Monday, March 26, 2007

Status report -- or -- Where you stand depends upon where you sit

Bee asked after my health in a recent comment.

Long Suffering Spouse and I went to see the surgeon a week ago today.

It was our second visit to the doctor's office since I'd been released from the hospital. We went the first time because my wounds were oozing something and we didn't know if this was a problem. When we called to inquire, the doctor told us to come in -- but two seconds after looking at it said it was perfectly normal. So that was good.

Even better, the surgeon had just that day received the pathology report from my surgery. They'd biopsied everything in sight. They may have taken samples from a couple of the spectators in the OR. But they couldn't find anything else to work on -- so that means no chemo, no radiation, no nothing.

So we went into last Monday's scheduled appointment with a good attitude. I was hoping to be cleared for work.

You may recall that, by last Monday, I'd even gone to court once, for a settlement conference. It had knocked me out for a day and half afterward -- but I'd done it.

We actually didn't see my surgeon last Monday; we saw his young apprentice. I think the young doctor may be given a lot of the follow up work -- so that Dr. P. (who really is good at what he does) can do more of it.

The young doctor asked a few questions and seemed pleased by the answers -- but he balked a bit when I asked him about going back to work. "This was a major operation," he said. "You really need about six weeks to heal up."

"Doctor," I said, "while we were waiting to see you, your receptionist called me up to the window. She handed me a bill and asked if I'd brought my checkbook. Well, I didn't -- but the point is, Doctor, do you want this bill paid or not?"

The young doctor considered the question for only a moment. "Well," he said, "you can try going back to work and see how it goes."

Proving yet again, where you stand depends upon where you sit....

So I'm at least part time again... and I actually finished a brief on Friday. Too bad it was due on Thursday....

I'm still taking pain pills and I'm still not allowed to drink alcohol. That's no way to go through St. Patrick's Day, let me tell you. And I have to wear suits because they have a higher waist than even my Levis-for-old-fat-people (a/k/a Dockers) and my middle is still swollen and tender. The doctor suggested that suspenders (instead of a belt) might be more comfortable, and he was right. And there are other issues, still, but I'll spare you the details.

You're Welcome.

I made it to work three days last week. I worked a full day Friday, the day I finally finished that brief.

Last Tuesday, my pastor called to chide me for coming back too soon. He had been planning to stop by the house to say hello, he told me, but he'd run into Long Suffering Spouse at school and she told him I'd gone into the office. I think she put him up to the lecture, too, but I can't prove it. Under the circumstances, I made it a point to get to Mass on Sunday....

Thanks again to all who've sent me their good wishes during my recovery.

12 comments:

sari said...

I'm glad you're doing well but take it easy!

You're much better off concentrating on blogging for a while, right?

Bills or no bills, you only get the chance to recover correctly once. Then you're just fixing things.

Shelby said...

WOW I'm surprised you can withstand the getting about to work. You must take it easy tho, your body will win - don't push it too hard!

Fran said...

I am so glad you got such good news from your doctor. You will be back to work full time soon enough.....keep us entertained with your blogging for now!

Jean-Luc Picard said...

Good to know you're feeling a lot better.

Mother Jones RN said...

Speaking as your cyber-nurse, and as one of your biggest fans, I'm happy to hear that your are feeling better. Take care!


MJ

susan said...

Glad you're recovery is going so well! And just think, when you're through using the suspenders to hold up your pants, you can use them to take your lawn dart game up a notch...

Patti said...

Happy to hear you are recovering nicely. When you are working it surely must take your mind off the pain.
I imagine the same probably holds true for when you are blogging.

Please take care of yourself and don't push the healing process.

landgirl said...

Let me add my good wishes and my own caution. Please take it slowly. You can really hurt yourself or you can push so hard that you crash and burn just when you have a really important court date or something. Slow and steady, please.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

thanks curmy (for not describing that oozing stuff anyway, ha!) for updating us on your activities and health. slow and easy does it.

smiles, bee

Anonymous said...

i always love to hear good news....i'm glad you have one:)

may
www.aboutanurse.com

Barb said...

That sounded like a good report from the doctor, right?

Linda said...

I apologize for being so late in responding to this post but as you know, I was a bit laid up myself recently (though obviously nothing as serious as what you just went through!). Glad to hear that you are progressing as well as you are but just don't push it if you don't need to. Remember that it WAS major surgery and that those of us who are over 29 take a little longer to heal! The doctor can wait for his payment a little longer, I don't think he'll be hitting the breadline anytime soon!