Re: Thanks to and Marti

[Guest guest]

This is a response to and Marti and all who sent kind wishes my

way. The surgery on my left hand went better than Anticipated, and I can't

believe how well I feel. To give a little background: I had surgery on my right

hand/wrist the beginning of July to re-attach 2 tendons. The surgeon also cut

down the wrist bone which had become very enlarged due to inflammation (that is

why the tendons wore through). I had the operation under full anesthesia; after

I woke up I was given shots of demerol every 4 hours and was kept overnight. I

was sent home with a prescription for oxycodone. I felt terrible and was in bed,

lietrally, for aeek before weaning myself off the oxycodone because I felt

nauseous all the time. I went back to work half days the second week, and then

full-time. I was not allowed to drive for 8 weeks but had therapy once a week.

My hand is not yet 100% but doing well.

In the meantime I lost 3 tendons on my left hand (all but my index finger and

thumb) so I was scheduled to have that done this week. Same surgeon, different

hospital. I was dreading the long recovery. Well, when I arrived at the hospital

and had settled in, I was visited by 2 anesthesiologists who suggested I have a

nerve block on my arm and IV sedation instead of being put totally out. The

block would keep me pain-free for about 18 hours and they felt I would recover

faster. I was nervous about it but said okay, and am I glad I did. I was sedated

via an IV and given a shot in my armpit (which I didn't feel) to block the

nerves. I dozed throughout the 2 hr operation and was fully awake about an hour

after. I went home with a prescript for hydrocozone to take after the block wore

off. I had arrived at the hospital at 9 am and was home by 3 pm; went to bed

and slept through the night. I woke up the next morning with some discomfort,

byt took the pills whch took care of that. Otherwise I felt great. I've been up

and around since. Will still take a week's sick leave becausae I have the time

and want to use it; but I'm so glad I listened to those 2 docs. Thanks for all

your kind words of encouragement.

e van Gils

Re: Re: Major Good News!

Sandy,

THANKS so very much for the info about what is going on on post. If you don't

mind can I email you off list (as to not clutter up everyone's email) to get

more detailed info about Fort Sam Houston and other info? This could really

help my transition there to have a heads up on docs in the area and what TriCare

is doing?

Axelrod

Re: What next??

In a message dated 9/30/2004 1:16:12 PM Eastern Standard Time,

martincoyless@... writes:

Just something I wanted to ask. I am currently receiving LTD from my

employers insurance which on the face of it would appear to be much the same

deal as

you are on. You say that you are working part time and the insurance pays

the difference. Are you still working for the same employers or is it a

completely different job?

Hi , it is the same employer, but I did not go back as an employee, I

went back as a consultant. I set up a corporation that I " work " for, which

means the corporation pays my benefits, employment taxes, etc, and then pays me

a salary. The corporation bills the company I consult for. I then share

my paycheck stubs with the LTD company, and they pay me the difference, up to

100% of my prior salary.. The total that they were willing to pay me if I

chose not to work was 66% of my prior salary, the total that they are willing

to pay me if I work p/t is 72%, so I get a bonus! Sounds kind of complicated,

but its actually worked out great...The best thing is that my hours are

flexible, and because I bill my former employer on an hourly basis, if I don't

feel good, I just don't work. The LTD company loves me and doesn't really

question me because I am one of the few that chooses to work PT rather than not

at all...My LTD company (Liberty Mutual) calls it " partial disability " , and

only required that the doctor approve my ability to work part time. I did have

to do a lot of research before I realized this was possible, they don't

really inform people about it...

For me, its a great way to stay productive but still be able to take care of

myself...I don't work Tues/Thurs, so I always have a day to rest right after

working. My old company loves it, because they can move me around as needed

and I know the ins and outs of the company. And its been great because I

have learned a lot by moving around between departments. I do a lot of

" special

projects " that full time people don't have time to do...

Anyway, sorry to babble on, but you can tell I am thrilled with how things

are going...I have been doing this for 6 months now and you wouldn't believe

the day to day improvement in my health. Just having those extra days to rest,

get the exercise I need, spread the " errand " part of my life out over more

days...

I am only 35 and single and the thought of not working at all was very scary

to me. And if someday they find a " cure " or some medication I can take (I

can't take the biologics), then I still have the contacts to go back to work

full time.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

-Hi e,

Great news on the second hand surgery. I'm glad it wasn't as tough as

the first one. When I discussed my surgery with the mayo surgeons

they told me they would like to use a local but if they took bone

from my hip to help fashion a new thumb then they would need to use

the general.

Think I finally spelled your name right. So sorry about that. I am

a terrible speller.

Best wishes,

Marti

[Guest guest]

--

>

> I shouldn't get up in the middle of the night and read my

mail....I'm going

> " second hand surgery???? " Does that equate to second hand

clothes...oh

> well, I've amused myself sitting here laughing at myself....now

back to bed.

>

> Liz

>

>

> LOL! It's always good to get a first hand surgery even on your

second hand....

Marti

>

[Guest guest]

Good to hear it went well e. You will be lifting weights in no time!

Lol

Take care,