HUGS, PRAYERS, GOOD WISHES FOR KIRA!

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  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited October 2010

    Small victories are indeed enormous -- as all here in your sweel sisterhood know.

    Please continue to be your own best advocate.

    Forgiving ourselves (like when I lost all of my artwork/quilts) is such a challenge. We are human. We are under such gen-u-ine stress & rigors. Please allow the healing to soak into the parts of you that want to defy the truth of your being able to take a fall in our midst.

    I so wish that you hadn't tumbled, but in that you did, it makes me love you just that much bigger and fiercer that you hurt new and additionally.

    Kira. We treasure all that you do for us. All that you learn. All that you share. We are so very proud of you for bringing this 'plight' of ours to the medical community -- as you are uniquely qualified to do.

    Please allow our love and respect into your heart, where it still hurts.

    No more name calling, cuz you're hurting a she-ro to all of us, when that happens.

    ((((((((((((Kira)))))))))))))))

    xx00xx00xx00xx

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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited October 2010

    So sorry this happened to you!!!

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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited October 2010

    Kira,

    I was out of town for a few days and I missed Binney's post. I am so sorry to read about your slip and fall. I know that you are taking the best possible care of your hand and arm. I hope that your employer became more reasonable. I'm thinking of you and hoping that your recovery is smooth. You must have the most incredible therapist, making house call! Feel good

    Amy

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  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 2,228
    edited October 2010

    Kira,

    I am sorry this happened to you. I just joined the LE club after a fall last week, and it was nothing compared to yours. You have my greatest sympathy, and I hope your spirits are better. You are in my thoughts, and wishing you ALL the best.

    Traci

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  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited October 2010

    Kira:  So sorry to hear about your unfortunate accident.  My LE bracelet only says "No BPor needles in the arm" . It doesn't say anything about what to do if you have an accident on it!  I know you will get the best of care for it.  My prayers are with you for a quick and safe healing.

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  • Julie50
    Julie50 Member Posts: 227
    edited October 2010

    My prayers for a quick recovery.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited August 2013

    Thanks for all the posts.

    I saw my LE therapist today, and my work is not being reasonable, and Polly was insistent that I take a LOA: she said that my LE is going to be worse, but if it's irreversibly worse, and I didn't rest during the crucial period of healing, I'll feel terrible.

    She wrote a note, and I faxed it to the hand surgeon and work.

    I'm bruised from fingers/palm to elbow: all from a "crack"

    Also, Binney sent me a very pointed, plainly written email that this is serious, this can be permanent and this is MY life--and after I got over the shock, I realized she wrote the truth.

    Considering the office manager called me at the hand surgeon's and demanded I come in the next day, and I discovered she over-booked me for this week--she doesn't and will never get it. I can't write, I can't use my dominant hand, I can't wash my hands, I can't examine patients--my former office mate says I'm an "impaired physician"--and she's right too.

    So, I dread the next contact from my work, but I thank everyone, and I thank Binney and Polly (my LE therapist) for telling me that stoicism isn't going to get me points here--just the possibility of lymphedema that may progress and be resistant to treatment.

    Binney says no one gets it but us: since my DH is terrified that I'll be fired, and desperately wants me back at work--I've got to agree.

    Years ago, he dislocated his thumb, and was in a cast for a couple of weeks: did he try and do dentistry?? No!

    So, I'm slowly feeling better, and know I'm in great hands--no pun--with my LE therapist, and wish my employers had a shred of empathy.

    Imagine a stern email from Binney--sends shivers down your spine, but sure made me pay attention!

    Thanks!

    Kira

    Squidwitch--what happened? Are you okay?

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  • sisterinspirit
    sisterinspirit Member Posts: 204
    edited October 2010

    Kira,

    Been thinking of you and hope you are on the mend.  I vote for the LOA.  You need to take care of yourself for the best possible outcome.  We are cheering for you. 

    Your adoring fan,

    Deb 

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited October 2010

    Sorry you have to continue to battle an unempathetic employer.  As if the pain and worry from your fall isn't enough to deal with right now. 

    Gentle hugs.

    P.S. What does Binney say about typing a long post?Wink  (Even though I am glad to see you.)

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited October 2010

    Hmmmm...hunt-and-peck only, using just the right hand, and with the left arm elevated.

