Paperwork....

[rayinpenn]

So my HR department called and reminded me that my paperwork needs to be completed and faxed in within 20 days of my surgery. I've got an appointment for Thursday which is day 14. I'll hand them the paperwork then - I'm sure they are used to this stuff.

I see a family leave application, a general release medical release form and a short term disability form for the doc with the critical too and from dates. From date is easy my surgery date.. The to date is another matter entirely..

My new knee is pretty stiff - I spend my time on one couch that causes the least discomfort.
Thought last night wasn't as bad, at night I struggle with the same and wake up every couple hours. My sleep used to be legendary - asleep within 2 minutes of my head hitting the pillow. I can't help but wonder how much of it is the staples.. I assume when there gone on Thursday there will be improvement. I tell myself It is only day 11 Everyone says things improve. I've tried sitting in a regular chair but I'm dam uncomfortable and I squirm like a kid that needs to use the restroom.

I am a developer, I write code and query huge databases for their 'secrets' . I love the job because you can be creative. I can easily sit for three hours working on a problem. With the old knee when I got up it would be stiff and painful -thus the surgery.

I am not the lazy type I've only missed a handful of days in my 32 years with the firm but I am in no rush to return. There will be no "Ray we will give you a few easy tasks to get back into the swing of things". No, the punishment for being a can do person is they will shovel it at you as fast as they feel you can handle it. - and It always is more difficult then they realize...

My goal is to return after the new year ... Do I simply say "hey doc I am in no rush to return until after the holidays?" I know there are established time offs for regular surgeries.


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[W2R]

It can't do any harm to talk it over with your doctor, right? He may not be able to delay your return to work by very much, but then, maybe he can. Another possibility is to use vacation time if you can't get the time off any other way.

[Senator]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayinpenn So my HR department called and reminded me that my paperwork needs to be completed and faxed in within 20 days of my surgery. I've got an appointment for Thursday which is day 14. I'll hand them the paperwork then - I'm sure they are used to this stuff.

Do not miss any deadlines, I would fax it now. If you miss the deadline, it could be considered job abandonment. I have seen it happen with someone who was supposed to check in every week while on disability.

The person missed a check in, and was terminated. The mega-corp was getting tired of the person taking 100+ days off a year on 'disability' for an office job.

[rayinpenn]

Paperwork will be done on Thursday day ...pretty sure it will just delay a paycheck. I have 20 days from the operation to file.


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[TallTim]

@OP, glad to hear that the surgery was a success .. and I can tell you from direct experience with MIL (2x new knees in the past 5 years, both sides) that what you're experiencing is pretty normal w/r/t recovery

I'll also add FWIW, from her experiences as well as DW's ACL/MCL, and both of my ortho surgeries for ankle and arm fractures w/ screws & pins ... do your PT religiously. Early and Often and as much as you can stand, and then a little more ... it pays off in mobility and flexibility down the road -- and not doing it has the opposite effect

Best of luck and hang in there!

[MRG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayinpenn ...snip.. My goal is to return after the new year ... Do I simply say "hey doc I am in no rush to return until after the holidays?" I know there are established time offs for regular surgeries.

I'd ask but don't expect too much. Perhaps non-disability time off to recover. A neurosurgeon once did that for me, he wouldn't let me go back 3 for weeks after my disability was considered treated. I lost disability but still had FMLA coverage. He didn't want me to drive 62 miles each way. He was right, the third day I couldn't feel my hands anymore.

Take care, glad you are mending.

[rayinpenn]

Great news! Saw surgeon today and he said return to work on 2/1/2016.

When to get staples out- made a mistake by not taking a pill before. Bam traffic jam and lots of walking... By the time I come home I couldn't get two pills down fast enough. Based on today I doubt 1/1 would be possible. Need to work on that
PT.


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