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SEPTEMBER DISCUSSION: Are you back at work? How's it going so far?

Kennarina
1 Recommendation

As assigned by Jaynie a while back, here's a stab at my designated September general topic: "WORK"!

First, I want to revisit a classic and hilarious posting on this site from June 2008 from 'Bklyn Violet' (who alas is probably back at work now, and no longer posts here). But if you're still here, Bklyn Violet, THANK YOU for this.

I had asked a question, shortly after my heart attack, about how other women with go-go-go, driven, running-around-with-your-hair-on-fire personalities like mine were able to cope with suddenly not being physically able to go back to work, post MI.

Bklyn Violet replied:

"Kennarina, this is NOT going to be helpful to your question of how to chill out and recover as a Type A, because I haven't figured it out. I'm sharing strictly in the interest of Type A solidarity. My MI occurred two weeks after starting a new job. I ended up being out of work for six months, because no way was I returning to the scene of the crime.

'What a relief it was to learn that there is plenty to obsess about in recovery! I stayed in touch with my Type A inner child by furiously studying nutrition and learning to prepare ultra-low-fat meals. Instead of resting, neighbors would find me frantically freezing individual portions in little ziploc bags like the "I Love Lucy" episode with the conveyor belt. I still do this on Sundays. I also went through 10 years of "Cooking Light" magazines, tore out the truly low-fat recipes (a lot of them aren't) and put them into plastic sheets in a binder.

"Then cardiac rehab. More great stuff to obsess about! I timed my workouts to the precise degree of my energy level. Rehab is an obsessive-compulsive's paradise because they constantly monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. The cardiac coaches called me "The Machine" and I don't think it was a compliment. Every single day, on schedule, I walked my neighbor's new puppy. I'm not completely sure, but I think I may have even smelled a rose as we whizzed past at high speed.

"I also became addicted to daytime television and would become irritable if I missed "my shows." Friends got really sick of talking to me, since my end of the conversation went something like, "It's incredible! This woman lost 350 pounds!" Needless to say, I hope you succeed in relaxing better than I have. But if you just manage to redirect your Type A tendencies toward slightly healthier pursuits, you can still recover fine (and maybe even write a cookbook)."

*****
Thanks, Bklyn Violet!!

Now, what about YOU? How soon did you go back to work after your cardiac event? Was it too soon or just right? How was that experience? Are you working right now but having ongoing concerns about your symptoms, or your productivity, or your co-workers? Or your stress level?

In Kathy Kastan's excellent book, 'From The Heart', she includes this quiz to determine if your job is too stressful for a heart patient:

1. Do you have trouble getting up in the morning to go to work?

2. Do you obsess about all of the things you have to do when you get there?

3. Do you have anxious feelings about work even before you walk in the door (shallow breathing, sweating, heart racing)?

4. Do you feel overwhelmed more often than not by all of the work you do?

5. Do you go home feeling worried about all of the unfinished things you haven't done?

6. Do you snap at others at work, perhaps even your boss?

7. Do you go home and feel dissatisfied with your work?

8. Are your work hours incompatible with the rest of your life?

* If you answered YES to three or more questions, you may want to assess whether your job is really right for you and your heart health.


OR..... have you been unable to return to work at all since your cardiac event? And how has that adjustment felt for you?

September's quote to contemplate....

"I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine marriage and a career." - Gloria Steinem

XOXOXO


http://www.myheartsisters.org

Explore topics in this discussion:

Exercise Heart failure Surgery Pericarditis Meditation Sweating Fever Pain Heart attack Congestive heart failure Stent Depression Stress

15 replies

Dgrant

I love this topic, because every time I think about what I actually did after my heart attack, it makes me smile.

I remember that post that you included -- I remember tears flowing from the laughter as I read it!! I hope she's back to work and living a healthy wonderful life -- it would be nice to hear from Bklyn Violet again!!

My heart attack occurred in the weeeee hours of the morning on December 17, 2007. And yes, it is true that on December 18, while I was a patient at the hospital, I had my laptop, foot pedal, and earphones brought in to me so that I could WORK in my hospital bed!!! I figured if I was going to have surgery, I wanted everything to be caught up before I did!!

