Author Topic: Returning to work  (Read 4684 times)

ombrerose4

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Returning to work
« on: September 06, 2011, 09:15:46 am »
Hi everyone! Tomorrow I will be returning to work officially for the first time since my surgery 2 years ago. Unfortunately I was not able to find a part time position to ease my way back, so I will be working fulltime. I have no idea how my body will react to this huge change. It is a busy position and also a career change for me. I will be working as a new RN with alot of responsibilities. I am hoping the stress doe not bring back my headaches/facial pains and I am going to try to continue my PT for my head and neck once I get into the swing of the job. Please think of me tomorrow as I mark another milestone in my life:)
Retrosigmoid 9/24/09
AN 2.4+ cm left side
Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC (Dr. Bederson and Dr. Choe)
BAHA surgery 1/4/2010

Cheryl R

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #1 on: September 06, 2011, 11:24:30 am »
Good luck Lauren in your new job.     I hope it goes well and that you like it too!     I miss working and getting to know patients and people and sounds like you will doing alot of that!    I also hope for no headaches and pain for you.                Keep us posted how it goes!           
                                                         Cheryl R
Right mid fossa 11-01-01
  left tumor found 5-03,so have NF2
  trans lab for right facial nerve tumor
  with nerve graft 3-23-06
   CSF leak revision surgery 4-07-06
   left mid fossa 4-17-08
   near deaf on left before surgery
   with hearing much improved .
    Univ of Iowa for all care

akaltz

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #2 on: September 06, 2011, 11:43:06 am »
Best of luck Lauren, will be thinking of you tomorrow! Anna
Husband diagnosed with Right side  AN 4/11.
4/10/2011 2.4 x 2.6 x 1.9 cm
CK 5/2011 @ Stanford Dr.Chang & Dr Hancock
11/7/2011

moe

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #3 on: September 06, 2011, 12:05:23 pm »
Good luck with the return to work. What kind of work will you be doing?
That'll make a difference. I'm a very very part time home health RN which is manageable because it is one patient at a time, but taking a break right now.
Let us know how things go!
Maureen
06/06-Translab 3x2.5 vascular L AN- MAMC,Tacoma WA
Facial nerve cut,reanastomosed.Tarsorrhaphy
11/06. Gold weight,tarsorrhaphy reversed
01/08- nerve transposition-(12/7) UW Hospital, Seattle
5/13/10 Gracilis flap surgery UW for smile restoration :)
11/10/10 BAHA 2/23/11 brow lift/canthoplasty

Jim Scott

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2011, 01:25:32 pm »
Hi, Lauren ~

I wish you much success (and no problems) as you return to work  We're all rooting for you!  Please let us how how it goes.  Thanks.

Jim
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

leapyrtwins

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #5 on: September 06, 2011, 05:06:29 pm »
Good luck, Lauren  ;D

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

CHD63

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #6 on: September 06, 2011, 05:15:26 pm »
Hi Lauren .....

Congrats to you for taking the plunge to go directly to working full-time.  You are a real trooper and if anyone can, you can!

Many thoughts and prayers as you (and your body  :)) transition to this new chapter in your life.

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011

Brewers7

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #7 on: September 07, 2011, 09:20:01 am »
Thinking of you.  Said a prayer.  Let us know how it went.  Susan
Translab surgery 12/15/2008 followed by CSF leakage repair and 3 additional surgeries for MRSA of the brain (NOT typical) SSD,  facial and vocal cord paralysis, numerous reconstructive surgeries, Transear 12/2010

kenneth_k

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #8 on: September 07, 2011, 11:02:04 am »
Hope you had a splendid day at work and that things will be all right for you.

Kenneth

leapyrtwins

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #9 on: September 07, 2011, 03:52:44 pm »
So?  How'd it go?

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

ombrerose4

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #10 on: September 08, 2011, 04:45:18 pm »
So Day 2 is over and except for being extremely exhausted, I am doing okay. Tomorrow I see my first patient (with supervision), so that should be interesting. Hopefully after awhile my body will adjust to being active again and I won't feel as fatigued. In the meanwhile it's lights out at 10PM for me. And thank goodness for the Baha- this would have been extremely difficult without it! Thank you all for caring:)
Retrosigmoid 9/24/09
AN 2.4+ cm left side
Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC (Dr. Bederson and Dr. Choe)
BAHA surgery 1/4/2010

leapyrtwins

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #11 on: September 10, 2011, 07:02:56 am »
Lauren -

very positive update.

Glad to hear it,

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

Kathy M

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #12 on: September 10, 2011, 08:07:27 am »
So glad to hear you are back to work in the career you've worked for! You have so much to offer your patients.  Hope you adjust to these new demands quickly. Treat yourself with lots of kindness, too! I indulge with luxurious bubble baths after grueling days at work....Philosophy products are fabulous for well deserved pampering!!

Take care!

Kathy
AN diagnosed 11/14/08, 3+cm, Retrosigmoid 1/13/09, Univ. Hosp., Cincinnati, Drs. Tew and Pensak
no facial nerve or eye issues!
3 more surgeries related to staph infections & osteomylitis over next 13 months.  New diagnosis of breast cancer.  Treatment completed 08/27/10.  Moving on!!!

Anasazi42

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #13 on: September 10, 2011, 11:56:06 am »
You had the same surgery that I did about 4 months ago. My tumor was 3+ cm and was pressing against my brain stem and cerebellum. I'm still not driving and haven't been back to work yet. I was feeling oddly guilty about this. Yesterday, I had lunch with some of the people from my job and that was one of the questions they asked: when are you coming back to work? My insurance/disability rep called and asked who is involved in making the decision on when you return to work. It's been a difficult recovery. My balance and reflexes are shot! I know there are some folks who had bigger tumors who were back to work within a month. I wish things had gone that way for me and I honestly wish I had a definitive answer for all these people. I still don't know when I'll be returning to work, but knowing that 2 years passed before you could return to work makes me feel, I don't know, less guilty? And your career is so much more demanding than mine. I'm so happy you're back in your field, and I'm sure you'll feel better and your stamina will improve with time. I'm thinking of you and know that you're an inspiration for those of us not working yet. Good luck!!
Diag. Dr. Saffran ENT 3-9-11; 45 yrs at time of diag. 3.5+ cm AN rt side; 9 hr retrosigmoid craniectomy 5-12-11 FL Hosp. South, Neurosurgeon Dr. Melvin Field; Gold wt implant
Post-op: facial para. (rt), double vision (cleared up), SSD, tinnitus, balance issues, ataxia, movement disorder

ombrerose4

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Re: Returning to work
« Reply #14 on: September 10, 2011, 12:41:58 pm »
Kathy,

I think I will try those bubblebaths!
Retrosigmoid 9/24/09
AN 2.4+ cm left side
Mount Sinai Hospital, NYC (Dr. Bederson and Dr. Choe)
BAHA surgery 1/4/2010