College Students??

[amae28]

I was just wanting to see how many others on here are in college... I am a junior in my undergraduate and am having surgery this coming June 30th. Is there anyone out there that has had a similar experience where you go back to school in the fall? I will only be 7 weeks post op at that point, and am planning on being a full time (barely, 13 hours) student so that I can continue on my course to graduate on time. I don't think I will have any long 5 hour labs like I do now, but am I going to be miserable sitting through classes? I don't really think that I even have the option of being part-time because I will be dropped from my medical insurance, which would be the last thing I need... anyone else out there with this dillemma/ experience? How did you manage to deal with school and healing at the same time? Did you do physical therepy at school too? Thanks for any responses...

Abbie

[briarrose]

Is it possible to have your surgery done earlier? I'm also a junior in undergrad but I'm a bit older than you. I'm planning on having my surgery a week or so after finals are over in May. My doctor said yesterday that 3 months is usually a good estimate as to when a person is able to go back to school or work. He said he had 1 guy that went back to work at 6 weeks, but he said that was rare, but since you are younger, that would be more likely. That's good that you won't have labs. I'll have 2 4 hour labs in the fall. I hope you are able to go back!

[abhbarry]

I am a graduate student and returned after 3 months. I would see if you could have your surgery any earlier. If not, please make sure all your professors know about your situation and will make necessary adjustments to help you. I didn't do physical therapy until a few months afterwards and then did pool therapy.

Best,
Anya

[vndy]

Grad student

I'm a grad student. I had my first class since surgery last night (and my last class of grad school!), which is a 2.5 hour, once a week class. I'm about 7 weeks out, and it was REALLY hard to sit for that long, even though I brought a pillow. I ended up taking a pain killer half way through. The other thing to consider is you won't be allowed to lift more than 10lbs. I had to ask a friend to meet me a my car to carry my bag for me. I'm also back at work part time, and have not yet been cleared for PT (hopefully at my 2month appointment). You will tire easily...

My advice would be that while it is POSSIBLE to return at 6 weeks, it will be hard. You will be TIRED. I still dont have the energy to think about/work on my thesis. Will you be able to space out your classes so you can rest in between? Good luck.

[tonibunny]

Hi,

Back in 1994 I had surgery in June and went back to university full-time in mid September. Actually, I went back to uni for a couple of weeks in late August too, as I had to do my end of year exams which I had missed due to having the surgery. I didn't have any problems

Toni xx

[amae28]

Thanks for the replys

My original surgery date was scheduled for June 20th, while only about a week and a half earlier, it would have been better. Unfortunately my surgeon found out that he had a conference in Paris of all places that he needed to attend during that time so the only other date they had available was the 30th. The course timetable for the university for the fall will not be posted until april or so, so I'm not sure if I will be able to space out my classes or not. I will have a physics lab that is 3 hours once a week on top of my classes, but none of the 5 hour o-chem labs that i have been in for a year and a half now. All I can count on is that recovery is going to go well and hopefully my professors can help accomodate me. Thanks for the advice, and any more suggestions or experiences would be appreciated.

[crepehanger]

Don't we have some smart members? I am so proud of all of you in college!

[CurvySAT05]

Abbie,
I sent you a PM