Okay, so in one of my more recent posts, I gave all y'all the update on my surgery and told you I'd be following up with Dr. Feelgood mid-July. Well, since it's August, you can bet your sweet bippy I've seen the doc. I'm not back to work yet, but am scheduled to do so next Monday. Why the delay, you ask?
Well, when I saw the doc, I hadn't driven in a few months (when I need to drive over an hour each way to work), couldn't fully turn my head and was still having difficulties sleeping resulting in dizziness, disorientation, concentration issues and essentially total memory failure. To this, my doctor stated although there was no "bio-mechanical" reason for me not to work (aka the surgery worked and the fusion was healing on schedule), he gave me another 3 1/2 weeks off of work to get me back used to driving, allow me to work on being able to turn my head and try to get some sleep with the new sleeping pills he described.
So I jumped through all the hoops, made more phone calls than I feel I should have had to to get the insurance company what they needed, and what do I get? 2 1/2 weeks AFTER my appointment, I get a call telling me my extension was denied. Meaning no pay (that's $0 folks) for 3 1/2 weeks and the possibility I wouldn't have a job to go back to.
Hysterics ensued. I made a few phone calls (Smiley, Mom, HR...) and managed to calm down. Mom agrees to help. HR says my job's not in jeopardy. HR gives me info to appeal the decision.
That was last week. Two days ago, I receive an email from HR stating that as of the date of my appointment (two and a half weeks ago, mind you), I had 48 hours left of FMLA. 48 hours. Really? Nice.
Another phone call to HR informs me that although it is correct that the 48 remaining hours have technically expired, they have not been applied. To apply these hours, I need to have my doctor fill out more forms. Once HR has these forms, they'll apply the 48 hours and then tell my boss to post my position. So TECHNICALLY, my job's not in jeopardy. Yet. Until they get the forms back. And HR would need to have filled my position before I go back to work on Monday for it to actually be in jeopardy.
Does this make any sense to ANYONE? How is this encouraging me to get this paperwork back in a timely manner? And, for that matter, what part of I don't know where I am half the time cuz I haven't truly slept in a few months and can barely turn my head does not affect my ability to do my job? Okay, so TECHNICALLY my job description does not specifically state that it is required for me to know who or where I am. But I'm thinking the Department of the Treasury might feel otherwise. (No, I don't work for the Department of the Treasury, but what I do affects things that are monitored on a wide scale by the Department of the Treasury.)
But this has me wondering.... What positions could a person hold who didn't always know who they were or where they were (and other basic knowledge items along the same lines)? Stamp Licker? Professional Area Rug? Silly Putty Tester? Oh! I know! Short Term Disability Case Manager! This explains a lot....
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tweet Tweet
Hey y'all.... For some strange reason, I've decided to open a Twitter account. Feel free to follow me on Twitter, if you feel like it. Can't guarantee I'll post a lot, but since I can do so from my phone.... well, I'm not really without my phone most of the time. :P
Follow @RayannaDeerfox
Follow @RayannaDeerfox
Monday, June 27, 2011
Post Surgery
Just realized that I haven't posted to my blog since the day before my surgery. Figured I should give everyone an update.
The surgery went well, and it seems they only had to fuse two of the vertebrae in my neck (doc was thinking he might have to fuse three). From the time I can remember being conscious after the surgery, the pain in my arm has been gone. Would I do it again? Heck yah.
Stayed in the hospital overnight. Left the next morning. Found out hospital jello at 2 am rocks. Invented a new name for myself. Hospital staff was very friendly and surprisingly helpful.
Okay.... new name.... I'll expand. Every time the nurse/staff came in to do something (put in IV, give me meds, take me to the bathroom, etc....), they had to ask me to verify my name and date of birth. I got tired of this before they even had the IV in. So when the gal came in to start my IV and asked me to verify my name as she was walking through the door, I looked her straight in the eye and said, "Bob." My mother started laughing, and thankfully, so did the gal. Who then proceeded to put in the IV. Funny, she never asked me to verify my real name and date of birth. As she put in the IV, I decided I needed a last name to go with my new first name. I decided my last name should be Notmyname. So my new fake name is Bob Notmyname. I find it amusing.
So anyway, was discharged from the hospital June 3rd and went home to Smiley. Made plans to stay with Mom the next week so I could actually relax and rest. Smiley took me up to Mom's Sunday night. I was kinda nervous about this initially since for the most part, I can only take my family in small doses and here I was willingly subjecting myself to my mother for almost a week.
But I was pleasantly surprised. I had a really good time spending those days with my mother. I got to rest like I needed to, and Mom and I took care of each other as best we could. I also got to visit with family friends who I hadn't seen in a few years who came to visit while I was there. The only problem I had was trying to sleep.
