ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: kabby on May 06, 2009, 07:31:18 pm
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OK--I am aware that everyone's recovery is different, but yesterday the doctor informed me that I should plan on at least two months off work while recuperating from translab and I was thinking it would be more like two weeks or so. Does that sound right? I really was counting on a much shorter time since I am self-employed and don't get disability or unemployment or any other income if I don't work!
And, did anyone here do anything special to get themselves physically ready for surgery? I am in pretty good shape, but was thinking about increasing Vit. C intake and was just wondering if any body had any tips on quick healing.
K
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K .....
This is a tough one because as you say everyone is different. Some of this you will not know until after surgery because none of us who have had surgery knew for sure what the outcome would be until afterwards. If you are already SSD, that will not be an issue. So much depends upon exactly where the tumor is located and whether your facial nerve is salvageable. Some of us have had significant balance problems, some not. Some have had headaches, some of us have not.
You do not say what your self-employment is, but it is entirely possible you could resume some types of work at two weeks out. If at all possible, it would be wise to plan on the two months and then be delighted when the time is much shorter.
The jury is still out on the value of Vitamin C intake. I would certainly check with your surgeon about that ..... some vitamins increase bleeding potential and should be stopped before surgery. Just make sure they are aware of what you have been taking. I, personally, take extra vitamin C when I feel a cold coming on and whether it really helps or not, who knows ..... but it makes me feel like I am doing something.
Keep us posted on when you have surgery and how you are doing.
Clarice
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I went back to work two weeks after a translab......the stupidest thing I have ever done in my entire life!! I was dizzy, so nauseous, continuous headaches from hell and facial pain. My weight dropped so drastically in a three month span, I looked dreadful. Not to mention my cognitive stills went down the drain. I worked 17 months full time, run a household and almost had a nervous breakdown. I finally had to go on disability this time last year.
It wasn't until this time last year I went on antidepressants and Neurontin. At the moment I really do not know when I will return to work or if I will ever return. Last week four out of seven days I was immobile because of headaches. I couldn't even make dinner for my four sons and husbands. I just got caught up on my laundry yesterday. If I returned to work I'm sure I would receive a pink slip the first month I was back because my attendance would be poor.
Now this is just my experience, everyone is different. You have to listen to your body. I didn't, if I did who knows how different my outcome would have been.
The best of luck,
Anne Marie
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I couldn't even make dinner for my four sons and husbands.
I can't resist... How many husbands do you have? ;D :D ;D
But seriously, to answer the question, K...
I allowed myself 8 weeks just in case, and returned after 6 weeks. I could have returned after 2 weeks if driving wasn't such an issue, but my balance nerve was largely intact so I struggled, and still struggle, with lots of light-headedness when I turn my head left/right/up/down. You said you are self employed, but do you have to do much driving? That could be a hurdle.
Otherwise, it's like what's already been said. Everyone is different and has different post-op issues. I'll put in a good word for you with the big guy and hope it shortens your recovery time :).
Ernie
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Opps, the secret is out.... ;D How did I miss that?
I only have ONE, the same ONE for 25 years ;)
Anne Marie
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Hi Kabby,
I think staying in good shape is very important right up until surgery. 2 weeks I think, for recovery, is a bit optimistic. Even if you're feeling more normal, less pain, etc, the fatigue is tough. I still need more rest, sometimes it feels like A LOT more rest than what I used to get by on (but I'm still able to do a lot of active things, but I'm also 3 months post op).
I'm not sure about lots of vit C, but I do TOTALLY agree with Clarice, when I have a cold, or am getting a cold, I make sure i'm taking lots of vit C. I think it helps more than anything.
There was someone else (not sure who) who wrote a while back about different vitamins and maybe more homeopathic things that she was taking prior to surgery. I'm sorry I can't remember her name, or what topic it was under (gee, I'm not much help). Jan always remembers stuff like this! And if she doesn't remember, she DOES know how to walk you through getting pictures on here.
Sorry for getting off topic... I do wish you the best and I hope you can find a way to get back to work, but to get plenty of needed rest as well. I hope and pray your recovery goes well.
I work from home (when I do bookkeeping) and could resume some computer and other duties a few weeks post op, but it wasn't full time. I also play piano at church, which encompasses 5 hours on Sunday (2 services). I was able to go back to that after about 4 - 5 weeks, but rested a bit between the two services.
Keri
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Everyone recovers at a different pace, but 2 months seems excessive.
Most doctors generally say 6 weeks.
A lot depends on your line of work and the side-effects you encounter post op.
