Any teachers?

[ADMoul]

Are any of you that have been (or are going) through this teachers and if so, how long were you off work? I still have a 5 week wait until my first app't. and there are a million things going through my mind. As a music teacher, the holiday season is crazy with performances and was hoping to be able to suck it up, take vicodin and plan surgery after C-mas. However, other people have said to me (esp. those who know how much pain I'm dealing with), take the first date they can give you. I'm an intinerant teacher who travels to different bldgs. lugs instruments around, constantly setting up/tearing down chairs, etc. so it's not like I'm in a single classroom all day long. Just wondered how long it took until you felt like you could be at school again? Would I need to miss an entire semester?? Fortunately, I have a lot of sick days, so that's not an issue. Just thinking about planning my life in the next few months...
Anne

[kt2009]

I am actually a reading specialist and I had a lot of guilt that I did his at the beginning of the school year. But I was finishing my grad work until the end of July and then my parents had a fiftieth anniversary celebration in mid August. But I didn't want to wait until the next summer. I told my principal 4-6 weeks. Now I'm waiting to see exactly how that will work. Just make sure you check your FMLA and short term disability benefits.

[Susie*Bee]

Anne-- so much of it depends on how old you are and the length of your fusion and any other procedures that may be done too. I was older (56) when I had my surgery and thought I'd be able to return after summer, but there was no way... I actually ended up taking the whole next year off and was glad I did. You can see in my signature the extent of my surgery. I consider my job at an elementary school as being a pretty high energy/active job, being in charge of the library and teaching K-5 -- 21 classes weekly, each for 45 minutes, plus I have lunch and recess duties. Returning to my position was an all or nothing situation and I had a rough enough time after taking the year off! Again, it depends on how you are doing. Talk to your surgeon about it, but make sure he/she understands what your job is like. Mine had originally thought 3 months would be sufficient, but he was really thinking of it as more like a desk job... Best wishes!

[AustinPaula]

I am not a teacher, but I naively told my work I would be off 6 weeks also. I am at 3 months and not nearly ready to be able to work. I am 59 years old though and had a pretty long fusion so that has to be accounted for. Just be very careful what you sign up for. It is easier to come back earlier than you expect than to be stressed over taking longer than you expect.

[Doodles]

I retired June 08 after 34 1/2 years of teaching English--mostly middle school. Then I got the surgery. My first many months were getting myself ready and now I seem to do nothing but exercise and lie flat for a couple hours in the afternoon. I had a lot done and am older than you but I wouldn't have been able to go back for a long time. I'm just past 5 months now. I may do some very selective subbing but I told them not even to try calling until Nov. One thing I worry about the most is the hyper kids and trying to navigate the crowded hallways without getting knocked down etc. It is really hard to say since everyone is so different but lugging instruments etc. could be quite difficult and not sure how soon you could lift that much weight. Be sure to check that part out. Good luck. Janet

[jrnyc]

i was a special ed teacher in manhattan, & worked with the kids bellevue didnt want! then became a social worker, working with the same kids...in a building 5 stories high, no elevator, & 100 years old! i retired early due to pain (no surgery)...i think it is way too grueling to teach in pain...with or without surgery...& itinerant would be worse! also, carrying things is ridiculous..i have herniated discs & can barely lift a 9 pound dog! i think with surgery & rods, it would be even more dangerous...you wouldnt want to ruin something that you & the doctors worked so hard to fix!

you know, if need be, people qualify for disability after being out 6 months...sometimes it is necessary even temporarily!!

best of luck
jess

[debbei]

I'm not a teacher, but went back to my physically undemanding job at about 8 months. I felt that I was 'ready' to go back definitely by 6 months post op. Even when I did go back, it took me a few months to get used to being back. I'd come home and take naps every day for well over a month.

Before I went back to work,, and was feeling pretty good, I did quite a lot around the house, but the difference was, I'd be able to take short naps, or even just lay down for 30 minutes to rest my back. That's what I really missed once I started work.

I'm not sure how old you are, but the thought of 4-6 weeks--for me would have been impossible. I feel that at that point I was in very early recovery.

[always smilin']

I am an elementary teacher. I had my surgery at the end of April so that I could start the next school year. Unfortunately, I am 4 months post op and NOT ready at all to be at school...so I haven't begun yet! I do not have the pain or pain meds under control enough to be a good teacher nor do I have my brain power or stamina back. I'm not sure when I'll be back. Luckily...I have a VERY understanding principal who wants me to be fully healed when I come back. Do be careful with disability...from what I've heard...if you even set your foot in the room for an hour and decide you can't handle it you lose your disability and have to start all over.

Again, every surgery is different and each person's response different.