The truth of the matter was that working kept my mind on something besides myself and my heart attack. In retrospect, it was a good idea for me to focus on something else during that very long day of waiting. My surgery was 2 days after my heart attack, and the doctors strongly advised me not to go home, but to stay in the hospital while I waited for surgery.

I was discharged from the hospital on December 24th. I can't remember the exact date that I went back to work, but it was probably about January 2 or 3.

You see, I own a medical transcription business and I work from home. So, when I say I "went back" to work, that means I got out of bed and walked across the hall.... It's not work that requires a lot of physical strength, you know. Working is probably what saved my sanity during all of that emotional and fearful time immediately post-surgery. Fortunately, I was able to work an hour here, and an hour there -- so I basically worked in 1-hour shifts, then rested or went for a short walk, then worked again. It was really perfect.

One of my clients is a GI specialist and internal medicine physician. His concern and counsel during my recovery period quite literally saved my sanity. My cardiologist was pretty worthless as far as helping me through a very difficult emotional time -- I was not prepared for the fear that I felt once I went home. My client continued to call and check on me and answer the millions of questions that I had. Our families have become friends over the years, and he proved what true friendship is during that time. I will never forget how much he contributed to my mental recovery!!

So, in answer to your question -- when did I go back to work? Well, other than taking a few days off, I never really STOPPED working after my heart attack!!

To clarify one thing, I had actually been employed part time for about 28 years, in addition to my medical transcription business, at the hospital where I had my surgery. I was teaching medical transcription at the time, about 20 hours per week. However, once I left the hospital as a patient, I never did return as an employee. That has been the best decision I ever made. My family & I decided that I didn't need the stress of that part time job. I have since just focused on my business, and I have been able to add another couple of clients. So my income hasn't suffered too much!!

And yes, when I go to the Mayo Clinic in October, I will be bringing my new little purple laptop, my foot pedal, and my ear phones.......I will have to work in my hotel room for a couple of hours each night......I've already informed my clients that I won't be at full production during those days, and they're all fine with it.....

I love my job!! LOL

Dana

Dgrant

Oh, and one more thing --

One of the new clients that I added after my surgery?

The American College of Cardiology in Washington, DC.

How ironic is that? LOL

(I work for them on a large project about once per year.....love it)

AlaskaGirl

I'm probably the odd man (woman) out here. I went back to work at 6 weeks post surgery and have never stopped until I needed back surgery 6 years later. I love working and it took me out of myself and gave me something else to think about other than my heart. For me, it was a god-send. I'm now 15-1/2 years out from a CABGx4 and 1-1/2 years out from 2 med. stents, a WomenHeart Champion and a new Support Network Coordinator. I've not been stopped by anything and going strong. As I said - I'm the odd man (woman) out. AlaskaGirl

Rose

Kenna,

I went back to work a month after my heart attack. I love my job and have great bosses. One of my duties allows me to help women at one of the worst times in their lives, when their husband has just died. I help them get set up to recieve their pension and medical benefit if the are eligible. Many of these women are quite old and their husband always took care of everything. They are very fragile and emotionally wrecked I am glad I can guide them through.

That being said, I went back too soon. I was still emotional myself and exhausted but since I am the manager of the department I feel responsible that I be there to oversea everything. I put this stress on myself. I have trained my assistants completely and they can manage without me. It is four years later and I still have problems with fatigue. Maybe when I retire is a year or two I will finally get enought rest to end the fatigue.

Warm Regards,

Rose

primetimelady

I returned to work 3 months after a 10 day hospital stay that included two heart attacks, two angioplastys, and one stent all within four days. This is my fourth week back to work. The first week I worked 4 hours per day, the second week I worked 5 hours per day, etc. The short work days has helped with the transition of returning to work and helped me get reacquainted with my job. It was a little difficult last week working 6 hours a day and trying to complete phase II of my cardiac rehab; but I did it. Now I am in phase III of the program and go in to rehab at 7am three days per week so I can be at work by 9am. I feel as if cardiac rehab is the most important thing that I have ever done for myself so it is a priority. I have found that working isn't bad but work + home + rehab is a bit difficult-- with at home responsibility being the most difficult. It is a shame that I had 3 months off but for the most part I didn't feel like doing much of anything. Now that I feel better I went back to work and now I don't have the time to do it all. I think the soonest I could have returned to work would have been 9 weeks post MI. At that point I wanted to work a few hours a day from home but my employer wouldn't let me for medical liability reasons. I like being at home but due to the fact that I have grown quite accustomed to food, clothing, & shelter... I work.