I work a desk job and returned part-time 2 1/2 weeks post op. I returned full time 4 weeks post op.
But my biggest permanent "issue" after my AN surgery was being SSD. I was very fatigued and had the normal dizziness and balance issues, however, they really had no bearing on my sitting at my desk and doing my job. They also didn't interfere with me supervising my staff.
If my job was more physically demanding or if I had encountered bigger side-effects (infection, CSF leak, continuing double-vision, etc) I probably would not have been able to return to work as soon as I did.
Jan
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I was operated on January 27th and returned to work the following February 27th.
;D
Neal
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I was off for five weeks.
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Hi K: I went back to work 2 months post surgery. Felt like I could have stayed home longer due to all the post op issues I was dealing with. 2 months after starting work, I started Vestibular Therapy due to continued balance issues.
Always good thoughts, Nancy
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As one doctor told me, plan on the recovery to take 6-8 weeks, and if you recover sooner, then you will be happy. If you plan on any less, you will be disappointed. I also am self empoloyed, and I was checking e-mails about 72 hours after the operation when I arrive back home. HOWEVER, my first visit to the shop didn't happen until the end of the second week, and I really am not back to full time yet. Before leaving for the Grand Event, I set up a good remote station at the house. So I can get done the work via email that is necessary and then crash on the bed or couch for a nap. Be sure to get your sleep. My only mistake has been to underestimate how important rest and sleep really is to the long term recovery. Just listen to your body, and it will tell you when you need to rest. This is the fourth week for me now, and the progress is solid and steady! Good luck and enjoy the ride!
SteveK
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Hi Kabby,
I'm in the same boat, only I lost my regular magazine gig in Jan (my bread & butter) & found out a month later of my condition. I feel like my work life has been on hold, haven't wanted to commit to any long term projects. I live in the SF area & everything seems to take a month for appts, surgery etc... I'm also concerned about getting back to work post-op. It seems everyone's side-effects are different.
I can totally relate. Hopefully you've socked away enough to carry you through this challenging time.
Take care,
Carolyn
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Kabby -
I forgot to mention in my prior response, that recovery is not a race. Neither are the milestones (being released from the hospital, returning to work, driving again, etc.,) associated with recovery.
So please don't set your benchmarks by someone else's results. It's important to remember one of the ANA mantras "Everyone is different".
While it's great to have goals with specific dates attached, you'll find that doing things at your own pace will be what works best for you.
Have patience and listen to your body - it will definitely let you know what you're ready to do and when you're ready to do it.
Jan
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Yep. Everyone is different. My vestibular nerve had not been affected at all prior to surgery, so I had lots of balance issues post op. Slow and easy and LOTS of rest (and walking) :)
I went back to work 1/2 time at home at 6 weeks and full time back in the office at 8 weeks. And even then, that was tough. I was driving and felt pretty good, but the fatigue was hard to deal with, and with the fatigue comes the wonky head and balance issues. I'm an IT analyst, so with that goes lots of thinking and understanding of different IT systems and how they all work together, which I'm sure didnt' help the fatigue any.
So, personally I don't think 8 weeks is at all unreasonable at all. And if you are up to returning earlier, then a pleasant surprise.
Cathy
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Hi,
I went back to work at 6 weeks part-time, then full time at 8-weeks. I probably could have used a couple of additional weeks off but I was going crazy with boredom.
Best,
Marci
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As others have said it we are all different ...
personal experience
I had surgery on July 2 and figured on going to work full time the first full week in August when school
started back ... they held the full time position open for me until the end of August and filled it when I told
them I wouldn't be back anytime soon ... at that point I had to walk all the time touching a wall or hand on
someones shoulder (looking back I should have gotten a walking stick )
I had been working in the school cafeteria ... from 6:00 -9:45 and again from 10:30 til 12:30 you don't stop
moving ...from 7:15 til 7:45 we feed about 200 kids breakfast and clean up and start lunch...some lunch is started when
we started cooking breakfast at 6:00...we have 9:45-10:15 to eat lunch (or rather brunch) and go to rest room ...
then lunch starts and it is crazy...
the wash window is the slowest but still fast paced and you have to keep up with the kids shoving stuff at you rinsing it off ,
sorting , putting on appropriate rack and then pushing rack onto conveyor to go to the dish washer... run pull stuff off the clean
end and re-stack on cart and run it to the far end of line down a 30 foot hall so the clean trays and utensils can be used
again... we have a small cafeteria that was built when the school had about 125 kids K-12... school has been added
to several times and we now have 500 kids and not enough room for a lot of feeding equipment ... they just added
refrigeration and cooking euipment....
