Hi All,
I haven't been online in a while, so my apologies for not answering your posts...
I'm wondering if anyone has gone through what I have in terms of returning to work.
I just hit the 7 month post-op mark and still haven't returned to work. I thought I'd be back by now and I can't even think of doing what I did! I am in sales.. I work for a custom clothing company, and my typical day is something like this- out seeing clients for 6-7 hours, walking to all appts (in NYC) and carrying bags filled with fabric swatches as well as garment bags with suits, and shopping bags with shirts and accessories. Usually if I pull a cart, the bag is about 50 lbs, and if I carry a shoulder bag it's about 30 lbs. My clients are usually within a 15 block distance from my office (I try to keep them somewhat close). After seeing clients, I'll come back to my office and sit at my desk and make calls, do paperwork, etc for about 3 hours.
I'm really concerned about returning, because I've been doing everything I'm supposed to.... walking every morning, PT three times a week and weight training. On days that I increase my weights or do "work conditioning" exercises (try to simulate carrying things like I would at work) I'm sore all day and cannot sleep at night.
For the most part, I'm functional without pain daily, but I still have days that I feel a lot of discomfort... and I'm not doing much of anything! I can't imagine so much physical work every day and being able to keep up.
My company is fine with me being out as long as I need to be. They want me to be ready to work as hard as I used to when I come back. (I don't get paid a salary, it's solely commission). I'm also nervous that I'll hurt myself and I know how important it is to protect my back for the first year.
Do you think I'll ever be able to return to that? Should I stay out of work longer in hopes that I'll feel strong enough to return? Or should I start looking for a career change?
Any feedback would be much appreciated... I'm sorry this is so long!
Thanks again,
Lesly
I haven't been online in a while, so my apologies for not answering your posts...
I'm wondering if anyone has gone through what I have in terms of returning to work.
I just hit the 7 month post-op mark and still haven't returned to work. I thought I'd be back by now and I can't even think of doing what I did! I am in sales.. I work for a custom clothing company, and my typical day is something like this- out seeing clients for 6-7 hours, walking to all appts (in NYC) and carrying bags filled with fabric swatches as well as garment bags with suits, and shopping bags with shirts and accessories. Usually if I pull a cart, the bag is about 50 lbs, and if I carry a shoulder bag it's about 30 lbs. My clients are usually within a 15 block distance from my office (I try to keep them somewhat close). After seeing clients, I'll come back to my office and sit at my desk and make calls, do paperwork, etc for about 3 hours.
I'm really concerned about returning, because I've been doing everything I'm supposed to.... walking every morning, PT three times a week and weight training. On days that I increase my weights or do "work conditioning" exercises (try to simulate carrying things like I would at work) I'm sore all day and cannot sleep at night.
For the most part, I'm functional without pain daily, but I still have days that I feel a lot of discomfort... and I'm not doing much of anything! I can't imagine so much physical work every day and being able to keep up.
My company is fine with me being out as long as I need to be. They want me to be ready to work as hard as I used to when I come back. (I don't get paid a salary, it's solely commission). I'm also nervous that I'll hurt myself and I know how important it is to protect my back for the first year.
Do you think I'll ever be able to return to that? Should I stay out of work longer in hopes that I'll feel strong enough to return? Or should I start looking for a career change?
Any feedback would be much appreciated... I'm sorry this is so long!
Thanks again,
Lesly
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