I tried everything. I slept in a recliner. I slept with the collar on. I slept with the collar off. I slept in the bed (which was weird, cuz I slept in my father's bed.... and it was coming up on the one year anniversary of his death). The bed is one of those adjustable beds, and I swear I tried every setting on that bed to try to sleep. My poor mother was so patient and didn't complain. I finally called my doctor who prescribed me Valium to try to help me sleep. The Valium worked the first day (which I slept for almost 24 hrs straight), but hasn't really helped since. :(
But when it came down to it, I almost didn't want to go home. As much as I missed Smiley, Jen, Ebony, Harley, Loki and Shoe.... It was nice not having to worry about feeding the animals, has the dog had her medicine, will I find peace and quiet to sleep when I am actually able to, and all the other inconveniences of daily life.
Since I've been home, there's been daily progress. But unfortunately, I still can't go a full day without pain medicine. I'm down to two a day, but that's still more than I'd like (aka 0). I can turn my head (not all the way, and definitely not quickly), bumps in the road while in a car aren't hurting as bad, and I can go most days without the collar (although I still sleep with the collar to make sure I don't wrench my neck while sleeping).
I'm scheduled to meet with the doctor mid-July to see my progress. At this point, if I had to see the doctor tomorrow, I wouldn't say I'm ready to go back to work. But I'm hoping within the next two weeks or so, I'll see more progress and will be okay'd to return to work. But I'm not rushing myself. Despite the fact that it was labeled as "outpatient surgery", it's still major surgery, still a spine fusion, and I'm not going to take a light attitude and push myself too fast, cuz that won't help me.
Thank you to everyone who wished me well and has kept me in their thoughts. Hopefully, I'll be back to my normal self soon. But I gotta say, Ray on narcotics can be fun.... :P
Will update again soon!
The surgery went well, and it seems they only had to fuse two of the vertebrae in my neck (doc was thinking he might have to fuse three). From the time I can remember being conscious after the surgery, the pain in my arm has been gone. Would I do it again? Heck yah.
Stayed in the hospital overnight. Left the next morning. Found out hospital jello at 2 am rocks. Invented a new name for myself. Hospital staff was very friendly and surprisingly helpful.
Okay.... new name.... I'll expand. Every time the nurse/staff came in to do something (put in IV, give me meds, take me to the bathroom, etc....), they had to ask me to verify my name and date of birth. I got tired of this before they even had the IV in. So when the gal came in to start my IV and asked me to verify my name as she was walking through the door, I looked her straight in the eye and said, "Bob." My mother started laughing, and thankfully, so did the gal. Who then proceeded to put in the IV. Funny, she never asked me to verify my real name and date of birth. As she put in the IV, I decided I needed a last name to go with my new first name. I decided my last name should be Notmyname. So my new fake name is Bob Notmyname. I find it amusing.
So anyway, was discharged from the hospital June 3rd and went home to Smiley. Made plans to stay with Mom the next week so I could actually relax and rest. Smiley took me up to Mom's Sunday night. I was kinda nervous about this initially since for the most part, I can only take my family in small doses and here I was willingly subjecting myself to my mother for almost a week.
But I was pleasantly surprised. I had a really good time spending those days with my mother. I got to rest like I needed to, and Mom and I took care of each other as best we could. I also got to visit with family friends who I hadn't seen in a few years who came to visit while I was there. The only problem I had was trying to sleep.
I tried everything. I slept in a recliner. I slept with the collar on. I slept with the collar off. I slept in the bed (which was weird, cuz I slept in my father's bed.... and it was coming up on the one year anniversary of his death). The bed is one of those adjustable beds, and I swear I tried every setting on that bed to try to sleep. My poor mother was so patient and didn't complain. I finally called my doctor who prescribed me Valium to try to help me sleep. The Valium worked the first day (which I slept for almost 24 hrs straight), but hasn't really helped since. :(
But when it came down to it, I almost didn't want to go home. As much as I missed Smiley, Jen, Ebony, Harley, Loki and Shoe.... It was nice not having to worry about feeding the animals, has the dog had her medicine, will I find peace and quiet to sleep when I am actually able to, and all the other inconveniences of daily life.
Since I've been home, there's been daily progress. But unfortunately, I still can't go a full day without pain medicine. I'm down to two a day, but that's still more than I'd like (aka 0). I can turn my head (not all the way, and definitely not quickly), bumps in the road while in a car aren't hurting as bad, and I can go most days without the collar (although I still sleep with the collar to make sure I don't wrench my neck while sleeping).
I'm scheduled to meet with the doctor mid-July to see my progress. At this point, if I had to see the doctor tomorrow, I wouldn't say I'm ready to go back to work. But I'm hoping within the next two weeks or so, I'll see more progress and will be okay'd to return to work. But I'm not rushing myself. Despite the fact that it was labeled as "outpatient surgery", it's still major surgery, still a spine fusion, and I'm not going to take a light attitude and push myself too fast, cuz that won't help me.
