2 weeks post-op, bored, ready to go back to work

[pswift00]

Hi folks, I had translab on my 3.0+ cm AN on 8/15.  The surgery ran on past twelve hours, so the surgeons made the decision to do a revision the following Tuesday to get the rest of the tumor out.  God, anesthesia is hell.  The good news is, they got the entire tumor.  The bad news is, they think it was a facial schwanoma b/c of the way it was completely involved with the facial nerve.  So I lost the facial nerve, but am scheduled to have a nerve graft in the next few weeks.  In all, I feel great.  I'm not having any pain or balance issues at all.  My left eye bugs me a bit, but hopefully that will get better in time.  Really, I'm just totally bored sitting around the house all day and have half a mind to go back to work for a few hours a day just so I don't burn up all of my leave.  Anywho, scheduled to see the neurosurgeon tomorrow and will hopefully get these stitches out.  Can't wait to show everyone on the softball team my *****in' new scar.

Take care.

[Patti]

wow-i am so glad to hear that you feel so great!  don't be surprised if that energy level comes and goes.  i hear it's the norm.  patti 

[leapyrtwins]

ps -

sounds like you've been through the wringer, but your recovery is very encouraging.

If you do return to work, remember to take things slow since fatigue can be an issue and it sneaks up on you.  I'd suggest going back part-time to begin with if you can - it definitely helped me.

Good luck,

Jan

[lori67]

I'll bet you'll have the most impressive scar of all!   

I know how you feel about going nuts sitting home.  I didn't work before my surgery, but I was always out doing something, so right after the surgery when I wasn't driving yet was miserable!  Apparently, I was making everyone else miserable too, because my husband called one of my friends from out of town and asked her to come visit for a few days to cheer me up.  She did, and did I ever make that poor woman drive me all over creation!  I didn't care where we went or what we did, but I had such cabin fever by that point, I didn't care.  I think we both needed naps when we got back to my house!

If you are able to go back to work a few hours a day, I'm sure that would help your mood a bit, but, like the others said, take it slow.  The first few times you overdo it and get really fatigued, it feels like you've hit a brick wall.  It doesn't take long to figure out that you need to pace yourself so you can avoid that.

I hope you are able to get your stitches out!
Lori

[wendysig]

Wow!! it sounds like you are doing great!!  Just make sure you don't overdo things too much.  I hope your reoover continues at this wonderful and amazing pace.

Wendy

[Jim Scott]

pswift00:

I was just as impatient after surgery so I can relate, even if I'm retired and don't have a job to get back to.  I still lead an active life and probably recovered quickly partly because I had things I still wanted to do.  We all recover differently and while I can't advise you to push yourself too hard (fatigue can set in quickly) I will suggest you 'listen to your body' and do whatever you honestly feel you can do.  If work isn't an option, find something else - but keep active, if only in 'small' ways.  This worked for me.

Jim

[Debbi]

I agree with everyone else about the fatigue - it still sneaks up on me once in awhile even now!  That being said, I went back to work on a very limited basis 10 days post surgery.  In fairness, I do work from home, so driving wasn't an issue.  It was great to get back to doing some sort of productive work, though, even if it was only a couple of hours a day.  Any chance you can work from home?  That would make it much easier, and also make it easier to cope with unexpected fatigue attacks!

Debbi

[pswift00]

Thanks for the advice, folks.  Got my stitches out today, and got the all-clear from my surgeon to go back to work for a few hours a day 'in the interests of my mental health' as he put it.  The fatigue is certainly a concern, but I am young, just turned 31 two days ago, and I don't do much besides sit at a desk all day anyway.  But I'll be sure to take it slow.  Still waiting to get a date scheduled for my nerve graft surgery.  Starting to wonder just how disorganized this other surgeon is.  I'll be sure to put it in the hands of my ENT next week when I see him if I still don't hear anything by then

[leapyrtwins]

ps -

glad your stitches are out (woo-hoo!!) and you've been given the okay to return to work 

I'm older than you, but I also have a desk job and I found that working part-time for a few weeks before returning full-time worked well for me.  The main issue I had with the part-time work was just the fatigue that came from doing more than sitting around the house and napping.

Good luck and don't forget to put your nerve graft surgery on the AN Calendar when you get a date.

Thanks,

Jan

[lori67]

Belated Happy Birthday to you!  Hope you had a good one!

I'm glad your doctor agrees that your mental health is worth preserving!   

Lori

[MAlegant]

Hi,
I'm six weeks post-op (yay!) and just yesterday returned part-time to work.  I was exhausted yesterday, better today.  As long as you know there will be ups and downs work may be the best place for you.  I sympathize with your boredom.  Good luck, keep us informed.
Best,
Marci

[wendysig]

You're obviously doing great. You'll have good days and bad  enjoy the good ones and nap during the bad ones.   I understandi the boredom too, I am anxious to get on with my life and get better.  You're younger than me too and I'm sure have lots of energy but try not to overdo it. 

Best wishes,
Wendy

[mimoore]

Hi,
Take it easy. Relax and heal. I do understand, I think part of my depression was the fact that I was so bored. Don't rush it though, my body is telling me I did too much last week. Stabbing pains in my head, last night I slept 12 hours.
First week back to work was fantastic but very draining. I know I will get stronger everyday just need to remind myself that I just had BRAIN SURGERY!. I love my job!
Michelle 

[elderbirds]

PS
WHERE DID YOU END UP HAVING YOUR SURGERY?  I KNOW YOU WERE LOOKING AT GEORGETOWN AND HOPKINS.
Hope

[pswift00]

I went with Georgetown.