So Tuesday I went back for my two-week post-op follow-up and to get my stitches out. Everything looks fine, which is the good news.
When I had rotator cuff surgery previously (which was arthroscopic rather than open), I was back to work after three weeks. I was actually working from home part-time after the first week. Other people I know have returned to work after the three weeks you’re required to be in the sling.
So, assuming a three-week recovery, I would be returning to work next Monday. However, this has been a tough surgery and a rough recovery, so I was prepared to negotiate for one more week to regain strength and range of motion before trying to go back to work.
My doctor wants me to stay out at least four more weeks after this one, returning to work Thanksgiving week, for a total of seven weeks.
As God is my witness, I’m not sure I can watch that much daytime television.
Two days later, I’m still trying to digest that news. Now that I’m generally feeling well (and back on my RA meds), I’m getting the bored and restless syndrome. Of course I’m still handicapped by not being able to use my right arm, and I can’t drive yet — which just fuels the B&R syndrome.
My company has a policy to shut off access to emails, servers, etc. to people who are on FMLA leave (which I am), so I can’t even work part-time from home. I am supposed to be focusing on my recovery. Well I am, but you can’t do that all friggin’ day (especially since I’m no longer taking anything but Tylenol …).
The other thing this has impacted is moving forward on repairs on the house after the damage from the water leak. But we’ll deal with those issues as we can.
So, that’s the latest from the home front. If you have any great ideas for things to do that don’t involve the right hand, please send them my way. Thanks for checking in.
Ooooooooh no!! What a pain – literally. I sympathise about day-time television too! Reading? I think I could cope with a few weeks off to read … although I guess I’d want to do other things as well!!!!
Carla I can sooo sympathize with you….I was home for 6 weeks following foot surgery…no weight bearing and going stir crazy!!! I started to do some little organizing projects to keep me from loosing my mind…best of luck and keep us posted. Nan
Enforced time off is hard–especially if you have the kind of job that pretty much requires your input, and knowing that others doing it will do it differently or worse, wrong. Been there, Carla. Every time I took a week or two off for vacation time, I came back to blazing fires needing to be put out. I got where I hated to leave, even though I really needed the time away.
But here you are, stuck one-handed at home. Read a bunch of books you never had time for, before. Watch some movies. Take long walks, if you can. Since you’re a writer (and a good one!), maybe you can use that time to start your next novel. Lose yourself in some research….
Glad to hear that you’re healing up fairly well and that you don’t need more than Tylenol for pain. Time… time… nothing but time… what a great opportunity for creativity!
Thinking of you and sending patience and serenity your way… :)
Probably the doc knows best…use the time for good things…things you haven’t had time to do in the past. Yes, I know you are a “one arm” bandit right now but you can still do lots of things to keep busy. Wren mentioned several :-) Maybe you could also call up some friends and get them to drive out to movies or lunch perhaps. I just hope you recover nicely and yes, I know getting the mental part to cooperate can be trying.
Learn how to say something that makes you laugh in several languages. I can teach you ” I can’t stand it anymore, lets go home and eat” in Chinese …
Thanks everyone for the kind thoughts, the wonderful suggestions, and some very enjoyable humor. I’m feeling better already!