HUGS, PRAYERS, GOOD WISHES FOR KIRA!

Oh, Kira ~ ***hugs*** ~ I just now saw this post, and I am so very, very sorry for all this junk you're going through.  I have nothing to add, but just want you to know I'm thinking of you.  Please do take care and don't cave in for that office manager!

Artemis

Good for you Kira!!  (and Binney too.)

Glad to see your post is short too!

Here's to a swift healing.

Leah, it would be too logical. I do care so much for the patients, but have realized the depth of the employers disreguard, and lack of compassion.

I emailed a bunch of LE researchers for advice: all were universal in advising rest and elevation. All were wonderful and helpful.

Sharon, they were short emails.

Back to elevate and MLD.

Kira

Update: I saw the hand surgeon this morning: they cut off my royal blue cast--and my hand wasn't too scary--still stiff and swollen near the break, but no pod hand--I had tendons, just lots of loose "sharpei" skin. It didn't feel good to try and move it.

They took a quick film, and he was pleased with the x-ray, but when I was still sore when he pushed on the fracture--he put me back in a new cast for 2-3 more weeks. And it's 3 weeks, because he's away at the 2 week mark.

We discussed work, and he said he was less worried about what I did while in a cast, then when we go to the removable splint (and then I pointed out that I do rectal exams, breast exams) and he put me out of work for another 3 weeks.

This new cast is much tighter--I guess the swelling has gone down, and I don't like tight things on my arm/hand--the tech said he'd change it any time I don't like it. But, in retrospect, the other cast was hanging pretty loose.

So, feeling guilty, but I'm certain that the reasonalbe state of my hand has everything to do with constant elevation, lots of MLD and rest.

New cast is purple--the "new gray"--per the physician's assistant.

Just teaching, and going a bit stir crazy, but as Binney said : Make time for this now, or make time for it in the rest of your life."

I'm doing some research for one of the LE training schools, and that helps with the time.

I said to the hand surgeon: "I just don't want a pod hand." And  he said "That won't happen." Right, because my LE therapist is on the case too, and all the wonderful women on these boards who remind me to set my priorities straight.

Kira

Great to hear your news Kira.  Prayers for steady healing.  And LESS typing.

Kira, I'm sorry, but the idea of you doing rectal and breast exams with a cast - or splint - made me laugh. Glad he kept you out another 3 wks to R & E. 

Actually, if you're feeling stir crazy, you must be feeling better!! Best wishes for continued healing and decline in swelling. 

Tina 

Update: one more week of the cast, and I did find good info on the fracture--and the rehab.

http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw021.htm

I know an OT who is trained in LE therapy, and we talked yesterday about her doing my hand therapy.

Now, work: I sent them an email offering to start to come in last week: no response. Emailed again today, and was told to stay away! 

I'm still on temporary disability, and I figure unemployment is coming my way.

Now, I teach, and I have to give finals today: and the course director is getting me a laptop and dictaphone so I don't have to write--took one email. Why can't my clinical work get it?

My fingers have started to swell at times, but I'm wrapping and doing MLD. I did have a too tight cast that caused my elbow to swell, but have a much better one now. Seeing the amazing LE therapist once or twice a week.

Kira

Slow and steady Kira.  It's really heart warming when people do what they can to make things easier.  And a kick in the pants when others do what they can to be of no help at all.  Quite rude of work not to reply to your email last week.  Oh well, at least you won't have to write them a 'thank you' note.  Bless their hearts.

Thanks for the support--I'm surprised at how painful the work thing is: but , this is the office where the manager/daughter of the rad onc called me as I walked in the door from getting my first cast and demanded that I show up at the office immediately.

But to be told that I am not welcome at the center, it's just nasty, and unprofessional.

She threatened to fire me when I told her I'd be in the cast for 6 weeks: so at least she's not deviating from her behavior.

As you said: I'm living with this forever, and they've made their stance quite clear.

I had a bad feeling that first week, and put myself back on my DH's insurance--one less thing to worry about.

Thanks, you'd think I knew how nuts they are, but it still is upsetting.

Kira

Were you offering to see patients again Kira?  Maybe your employer just doesn't want to admit they were wrong after insisting you return to work immediately after your injury.  How would OSHA regulations affect your work with hand washing policies?  Some years ago when I was wearing a gauntlet, my employment required me to do finger pick blood testing and it was a nuisance taking the gauntlet off all the time so I could wash my hands before and after each test. 

Glad to hear you found a LE trained OT to help with your therapy.  Hoping that it all goes very well!

Well i don't see how that nurse could possibly do all the handwashing etc required in ER while wearing a glove and sleeve, don't large employers have to move you sideways to an equivalent job if you develop a lasting disability like LE that affects your work? I'm so glad she succeeded.

And I'm totally with those who have said that you shouldn't be examining patients in your state or putting yourself at risk! But from what you've said Kira I can't see that you would be out of work for long, is there any chance you might quit the clinical side altogether and go for full time on the teaching duties?

Sher, cast is due off on Tuesday, and then into a splint. I contacted the OT where I send most of my LE patients, and she can do my hand therapy--I'll have to push to go "out of house" as the hand surgeon has a big group on the premises.

My hand does swell at times--mostly in the evenings, when it always had a tendency. I finger wrap, with "carrots" of gray foam for night time.

I've been told to expect a fair amount of swelling when I come out of the cast--and am not looking forward to it at all.

Work is being horrible--at least they are true to form--so I'm bringing DH to help me advocate for realistic restrictions from the hand surgeon.

I'm fairly terrified right now: I had things under such good control, and now, all bets are off, but my wonderful LE therapist, who saw me today, will see me the day after the cast comes off and as much as I need her.

Thanks for asking. 

The good news is that my hand feels better--the broken bone doesn't hurt anymore, and I have more dexterity in the fingers. My skin is gross--scaling like crazy, despite vanicream.

And, thanks to tamoxifen, I have to have a work up for polyps, I delayed a week until aftter the cast was off, as I need to go on antibiotics for the test, and would go nuts if itchy and I couldn't see it....Always something.

Kira

Oh Kira....oh my.... I just read this post now...I am so very sorry.  Gosh, please take care of yourself.  I will be sending some positive thoughts as well as some prayers for your speedy recovery.

Hugs

Cat

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

And so begins a brand new day.

A new era.

A new leaf.

A new beginning.

Wishing you well as you now can 'see' what you're up against.

All the best as you regain the progress you'd established previously.

xx00xx00xx00xx

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

Strength and courage.

Kira,

I'm so glad your hand is responding to MLD, and I continue to send optimistic thoughts your way, as you continue to heal!

Dawn