator. I would not be there if there was no elevator. We’ve got 3 floors and a ton of stairs.
Wow, like everbody else said, I couldn’t imagine going back to work already. I had my surgery on May 20, and I am not planning on going back to work until July 7, and I am still hesitant to return then. Good luck in your recovery!
scooby,
saw your pics, wow that is a nice slice and complement of staples.
things look good for you, I so want to be where you are at right now.
frredom of this cast will be great, even if it is just a few minutes before they slap on another one.
recover well
Thats amazing that you went back to work that quick. My first week was very uncomfortable, I was in a good deal of pain.
Go get that note! Take care of yourself and get some rest.
Wow, you are a trooper! I am 11 days post-op and was told by my doctor that I could not return to school this year. I am also a high school teacher. It is so hard to be away from school but I am trying to think about the long term and telling myself that it will be better in the long run if I am more conservative now.
Take your time and ease back into things. I am just starting to realize the severity of this injury. I have NEVER missed more than two days of school and Friday was the tenth day I missed…
Hang in there. BTW, what do you teach?
I see the doc on Friday so I will find out what’s going on and give him hell for not keeping me at home and resting.
I am a Jack of all trades at my school: I started in phys-ed but now it is ESL, science, history, geography, english, and religion.
As many say, the first week is hell (that I can confirm) but it gets better. I’ll find out this week. Only 8 more school days for me so that helps.