Going back to work - not as easy as I thought!

cacyhi

I have been going into work this week after being off 12 weeks with my triple ankle fusion. Getting around has been fine - I am using a wheelchair or my crutches and the small school I work in is up to Disability Access standards. everyone has been great and supportive and no pressure, so that isnt the problem.

The problem has been me. I am finding it hard to cope with all the people and stimulation after learning to be by myself and doing very little for the past three months. I havent been able to concentrate on paperwork or anything that isnt instant and all I keep doing is yawning and yawning. I know I am still not sleeping well but i thought I would feel so much better going to work and being occupied rather than bored but it seems to be taking somuch out of me.

has anyone outthere felt the sameway after being isolated due to operation recovery or should I be asking for a psychiatric assessment ????

I feel so useless and incapable and a liability. Got 12 week check on tuesday so maybe I am worried about what the next stage is as well.

woodbon

Hi, I've been in your situation several times and know what you mean. The first time was after 12 weeks, when I had surgery for a perforated ulcer and was in hospital for 4 weeks. When I got back to work, people were kind and helpful, as you say, but it took me quite a while to get used to working a full day. I had to leave any social events until I'd got used to work again. :sad:
My surgeon said, when I went back for a check-up that I was fine and it's normal and takes the body at least a year to completlly get over surgery, all the energy is used by the body to heal and thats why I was so tired!
Why don't you mention to your doctor, if the feeling continues and I'm sure they will check you over, just to be on the safe side, its normal most of the time, but, don't go on my experience, as we are all different and it would be wise just to mention it to the medics.
Take care and try to rest as much as possible and eat well!!! Plenty of chocolate! Love Sue xxxx

cacyhi

Hi Sue, thanks for sharing your experience. I also have stomach problems at the moment and so I am not eating well at the moment either. I did go to the doctor and he reminded me that I was on HRT prior to coming off it for the op so I am probably dealing with menopause symptoms as well ( is there anything else left to have ???) and also that he would not put me on it again as I have already been on it for 5 years. I thought every day of this would get easier but it feels like every day it gets harder!!

bighair

Hi Carol,
I've had to return to work several times after long-term sick/recovery from surgery. Each time my confidence in my ability was seriously affected and was very jittery and nervous about starting back and the thought of dealing will complicated tasks that take too much concentration and brain power. After 3 months of lonely boredum and daytime TV it was all very daunting having to be sociable and getting used to coping with the physicalities in the work environment. Usually within a few weeks of being back my brain shook of the lousiness of the last 3 months and kicked into gear and got back up to full-speed; leaving me wondering what all the fuss was about. I just had to keep telling myself I could do my job standing on my head before surgery and can do again. I am sure your mojo will return but it would do no harm to let your Dr know about still not sleeping too well.

dreamdaisy

Going back to work is a shock to the system on all fronts: after the peace and resting it's busy, noisy, there are interruptions a-plenty, I am sure it will take a while to adjust, I am also sure you will adjust. Right, cheeky suggestion coming up: could you try stopping being so hard on yourself? You have had a tough three months or so, health issues are still rumbling on, you are better in some ways than before but there is still a little way to go and I reckon you'll get there quicker if you travel more slowly. Take care, rest up over the week-end to prepare yourself for the onslaught on Monday! DD

cacyhi

Hi bighair - just hearing you say that you experienced something similar is a real comfort to me. Its true that although I have enjoyed being with people last week, at times it felt utterly overwhelming and I almost tuned them out at times. Yes, my head has not even been able to read a book since the op so its not surprising im worried about my lack of concentration and focus I am just very lucky that I have no pressure on me to perform at the moment. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with me.

DD - you always talk so much sense. I know you are the voice of experience and its ironic that I am suffering health issues more because of stress than any actual pain from the op! the foot is the least of my worries at the moment! However I know I am anxious about the next stages of recovery. All my life Ive tried to run before I can walk, but now it really has to be the other way round! I know I need to take things slower. thank you for your wise words and I hope you are feeling better yourself and having a nice bonfire weekend.

frogmorton

Hi Carol

After my back surgery l returned to work after 9 weeks (financial - single parent to two little girls :roll: )

Every day l came back feeling pretty awful to be honest. My theory was that if l had recovered by the morning it was doing no harm.

I too struggled with the stimulus :roll: It was all too much for me and l loved my colleagues and my job. In time it did settle, but l think it did take a good while.

you are doing well Carol

Love

Toni xx

cacyhi

Hi toni, thanks for sharing your experience with me. It makes me feel better knowing that others have gone through similar feelings in the same circumstances.

I thought I was well prepared for this op, and I was, on a practical level. I never had the sense to really see beyond that and how it would impact on me mentally, emotionally and even physically with the rest of my body.

I know now that I probably over did it last week (full week 8-4) and I shall do a lot less next week as I am lucky to be able to do what I want at the moment.

Your support is much appreciated and I hope all is well with you.

barbara12

Hi Carol
Dont you be so hard on yourself, 12 weeks is such a long break from work, it will take time to get back into things, sorry I dont have any advice, but I really do wish you well with it all, and i will be thinking about you on Tuesday.

cacyhi

Thanks for your support Barbara,it is much appreciated

barbara12

Hi Carol
Just popping in to wish you well with work this week, hope it goes better for you.xx

traluvie

Hi Carol,

The way you have felt is perfectly normal, i was off for ten months due to gynae op and was really nervous about returning and everything was such a huge effort..
I would mention how you are feeling at the check up, maybe they can do something to help..
Hope things bit easier this week for you..
Take care,..x

cacyhi

Hi Tracy,
Good to see your waving hands back and I hope your real ones are feeling a bit better these days.

Its so reassuring to know that others have had similar experiences coz you think its just you, thats whats so good about this forum. I have had real trouble sleeping since the op and I think that is the a big part of the problem but im so wary of sleeping tablets etc as I dont want to get to rely on them either. Ive never had problems sleeping before, although not beingon the HRT could really be making everything worse at the moment - who'd be a woman eh???

pheebs

Hi Carol,

I'm going back to work next Monday after 7 and a half weeks off for toe fusion op. I could have been off longer but, because of lots of changes and problems at work, I knew it would just make it harder for me to return if I left it any longer.

So, I asked for a phased return - I normally work full-time so instead, will be doing a couple of weeks part-time to get back into the swing of things. Would it not be possible for you to ask your employers if this could be considered, and if so, maybe your gp could help out?

Hope you soon feel better about work.

Best wishes, Pheebs x

woodbon

Hi Have a better week this week. Going back to work after a break even when its a holiday can be hard, I find! Being without HRT won't help, I've had the same problem, but I can't reccommend anything!
Still, as you get more used to the work routine and can find out how to pace yourself at and work, (not easy, I know) you'll find things get easier. If not, maybe you'r at work too soon, so go back to the doc's! :eek: Love Sue Take care.xx

cacyhi

thanks pheebs and sue, your support is much appreciated.

I am lucky as my boss says I can come and go as I want - I have a great relationship with him and have admitted to him how I feel and he's been very supportive as well as all my colleagues. To be honest, its the pressure Im putting on myself really - I want to work how I used to but obviously not walking means its not the same, however much I pretend to myself. Its more physically tiring and challenging and therefore more mentally tiring. Monday was a better day after the weekend and today I have my 12 week hospital check and then back to work tomorrow. Monday I knew when I had had enough and went home at 3.30 and went to bed for an hour. I know ive got to work with myself not fight myself!!!