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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Thoracic Outlet Syndrome/Brachial Plexopathy. In Memory Of DeAnne Marie. |
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11-08-2007, 06:48 PM | #1 | ||
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This may be a touchy subject I know, but I am jsut curious as to what people have done careerwise after surgery? Now don't get me wrong, I am in no rush to go back to work but sooner or later, I know I have to do something.
My pre-surgery career was a 9-5 desk job using a PC and talking on the phone all day. A TOSers worst nightmare! If you could pick any career you could that would suit your condition what would it be? My (personal) checklist for this career would include: - no repition - flexible - even split between standing and sitting - limited lifting, pushing, pulling - limited PC use Doesn't leave a lot does it?! Just curious as to what others have come up with/done/have thought about. |
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11-08-2007, 07:09 PM | #2 | ||
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In Remembrance
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Most of the time I am bedridden with pain, fighting the pain, trying to either get some aerobic (soft) exercise for my body, but fighting the TOS inflammation and pain that follows...hoping the RSD stays in remission...dealing with fibro symptoms...trying to get down and off of the heavy meds...how to get to "x" doctor, with the pain at this level, trying to maintain a relationship with my kids, dogs, etc., with this pain and disability level and not giving up on life.
Part of my progress was accepting the loss of my career as an atty. and pro tem judge, as well as my goals that I had set for these years, financially and academically. So for me, the bar is now set at a totally different goal - dealing with the pain for this hour. I think the key is finding where you're at, (your bar set), and then reaching that goal, setting a new one, etc. Hopefully your bar is a lot higher than mine right now, but acceptance I think is key to overcoming frustration and depression. |
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11-09-2007, 02:40 AM | #3 | |||
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Tam... I knwo your pain is hell-pain now, but...... is there a volunteer agency or charity of some sort around where you could work whatever hours you were able to, and use your legal expertise? just a quick (and probably inchoerent) thought.
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To do what ought to be done, but would not have been done unless I did it, I thought to be my duty. -Robert Morrison, Phi Delta Theta Founder Currently redefining 8,9,10 ...... . Last edited by dabbo; 11-09-2007 at 02:40 AM. Reason: i'm tired and cant tpe |
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11-09-2007, 08:19 AM | #4 | |||
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I had surgery two years ago, but I know I canl never have the same type of job I had before.
No more sitting at a desk and typing all day. Being involved in tons of paper work. I will never be able to do that again. Causes flarre ups. On the other hand, put me in a busy enviroment were I am moving around and stayng busy.....I seem fine.
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11-09-2007, 04:31 PM | #5 | ||
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I can't think of many options myself. Except maybe a career/job where I can sit at home in my recliner while using a headset for phone work. Voice activated computer work I think would be too much for me. So all I can think of is some kind of order taker (yuck), tech support or other phone advisor (need to learn the trade), or as a friend's brother once jokingly suggested-a sex counselor (hee, hee, --I'd have to be trained to learn the appropriate responses and such) but I recently saw a TV documentary with Linda Love and she's got the industry locked-up; she said the "counselors" used to earn a lot but now are lucky if they make minimum wage. For those of you who know a 2nd language, apparantly there is a lot of work for counselors in foreign countries. You work from home and the 900 calls come to you from various countries so no travel benefits.
I make light of this sbuject but it is something I have a tremendous amount of grief over--the ability to have a meaningful career and the ability to be self sufficient financially. btw-the rsi support groups have published lists of ideas. If I come across mine I will post. And Voc Rehab counselors have lists too. Some ideas that come to mind are voice-over talent (unless U develop rsi of the voice/throat as many do). An optometrist store assistant--the person who recommends glasses and sells and fits them. Also selling tickets or subscriptions to anything; it could be something kinda meaningful like soliciting memberships to the Sierra Club or the Symphony. One may make a few bucks if there are commissions or bonuses but these jobs don't pay a prof. wage that would allow us to have treatments like massage or chiro. Another is working at a store that sells ergonomic products to people w/bad backs, necks, etc. It would be fun to do ergonomic evals but I think that is too much a stretch for my physcial abilities. One person I came across returned to school to become a psychologist, realizing that she needed a career where she could sit and talk. But I think it would be tough to get through the schooling and also to fill out forms , etc. nec. for insurance cos. Maybe we can start a list of ideas that someone in the forum could pull together. Last edited by fern; 11-10-2007 at 12:32 AM. |
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11-09-2007, 05:09 PM | #6 | ||
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JAMY,
I'm responding because I think I can relate to your question. I had TOS surgery - rib resection in 8/05. Since that surgery I have developed RSD in my surgery side and is now moving to my other arm. It's funny. When I read your post, I was thinking the exact opposite. I am forced to work FT or I will lose my house. So, if I had the option of being at home, I could focus more on taking care of myself instead of taking care of everyone else. My husband is wonderful - involved - and supportive. So, he makes me stop doing things at home if he feels it's too much. I was on the floor picking up dog toy stuffing and he told me to get up off the floor. I am blessed in that regard. My job is FT - I'm an assistant to two Directors at a major company. I am at the computer (I can still type about 60 wpm - down from 90), but I have the option of standing/sitting with the touch of a button. I have a restriction from my doctor to not push, pull, carry more than 5 lbs. My job does not keep me chained to my desk. I can walk/deep breath twice daily to try to keep the pain down. I park in the handicaped parking that my company provides so I'm not out in the cold for long. I try not to do anything repetitious. No amount of lifting my arms up either. I am on the strongest medications that I can handle while working. But, to be honest, I'm limited. Because I can't be at home, there were many medications I couldn't take. I cannot wear a shirt on my surgery arm without a lidocaine patch. The sensitivity is horrible. When I come home, I don't do much. I haven't made dinner in months (except something very easy), I don't do housework either. Very, very little. At this point, I can't do anything else. I went for a walk last weekend - about 6 blocks and that put me down for 2 days because of the pain. It's very hard for me to do anything at all on the weekends. I try to help my husband with the shopping, but most times it's too much. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if that's all you do is work, atleast for me, that's about all I can do. It's very much a give and take. |
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