Released to go back to work

[Tod]

Greetings all,

Three months out, I am now released to return to work tomorrow.. Finally. Even though I will be going in late and leaving early for a few weeks, it is relief to get the okay. I've got some challenges ahead though. I went to first meeting of the governor's workforce commission last week since I am staffing one of the workgroups and was all but overwhelmed by the chaos during both pre- and post-meeting activities. Something I will have to keep in mind..

My balance therapy is very well. The therapist of the day always finds new ways to delight and challenge my balance system.  But, I also seem to improve session to session.

Eating still requires focus and eliminating some foods because of my lack of saliva most of the time, decreases swallowing ability, and easily irritated vocal cords. Popcorn will send me into paroxysms of coughing. Multi-tasking and eating are not a good combination.

I am still anemic, but that is improving. Also improving is the facial movement. Voluntary movement started 4 weeks ago and continues to strengthen. Eye problems are still with me. Doc says my cornea looks "beat up and pretty crappy" so we are watching it carefully and may take stronger action next month.

Yes, some problems. But I have walked up to seven miles at a time, I'm driving well, and I am back to work.

Another MRI in two months and perhaps a plan for radiation therapy.  We'll see...nothing I didn't expect might be the case.

Life is good.

-Tod

[CHD63]

Tod .....

WOW, considering what all you have been through, it is tremendous to be released to go back to work at the three month mark.  As you are finding out, there will be challenges ..... my guess is largely fatigue, which then causes other things to be worse ..... balance, tinnitus, etc.  Be sure to allow enough "down time" in your schedule to recoup in between work sessions.

Best thoughts as you re-enter the work force!

Clarice

[Jim Scott]

Tod ~

Congratulations on returning to work ! 

Obviously, it will present some challenges but I trust you'll have the ability to surmount them and adapt as necessary.  I wish you much success and compliment you on your notable progress thus far in your recovery.  Well done.

Jim

[Syl]

Tod:

You sure have been through alot. But it's great to see that life is good despite the many challenges you are facing. You will find that getting back to the work routine, even if it's part-time will help your recovery--it sure helped me.

Take it easy and be patient. I will send good thoughts your way to help keep the headaches away.

Syl

[leapyrtwins]

Congratulations on reaching the back to work milestone, Tod.

Jan

[Mei Mei]

You've been through a lot and I'm so proud of you.   Keep it up one step at a time.   

Mei Mei

[pjb]

Congratulations just take it slow one day at a time.

Best Wishes,

Pat

[moe]

Tod,
Congratulations on going back to work! Now the real work begins. The noise factor is probably one of the worst aspects to get used to if you are SSD.
Hopefully you don't have tinnitus.
When things settle down more, may want to check the BAHA if you haven't already.
Don't be surprised if you are totally wiped out when you get home. Hopefully this will improve as you settle into your new routine.
You have been through SOOOO much, and I am VERY impressed!
Maureen

[Lizard]

Tod,
It will take some time to get used to things moving at a regular pace.  I remember everything feeling like it was going to fast for me to process, but as you said you're coming in late and leaving early and hopefully napping when you get home.  The first few weeks back to work are very tiring but you will get used to it.  Just try to remember to leave the room and go to a "quieter" place until your brain unwinds from all the madness and noise, do some deep breathing and you should be OK to reenter the meeting.  I just hope that your place of employment is empathetic to your situation.

Good luck and hang in there you will do just fine, but listen to what your body is trying to tell you,
Liz

[kenneth_k]

Hi Tod.

Awesome
Congratulations on returning to work

Kenneth

[Tod]

Thanks for the support and good wishes everyone!

I was pretty wiped by midafternoon and glad to have an excuse to leave early, namely to pick up my truck after being repaired.

Moe, I was pretty much SSD prior to surgery and I do have tinnitus now that comes and goes. Most times I don't notice anything. I am very fortunate to work in a state office that has no real foot traffic and very little noise.


The hardest part are telephone calls as they strain what little voice I have. Not a whole lot I can do about that right now, other than accept it. We'll see what the doc says next week about my vocal cords.

Thanks again everyone...it is really good to have a place where people understand the daily challenges.

Tod

[leapyrtwins]

Being wiped by mid-afternoon is pretty common - at least in my experience.

When I first returned to work, I went half days for 2 weeks.  Made it easy to nap at home in the afternoon - and I DEFINITELY needed it.

Jan

[moe]

I'm still wiped our mid afternoon  :oand need a nap I call it my happy nap
Maureen

[Syl]

I envy those of you who can take naps. Since my surgery I've only been able to take a nap about 2 times. Seriously!! It's not that I don't try. I do try. I have laid down to rest so many times due to fatigue, but can't sleep. I don't know what the surgery did that makes it so difficult for me to take a nap. And the 2 times I have taken a nap, I woke up with a headache.

Syl

[Lizard]

Syl,
I'm not a napper either so I can relate, but during my recovery my sleeping pattern was really screwy so I slept at the drop of a dime.  Wish I could do that now, but I'd probably, like you said, wake up with a headache...
liz