Thank you to everyone who wished me well and has kept me in their thoughts. Hopefully, I'll be back to my normal self soon. But I gotta say, Ray on narcotics can be fun.... :P
Will update again soon!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Under the Knife
Well, tomorrow morning I go under the knife again. And I'm starting to freak out. For the second time in my life, the words "spine" and "surgery" have appeared in the same sentence.
They tell me this surgery will be better than the other, but that doesn't make me feel much better. At least the drugs should be good.
Top Ten Reasons to Look Forward to Spine Surgery:
10. People don't look at you as funny when you park in a handicap stall while wearing appliances.
9. No working for at least another six weeks.
8. Quality time with my family.
7. Popping pills at dinnertime is suddenly socially acceptable.
6. I think I'll look really cool in a collar.
5. No one will yell at me for going out in public in sweatpants.
4. Pain medication may make daytime TV entertaining.
3. Two words: hospital food.
2. People don't make you feel bad for sleeping all day.
and the # 1 reason to look forward to spine surgery...
1. Someone may be able to convince my fiance to buy me flowers.
Okay, well.... I guess I feel better now....
Wish me luck, all!
They tell me this surgery will be better than the other, but that doesn't make me feel much better. At least the drugs should be good.
Top Ten Reasons to Look Forward to Spine Surgery:
10. People don't look at you as funny when you park in a handicap stall while wearing appliances.
9. No working for at least another six weeks.
8. Quality time with my family.
7. Popping pills at dinnertime is suddenly socially acceptable.
6. I think I'll look really cool in a collar.
5. No one will yell at me for going out in public in sweatpants.
4. Pain medication may make daytime TV entertaining.
3. Two words: hospital food.
2. People don't make you feel bad for sleeping all day.
and the # 1 reason to look forward to spine surgery...
1. Someone may be able to convince my fiance to buy me flowers.
Okay, well.... I guess I feel better now....
Wish me luck, all!
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life
Sorry, Smiley, but you gotta know the truth... The one male in my life that is the love of my life is, of course, Harley.
Today, my boy turns 14. Seems like just yesterday that I got him. He was old and crotchety then and he's old and crotchety now. The only real differences are that he used to play more when he was a kitten and didn't complain as much about his butt (I know, TMI).
Happy Birthday, Handsome!
Today, my boy turns 14. Seems like just yesterday that I got him. He was old and crotchety then and he's old and crotchety now. The only real differences are that he used to play more when he was a kitten and didn't complain as much about his butt (I know, TMI).
Happy Birthday, Handsome!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Happy Birthday, hon!
To my soon-to-be step-daughter, happy birthday!
To everyone else, happy Cinco de Mayo!
To everyone else, happy Cinco de Mayo!
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The Chitlin's Random Thoughts
Just so you don't think I'm the only crazy one in this house, here's some of the brain lint the chitlins and other household members come up with:
Katherine: When you see people with spoons, you start to wonder.
Alex: When I dye eggs today, I'm concerned they will turn the color of my hair.
Jen: If swimming is so good for you, why are whales so fat?
Smiley: If elevators when side to side, would they be called sideavators?
Logan: If you see an alligator with a knife, should you run?
Katherine: If a person falls through the floor and then lands on another person and then they both fall through the floor and land on a fork, has that ever happened?
Alex: When you land on rhinoceros, do think scream, or run, or none? Or do you think what the heck, I'll just die?
Jen: Is the guy who wrote the Tootsie Roll jingle a fecalfeliac?
Smiley: Don't eat the chocolate covered raisins the bunnies leave behind.
Logan: If Houses ruled the earth, would we all turn into houses?
Katherine: If the bunny on Hop lays watermelon flavored jelly beans, what does the chicken lay?
Alex: If the universe was a circle, what would the outer universe be? Floop swirled?
This is what I live with, people.... You see how they encourage me? Enable me? Make me worse? Make me giggle incessantly? I love you guys.....
Katherine: When you see people with spoons, you start to wonder.
Alex: When I dye eggs today, I'm concerned they will turn the color of my hair.
Jen: If swimming is so good for you, why are whales so fat?
Smiley: If elevators when side to side, would they be called sideavators?
Logan: If you see an alligator with a knife, should you run?
Katherine: If a person falls through the floor and then lands on another person and then they both fall through the floor and land on a fork, has that ever happened?
Alex: When you land on rhinoceros, do think scream, or run, or none? Or do you think what the heck, I'll just die?
Jen: Is the guy who wrote the Tootsie Roll jingle a fecalfeliac?
Smiley: Don't eat the chocolate covered raisins the bunnies leave behind.
Logan: If Houses ruled the earth, would we all turn into houses?
Katherine: If the bunny on Hop lays watermelon flavored jelly beans, what does the chicken lay?
Alex: If the universe was a circle, what would the outer universe be? Floop swirled?
This is what I live with, people.... You see how they encourage me? Enable me? Make me worse? Make me giggle incessantly? I love you guys.....
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