Difficulty working

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Hi everyone I am now 12 weeks post op and doing great xstill walking with crutch more for reassurance really when I'm out at home its no crutch but at a much slower pace. .I went back to work and am really struggling 8hrs on my feet and a really fast pace which I am really struggling with :-( I'm trying to look for another job but that's harder than I thought lol x Was thinking of a job from home or online any if you lovely hippies have any advice for me please xxxx trouble is people at work think once your hip is done you should be like superwoman I wish lol xx

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  • Posted

    I'll bet it is extraordinarily difficult for you to be on your feet for 8 hours a day at 12 weeks with a fast-paced job, plus commuting to and from work. I so wish you didn't have to return to work yet, or that you could have returned at fewer hours. I have no suggestions about how to work from home, I'm sorry. I can only suggest that you do your best to educate those at work about you are capable of physically, and what you cannot do. Hope they can understand! 
    • Posted

      I find that when I tell people that they start the operation by dislocating your leg from your hip, most people turn green and say that they have heard enough. Then I say, "but I have not got to the sawing, drilling and hammering yet"...

      Generally, people are quite squeemish and want to change subject. I would really drive home the extent of trauma that the surgery does to the body. 

      Michael

    • Posted

      Good idea Michael, great suggestion you might get a little more support if they actually know what has happened to you... some people have no idea what is involved.
  • Posted

    Hi Vanessa,

    I feel for you too.  The eight hours might be tolerable if it was not fast paced.  Do you have a pair of really comfortable shoes?  A pair with a lot of cushion?  For I image the floors you stand on are concrete? Also, If you can, try taking a few seconds many times a work shift to pump the blood up from your legs by rocking from heel to toe and back.  It works wonders for alleviating fatigue.

    Another tip would be to have another pair of shoes to change into for the second have of the shift.  You could wear a pair of support tights or hose to help with fatigue also.

    I used to work 12 to 14 hours a day and I learned all these tricks.  But I did not have a THR. Since my THR's, I have found that wearing a support pair of tights keeps me feeling all together.  Tight. Less pain, better circulation.  Then when I would go home, I would lay for 15 minutes with my feet and legs propped up, like on the back of my sofa and do stretches into the air.  That felt wonderful.

     I think you are wise to begin looking for another job.  I do not know of any legit home jobs, for I too have tried to find the same and all I can find is questionable. There are people who find them, but I sure would like to know how.

    Lastly, I agree with Annie, that you need to educate them about your surgery.  Oh, I just thought of something funny but effective, direct them to the YouTube video of a THR so they can see what you went through!

    I wish you well and am sending you strength...

    Dawn, USA 

    • Posted

      What an interesting idea - a second pair of choes. But, I must ask - why? Is it because they will have more 'bounce' in the inner soles? I am intrigued.

      Loving the other tip of laying on your back and stretching. I shall try both of these. Thank you.

      Michael

    • Posted

      That should be shoes, not choes or even Choo's...
    • Posted

      My feet grew tired of the same pair and changing them gave me a new start.  I have found that if, after standing for hours, my feet swell, not much, but enough that if I put the same shoes on again, it hurts and I am miserable.  So I learned to change shoes, and it sort of refreshes my feet.  If that makes sense.  

       

  • Posted

    Hi Vanessa, 

    Wow, that is tough ... You are right about people thinking that once you had the THR surgery, you should do things better than before - we will, but it takes time -

    I started to volunteer in a senior home for a couple of hours a day 2-3 times a week - I can tell you that I feel bruised, stiff, muscles are achy etc when I come home and I am 24 weeks post-op from 2nd THR ...

    One of the other volunteers has broken her wrist: very visible right - cast was already removed but her fingers and hand were still swollen - It is not that I don't sympathize but for some reason, when you can show them something, there is more understanding ...unless you meet someone who had gone through the same thing -

    I know you feel responsible and want to really keep up the pace required, however, you are physically not ready yet - 

    I am sure you have talked it over with them, maybe to work fewer hours - it is time to speak up, darling - you come first now - 

    Question: do you like your job otherwise?   

    Take care and be kind to yourself - 

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • Posted

      You are so right Renee!  If people cannot see the injury, then they cannot empathize.  People do not consider beyond the surface.
  • Posted

    Hi Vanessa, 

    I had to be retired on ill health from my job as I could no longer get up and down off the floor (I worked with small children). It was lifechanging and devastating but I had to think of a new career that fitted with my restrictions.

    My partner works but we have had to change the standard of living we had and after I recover from my 2nd  hip (two weeks old) I will return to building my new business.

    After the first hip I couldn't imagine returning to 35 hours a week on my feet and certainly not now. I don't think any of us who were working in full time physical jobs were ever advised that things would have to change. 

    I wish you luck finding something else, Vanessa, not putting added stress on your hips is so important

  • Posted

    Is there any chance you could go to your GP and explain the difficulties? Possibly you could be signed off for another few weeks? That sounds tremendously exhausting and is not good for your recovery.

    If you can afford to, could you not speak with your employer and reduce your hours? 

    I am having the same issue with people thinking you are suprerwoman after a certain period of time, in reality you do need to rest more, make time for your physio etc etc you may well not be back up to your normal speeds for a while longer yet. 

    I hope you find a new job or a solution to the current one. I don't think I would be able to work those hours continuously either... 

    • Posted

      PS Continue to take your crutch as well, you may well find such hours really demanding for your hip and will be limping badly without it, secondly a visual aid to remind people you are not quite up to speed yet too, and should treated carefully.

       

  • Posted

    i KNOW how you feel, today I am 8 weeks out, been on my feet 8 hours a day as well.(security) I have developed plantar fascia in my good foot, so it is painful to walk, on top of the hip. I am just going to work and hoping one day it will be good. I walk slow, and the muscles in both legs ache. Some of my co workers are great, yet others do not care. Par for life I guess. Looking for another job is also tough. Wish you the best!!
    • Posted

      hi jess, 

      take care honey -- seems a bit  early to do such a job ... 

      just go slowly and be aware of your posture as much as you can - rest in between -

      bi warm hug

      renee

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