Dgrant

Alaska -- I hope your not the odd woman out -- I hope you're the poster child for CABG results!! Except for those stents, I'm not crazy about hearing the need for those -- but I love the 15 years out from surgery and still going strong part!!!! GOOD news!!

heartgoddess

I often feel like I don't belong here because I have had such a fabulous recovery from my MI and quadruple bypass (done off pump), which was in December 2003. I work full time at the same company I worked for when I got sick, returned half days for two weeks and then full time, eight weeks after surgery. I graduated from cardiac rehab three weeks after starting (so I was six weeks out at the time)...and haven't stopped since. I walk, work out, and do pretty much any activities that I please. So, yes, there is life after an MI, and you can do it too!

primetimelady

Congratulations Heartgoddess! Your recovery sounds awesome and I definitely agree that there is life after a MI; however, for most people... post MI requires a change of lifestyle. Which includes the activities you do. I imagine many MI patients were sedantary prior to their MI. Cardiac rehab may have been the first exercise they experienced in years. You do belong with this group because you as a long-term survivor can share your enthusiasm and story with those of us who are recent MI survivors. It is amazing that you graduated from rehab in three weeks. I think most medical insurance currently provides coverage for 24 visits & Medicare guidelines covers 36 visits, so people tend to attend rehab for 8-12 weeks. Some people have other medical conditions that slows down their recovery time. I am an insulin dependent diabetic which slowed down my recovery. I am doing pretty darn good now-- but in the beginning I was weak & scared.

goingstrong

I went back to work about 9 months after - not becasue I couldn't go back sooner, I was just between jobs - and moving from Ohio back to Houston, living in an RV and trying to figure out what exactly living with a CABBAGE really meant.

Once the fear of a repeat subsided, I was ok. I have actually been working part time in a Walgreen's clinic but recently went from 20 hr/week down to 16 hr/month and find that I just can't keep up with the changes and new services offered, so.................

Tomorrow I'm resigning................ and since I'm now on Medicare (hit that old 65!!) and have begun Social Security, I figure I've earned it and I'm removing that stress. I was really concerned about how stressed I was feeling while at work and what that was doing to my heart!

Plus, while here in Georgia, doing my summer "retreat" BLISS thing, I realized my knee was giving me fits and I just had arthroscopic surgery done last week. It's much better this week so hopefully I can once again exercise the way my heart NEEDS!

I won't say I won't ever work again, as I might in a small charity clinic (I have a bit of a passion for the underserved and we certainly seem to have more and more of them every month!!!) but for now, it's........

Talley Ho!

Lynn

heartgoddess

I made lots of changes, but incorporated them into my life in such a way that my life is richer for it. I am so grateful to my doctors and nurses, who were so encouraging to me. I graduated from rehab early because they saw that I took to the exercise like a duck to water, and when I showed them that I had joined a club and had a couple of personal trainers they gave me the green light to graduate from rehab. I have never looked back.

However...

For weeks after my surgery, I was terrified to go to sleep, because I thought I wouldn't wake up, and I was so weak and depressed that I couldn't apply nail polish to my fingernails, even though I wouldn't be caught dead without painted nails! :) I needed help for the depression, and eventually my normal attitudes returned, and I was able to stop taking the antidepressant.

I am one of the lucky ones, I know! I stop by every day to read what you all are posting!

primetimelady

For the first few weeks after my two MIs I was a lot like Heartgoddess. I thought I wasn't ever going to feel better. I didn't try to paint my nails but walking out to the mailbox was an effort. Now 17 weeks later--for the most part I feel so good that sometimes I forget to pace myself & wear myself out. Unfortunately, I continue to have chest discomfort for no known reason. It feels a little bit like swelling and inflammation but everything seems to check out. While I was in the hospital I had post MI pericarditis maybe that is why I still have chest discomfort. Although, I haven't been running any fever. Oh well, I just know that I feel a lot better than I did & I have a whole new outlook on life... and it is good.