    Wink!
    Binney, in stern mode

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited October 2010

    Sharon, you're right--no more two handed typing...Foot in mouth

    kira

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  • lionessdoe
    lionessdoe Member Posts: 780
    edited October 2010

    Kira, may I suggest next correspondence from you to employer be CC'd to a labor attorney? Or vice the versa?

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  • Estel
    Estel Member Posts: 3,353
    edited October 2010

    Kira - So Sorry about your fall and the BS your employer is putting you through.  GRRR! 

    Sending healing thoughts your way and favor from your employer.  Glad Binney is on your case!  Wink

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  • KS1
    KS1 Member Posts: 632
    edited October 2010

    This is absolutely crazy.  Kira, the ADA clearly covers situations like this -- it is against the law to fire (and fail to hire) a person because of a disability.  I have a vague memory/impression that you are in MA.  If so, this is good news because MA has a good track record when it comes to disability discrimination.  Aside from it being simply unreasonable and could have long-term health consequences for you, if you are involved in direct patient-care, it is not a great idea from the patient's perspective.  Aside from the "how do I do a physical exam/document the findings," what about infection control.  

    A couple of months after BC surger, I partially tore a tendon in my dominant and now LE wrist (happened in PT while doing stretching exercises.  talk about stupid) .  I was in the middle of radiation rx so casting was inconsistent with position I needed to be in for radiation.  I think lack of early immobilization is part of the reason it took  6+ months to heal, and my wrist is still not completely stable.  So keep it still.   Elevation, keeping still, celebrex,  flexoral patches, worked more than heavy duty narcotics. I wasn't a tv-watcher, but found watching TV also helped.  My favs were  BBC miniseries "House of Card" (dark), the Wire (dark & violent), and the Shield (very violent & dark).  If you haven't watched House MD), you might also try it.  It's cheesy, but I found trying to get the diagnosis very distracting (never got the final diagnosis, but usually got some of the interim ones).  Hugs & sympathy-- KS1

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited October 2010

    KS1--Near MA, but over the border--it's completely illegal, unethical and opens us all up to liability--what if I miss something important with a one hand exam? what if a patient falls? do I hurt my hand helping her? what if my cast becomes MRSA colonized?

    I need to chill about this and go elevate and do MLD--I like your TV choices!

    One handed typing is SLOW

    kira

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  • annadou
    annadou Member Posts: 221
    edited October 2010

    Kira

    Just want to add my very best wishes to you

    Hugs

    Anna

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2010

    I just can't believe they would want you to examine patients in your condition. The liability thing is just nutty. A LOA is definitely called for. 

    About 7 years ago, I broke my OTHER foot pretty badly (yes, I did the same thing twice). My orthopedic dr. said I needed to be out of work for 6-8 weeks and my leg and foot needed to be elevated much of the time. As the 6 wk mark approached, the nurse who dealt with workers comp stuff, called and mentioned my returning to work. However, I had just seen the orthopedic guy, and he said I needed to stay casted another 2 wks and should remain home. He said that if I started going in to work, even with the best intentions of keeping my leg/foot elevated, that I'd end up hobbling around and doing more than I should. So when I told the nurse this, and she countered that they'd set everything up for me and make sure I was fine, I just repeated what the dr. had said. She gave me a hard time until I finally said, "Look, I only have two feet and I have to live with them for the rest of my life. I'm not inclined to return two weeks earlier when I will be the one who would have to live with a poorly healed foot and pain. She backed right off and I was out the final two weeks. My point is, employers will try and get away with whatever they can. I really urge you to push back. 

    I'm so sorry you have to deal with the employer thing on top of worrying about your hand and arm.

    Hugs, 

    Tina 

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited November 2010

    Jo, the orthopedic surgeon told me to "use my judgement" and is out of the country for a week: I'm waiting on a note from him.

    Had a horrible interaction with work where the office manager threatened to fire me, and put a lot of pressure on me to come in.

    Unfortunately, LE isn't understood--even by family members--so my dh can't understand my reluctance to "give it a try".

    Sure does add stress to a stressful situation.

    Thanks for the support.

    Kira

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited November 2010

    Kira, a dumb question but they do understand the broken hand part at least, don't they? 

    I can feel such an awful sensation in the pit of my stomach when I try to imagine what you are going through.

    Gentle hugs.

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited November 2010

    Kira, sorry to hear that the office manager isn't willing to work with you but I see all your arguments are very valid arguments, you are looking out for the patient's health as well as your long term health. Stick to your guns.

