Well I supposedly had my day in court. The judge's order directs me to have not vocational rehabilitation but job placement-I know have to have ten contacts hopefully with interviews each week. How in the world are they going to put me in a job where I don't overdo and cause my so-called mild side to get worse. They took my restrictions from the pain management doctor-He is no surgeon, not involved with rehab in any way, but yet he got to render my restrictions. I don't even vacuum or clean my house anymore cause it's so hard and they think I can go work all day somewhere. You should see how terribly hard it is for me to even change the sheets on my huge kingsize waterbed. The job placement lady got kind of miffed at me today cause I asked her what medical records she had looked at as my lawyer suggested I do. Well the one from my last TREATING DOCTOR not the pill pusher had lots of detailed restrictions for use of my arms. She didn't like that and she is going to go by the lifting 10 lbs and pushing or pulling 25 lbs. and she accepted pacing of hands and arms from the other doctor's restrictions. What in the hell am I supposed to do.?
The judge withheld a ruling on TTD or PPD until this is done.
People just don't realize how this crap is, all the pain, the weakness, tiredness, and most of all depression.
I so much would like to be done with this. It's been over 4 years and you all know I have had every fricking surgery in the book.
I told my lawyer I wasn't doing it (the job placement) and it took him an hour and a half to convince me to go meet with her and bring up the restrictions from the surgeon, which she most likely didn't have access to. It didn't matter.

I too had to suffer going back with poor restrictions. I had a job but they tried to modify it so that I was no lifting over 10lbs and no overhead arm use....so it was hell. As a nurse I had to do all of those things. I ended up trying and failing it.

My best advice is to try to do what they say and show your pain OUT LOUD!!!! DON't hide it show them if it happens. If you are in pain you need to stop!!! You will do more damage...if you fail then will it not be going back to your doctor and DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT!!!!

Keep a journal every day of what you can do and can't and what causes the pain or Numbness, tingling...or any symptoms. I too can't vacuum and they tried to send me back again and my doctor told me due to my meds....narcotics and my physical restrictions I was incapable of work....compensation still thinks I can work so it is an ongoing battle. I suspect this is going to be your case as well.

I hope that something works out for you. If you have pain at work or even looking for work, get to your doc immediately and get the issues documented. The law can't argue with medical documents if there are many. So if you wake up and end up with a huge headache or can't go to work get a doc apt or if you need to go to emergency go so there are documents.

I hope things work out for you! Best of luck...always remember that you are first and you need to do what is right for you within the rules, but right as in no work if it hurts. Give all pertinent info to the person helping you find the job....all you can do is try .....fail....then get back to court or whatever you need to do!!!

love and hugs,
Victoria

I wondered too if you can get a copy of that drs report - and show it yourself to the placement person??

as Vic says you almost have to try what they say - but if any pain increase or delayed pain - follow that up and report it.

...and if it hurts you the next day, show up on their doorstep the next day and show them what they've done to you. Remind them that THEY did this to you!

prayers for you to have this decision reversed!
Anne

Thank you...Jo, I did show her the doctor's report. That's what got her upset with me to begin with. Thanks to all of you for the suggestions. I am going to try and keep an open mind about this. What's the worst thing that could happen? Outside of rib-resection to the right side, it would be if I actually became gainfully employed again. That doesn't sound too bad.