Lynnedz56

I didn't have a heart attack, but I have congestive heart failure and I had a stent placed on May 14th. I only took 5 days off of work and it has been a struggle going back. I leave early 3 days a week to do cardiac rehab. The problem with my job is it is EXTREMELY stressful. I do collections and we have quotas and have to be assertive on the phone and listen to excuses all day. I was always extremely competitive, but have had to learn that my health is more important than my job. In fact, this has been a life changing event and work is not helping. I struggle on, but might have to make that big decision down the road...is my job affecting my heart condition.

primetimelady

I stress in traffic. Yesterday I read that if a cardiac patient stress in traffic, then they should probably get a job closer to home.

pclipper

Big issue! I went back without really even hesitating six weeks after my M.I., part-time at first and then full-time, but it didn't go particularly well, spent a lot of time in emerge (and even more time wondering if I should go to emerge), some time in hospital and finally, five months to the day after the MI, I was back in hospital awaiting a CABBAGE (sometimes we sound like crazed vegetarians, lol). I didn't go back after that for a year and a half, partly because my employer was also worried about liability.

There were up sides and down sides: I got to do cardiac rehab twice because it was interrupted the first time, and I did a weight loss program and a meditation program and joined the Raging Grannies too. I initially scheduled myself up for every cheap or free event of interest that seemed healthy or enjoyable that I could find.. makes me exhausted just to think of it! ;-)

They do say that type A's are really good at rehab! I bought and read dozens of heart books and cook books and I made gazillions of heart healthy dishes and cooked elaborate meals for myself, usually starting with a large salad which I ate while cooking the other courses...

I loved being off work and dedicating my time to my health and wellbeing and being slimmer and replacing my wardrobe was fun too. I learned some valuable lessons also: any thoughts I had that I might finally have enough money or time when I retired were exposed for the delusion that they are... I also planned to put all the recipes and magazine articles and workout suggestions in binders, but I only got that project partially completed.. it's still in a box under a million books....

Anyway, I've been back at work for close to a year ... it's great! While I was away a number of thorns in my side got promoted or retired ;-)))!!. I love the stimulation and mental challenges and extra money that work provides... so I see that I can do either not work or work and be perfectly happy! More important, I now know that happy really doesn't have a lot to do with what you are experiencing: it seems to be an innate state that is easily thrown off balance... I remember after becoming a mother that I felt myself practically invulnerable to pain: I would have to undergo some minor medical procedure and I would think... piece of cake! I've had a baby!... now I have a fairly similar response to work stress... not that it doesn't get me from time to time, but I catch myself at it so much quicker and am able to disengage so much more often. Part of this is definitely related to skills picked up through meditation.. definitely recommend it!

The biggest problems are seriously not enough time and much less stamina.. and those two things are clearly related, and probably not unrelated to too much beta blocker in combination with calcium channel blocker and statins etc.... the more I do physically the less fit I feel and the weight just keeps on comin! I'm guessing my heart is underfunctioning and carrying around more weight and getting more exercise are too much of a challenge.. I don't have the time or energy to do the elaborate mealplanning that floated my weight loss when I was off work, and I do daydream a bit about working part-time!

It's all an adventure, isn't it?

Hugs, Penny

primetimelady

Pclipper--- there is a lot of truth in what you said. I too loved being at home. It was the first time in my life I could fully concentrate on me, my needs, and my wants. My heart attack was a wake up call because prior to it I didn't work out on a regular basis and I smoked 1-2 packes per day. My eating habits were pretty good but i would skip taking my insulin to help me lose weight (that is an entire different blog). Yes, I risked my well being over being a size 8 rather than a size 6. So... as I said I loved the 3 months I had at home to work on me and educate myself. After 3 months I had to return to work.

Now that I have returned to work I am like you. I am finding that time and energy is against me. I do manage to get up at 5:30am three mornings a week to get to cardiac rehab (phase 3) by 7am and then drive the 35 miles to get to my office by 9am. That means three times a week I don't get out of work until 5:30pm with nearly an hour drive home. Which means by then I am tired & have no energy or desire to do anything else. On the weekends I have to get the household chores done, so I feel like I don't have a day off. I sure do miss the time I had during my 3 month sick leave. I suspect my life isn't much different than millions of other women.

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