all the movement and speed would kill me first day ... balance and headaches have kept me from returning ... and I had to
turn down the full time position when it was offered ... everyone rotates ...if I dumped a load of trays it would be no big deal...
if I was on the line and dumped a tray of of fried chicken or pizza it would be ... a tray of pizzas is three layers of 4 pizzas ...
each pizza is about 2 pounds ... 32 pounds is not alot but the size of the trays and they way you have to spread your arms to
hold and carry from prep to oven then from there to warmers was hard before surgery and would toss my balance off
one day pre surgery , I used one of the pedometers the school uses to track miles walked by students in BC-BS Walking Works
health program and I walked approximately 6 miles in that time ...from freezers at far end of hall to the other end where we
add in clean trays is only 50 feet ... the speed and all the turning is something I am not able to do anymore ...
all that said is just to say what I had been doing and before surgery and had planned on taking on full time I still can't do 22
months later ... so now I go to school as a volunteer and free up teachers from having to do stuff like making copies , leaving class
to run Chapter or Title students in lower grade to the places they should be , tutor etc ... I have subbed some in class rooms
but mostly half days ... just started lyrica in January and have had few headaches since , which is what has
kept me from subbing alot or doing whole days ... this past two weeks I have subbed for 5 1/2 days for teachers trying to use
up paid days they haven't used before school lets out ... also had 16 hours of volunteer time logged ... I am hoping by the time
school starts back in August I can apply for a full time aide job ...
we also own a farm and I am kinda useless here anymore ...or rather just not as useful ...I don't do sorting of cows because
they are alot bigger than I am and getting trampled is not anything I want to try :o... when we vaccinated a few weeks ago it
meant my husband had alot of extra leg work but I made myself a step up and platform kind a thing on outside of chute and
could load syringes and poke cows from above them , then pour on liquid wormer ... :D (don't I find glamorous work) ...
while it was a vital part of what we needed to do I felt something not quite anger at not being able to work the pen and
sort out animals and head them down the chute ... it also took about 2 hours longer
my advice would be to plan for the 2 months but not hold yourself to it ... if you can start back sooner great ...if not give
yourself time ... I beat myself up and would make myself depressed thinking of what I couldn't do and wasn't seeing what I
could do ...had to slow down and take stock and give myself permission to not feel good and not be as useful as I thought
I should be ... when we worked the herd I caught myself getting into that self pity mode for what are now it appears
permanent changes in my life as far as balance ,movement and speed issues ...
like MAlegent said she had to go do something to keep boredom at bay ... I go in on my own time and work fro free
because if I sat in the house all day I would die of boredom ... and we have no neighbors to visit or much to see besides
cows and 50 chickens ...a few cats and dogs ... I need to be out and around people to keep my mind active and working ...
or else boredom leads to over thinking which leads to irritation then depression ...
I hope you have a speedy recovery and get back to what ever it is you do soon ... but as we have all learned it is
different for us all ... take your time and don't push yourself until like me you are beating yourself up... find what you can
still do , do it and work up
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Wait, there was something else you asked--pre-op I increased my workout routine. I'm convinced being in shape helped me to recover pretty quickly.
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Getting in the best physical shape I can is my pre-op goal. I'm not in bad shape for an over 50 woman--losing 5 lbs. probably wouldn't hurt--, but no more days off until Surgery (even though I don't have a date yet). Yesterday--45 minutes of Yoga and then 5 miles of walking. The weather is gorgeous and I think being in good shape mentally and physically will be my best bet especially since it seems to keep the panic at bay, too. And I will be upping the Vitamins until a week or two before.
Thanks for all the help!
K. :)
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Kabby, I am 8 weeks out and returning to work next week. I don't plan on putting in full days and no one is pushing me to do so. I still have some balance issues but not bad. The reason I am not planning on full days is because of the fatigue. When I am tired I am really tired, like a puppy who could just fall over anywhere to sleep, not long periods but when it hits it hits.
Best of luck and feel free to check in with me next week and see how it is going.
Pam
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I had a textbook type surgery (perfect) one month ago today, and while I feel fine, I'm not ready to go back to work. I felt great for the first 10days/two weeks until the steroids wore off. Then tired most of the time. Also, I took the pain med lortab for about a week before I realized it was making me nausious. Stopped that three days ago and am feeling way better. As others have probably said, you'll know when your ready. Take it easy though. Good luck.