    Sheila 

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited November 2010

    Thanks! It's a small family run business, and the office manager is the boss' daughter, and they're very difficult to deal with--I knew that--but never had to confront them before.

    They think their needs trump everything else. Period.

    The office manager/daughter doesn't even "get" the fracture. I'm in a cast, right? I'm fixed. She called me as I walked in the door last week from the hand surgeons and demanded I get right back to work.

    This shouldn't be unexpected, but it is SO unpleasant.

    She's married to a lawyer, perhaps she should talk to him about employee rights...

    And I sure wish my dh would understand, and not freak about me losing my job. Big deal.

    Kira

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited August 2013

    (((((Kira)))))

    It hurts all the more when it hits closer to home. :(

    (Or at home as the case may be.)

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited August 2013

    JO, less-he's a real tyrant. He harrasses the other radiation oncologist mercilessly. I haven't gone in, but am thinking about it. The boss is older, and out of town about 50% of the time--I think they hadn't realized how much I cover him.

    Just saw my LE therapist who advised that I be true to what I would advise a patient with LE and a fracture, and earlier I  spoke to the hand surgeon's secretary who thinks it's all outrageous.

    So hard to resist the craziness and their needs and my dh's needs for everything to be "normal".

    Kira

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    I just wanted to say that I'm thinking of you, Kira and hope your work situation is resolved. Most importantly, I hope your body is continuing heal. I'm contemplating and picturing your bone cells becoming strong, and the LE fluid in your hand, arm, and trunk flowing freely like a stream. No stagnant pools, channels are opening and clearing. Maybe this sounds silly, but it's the visualization I came up with one day when thinking about my own LE.

    Hugs,

    Tina

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited November 2010

    Tina, that's a beautiful visualization. Thank you--and healing is the most important thing.

    Kira

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  • BoobsinaBox
    BoobsinaBox Member Posts: 550
    edited November 2010

    Kira,

    Thinking of you and hoping your employers get their heads on straight, and your dh also.  I don't know why this has to be so hard for people to understand!  I just know it is.

    Dawn 

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited November 2010

    Kira,

     I am so sorry you're having to deal with all of the drama on top of just having to worry about your arm and hand...I'm sending prayers and good thoughts your way.  And my gosh!!!  I cannot imagine Binney being stern.  You must have really needed it.  Tongue out

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited August 2013

    Yeah, I did--I'm trying hard to ignore work, but got back from teaching at the med school (where everyone was incensed on my behalf---felt good) to find a message--what to do with tomorrow's patients???!!!! I told them I was out until further notice. I can teach, I can't do clinical work.

    I went to vote, and the woman at the polls asked if it hurt when I signed, and thanked me for coming out, and I almost burst into tears. All I hear is what a slacker I am, and someone thanked me!

    I did g-chat with my younger daughter, who told me to tell work and dh to F##$$ themselves. 

    When you deal with malignant narcissists ( and my co-teacher a psychologist agrees that they are) it's hard not to buy into their nonsense.

    They called me at the hand surgeon's and demanded I come to work! Come on!

    But, I almost caved, until Binney said "make time for this now, or make time for it for the rest of your life."

    I forgot a sharpie for my students to sign my cast.

    Kira

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited November 2010
    Bless the woman at the polls.  Are you sure it wasn't Binney?Wink
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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited November 2010

    Kira.....

    There are all sorts of reasons why you can teach and not examine patients.  One of them is that it is really hard to do something like palpate someone's abdomen with your hand in a cast.  They would, however, remember the experience.  Bet it's hard to use a stethoscope too.  What about taking notes???

    In your shoes, I would add brass knuckles to my cast and use them on the next person who suggested I could work normally.  Seriously, any sensory information you get from using your dominent hand just wouldn't be reliable.

    As for your husband, I can understand his concern that you could lose your job.  However, he needs to understand there are other jobs out there where I bet people would be a lot more sympathetic.  After all, you teach at a med school.  Tell him the facts of life.

    I am sorry that you fell and broke your hand.  I once had a hairline fracture in my right wrist, and I still remember how much it hurt.  I could use my hand, but I understand why you can't.  I remember being deathly afraid that I would fall and reinjure it.

    Anyway, feel better.  You would be having most of these issues w/o LE.  But with LE, you need to err on the side of caution.  Good luck. - Claire

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