HAPPY HUMP DAY ROLL CALL

It may be for those of you that work, today for me is a regular day.  How is the weather in your neck of the woods?  Hubby measured 10 inches of snow here, and today is so foggy, you can't see your hand in front of your face. What plans do you have for the day?  Weekend?  I have to go back to the chiropractor today and get popped...lol  This weekend, I have a date with hubby...vavavooooooooommmmmmmm...lol Chris, how is your brother?  Anybody heard from Renee?

Good Morning Dee and the rest of my Il friends! 

I haven't heard anything about Renee yet, I hope she's doing okay. 
The weather here is just cold, no snow got us thank goodness.  The sun is out right now, but I want the sun and WARMTH!  lol

Today I will work, do some homework and then take Tyler to his last meeting for his trip to Washington DC.  He's excited to go and I am excited for him, even though he will be gone the same 3 days I will be in the hospital for surgery!  lol

I hope everyone has a safe and warm day!!

Well I am in the St. Louis area and we got hit pretty hard.  Work let us go yesterday at 3pm and it took me 3 1/2 hours just to get 2 miles to highway 70, then it took another 1/2 hour to get to 270 which is maybe 1/4 mile.   So much for an early release. I am facing another problem.  I got my approval for surgery on the 3rd and got my surgery date (March 25) on the 4th.  I put in for a medical leave from work and it got denied!!  They said I have exhausted my FMLA for a 12 month period ( I had a bad pregnancy and was out for almost 7 months), but they said I would be eligible for medical leave possibly however there is no job protection.  I dont know what to do I NEED this surgery, I finally got everything in order after 4 years of trying.  This is also going to cause an unforeseen financial hardship, my husband isn't working right now because he's been raising our son until we feel comfortable to put him in daycare and if I have to be out of work for 3 weeks, I only get short term disability for 2 of those and its only 60% of my normal pay, plus its taxed and my benefits are taken out... Has anyone went back to work after surgery sooner than 2 weeks?  I have a sit down desk job so its not all that physically challenging.  I don't want to be put in the position of choosing between my life/health and my job, because its one I personally won't win either way. Sorry about the rant, I'm just clueless as far as what to do...Hope everyone elses day is going better and PLEASE be safe out there, the roads still aren't that great at least in my neck of the woods.

Dear Jackie: I am soooo sorry to hear that you are in this difficult position. I work at a desk job and I went back to work 10 days after my surgery.  My surgery was on a Friday though.  The first few days back, I went home early due to the fact that I was tired and wanted a nap, but I could have made it the full days if necessary.  By the end ot the week, I was doing full days.  I was still very tired after I got home, so I usually napped then.   By my 2 week check up (which was really 17 days) I drove the 1.5 hours up there alone, went to the check up and decided to stay for thier support group that night.  I had a few hours to kill, so I went to the closest mall and walked around.  I attended the meeting and drove the 1.5 hours back home and went to work the next morning and all has been fine since. Sorry for the long story, but I guess what I am trying to say is that it is ABSOLUTELY possible to only be off for a week to 10 days.  I even heard of one person who went back within 5 days, but I think he was the exception rather than the norm.

Hi Jackie -  I was back to work in 1 1/2 weeks and I had open gastric bypass.  But, as you know, you never know about complications. Hang in there. Christina

Good Morning Dee and the rest of Illinois! I am working today and feeling MUCH better.  Bad news is that one of my co-workers is home sick and I'm pretty sure he has it now.  I did not think I was EVER going to feel normal again.  I even got up at my (used to be) usual 4 am and rode the stationary bike for 45 minutes!!!!! YAY!! After work, I am going to get right home and make a batch of Margarita Chicken for the family and actually spend some time with them. Last night, my Aunt and I went to dinner and had a nice time.  I think she is going to ba all right, it is just very hard for her. I have a friend that just broke up with her husband of almost 20 years, and she wants me to "go out" with her Friday night.  I said that I will, but what she does not understand is that I don't eat much anymore and I can't drink AT ALL.  At least not while I'm "out".  Half a glass of wine will make me tipsy and impaired to drive, so I will be her designated driver and watch her get plastered, I guess.  Funny, but "going out" does not really sound like much fun anymore.....I MUST be getting old!!!!  hahahahaha My boys have a Boy Scout thing all day Saturday, so it will just be Liv and I.  I'm sure that we can find something to keep us occupied. I am thinking of Jenn and Chris and wondering how things went with Renee. Everyone stay safe and warm and COME ON SPRING!!!!!

Good morning all,

I haven't been on here in a week, so I don't know whats going on with everyone.  I'll try to catch up today.

Jackie,  I'm sure that you will hear the same response...everyone is different and how their body reacts from the surgery is different.  That being said, I think that it is possible to go back earlier.  For me personally, I was just exhausted.  Yes, I could have pushed thru it if I had to.  When are you eligible for fmla again? I am home today sick.  For some reason, I am going thru a phase where I just cannot eat meat.  This of course hasn't deterred me.  I decided to eat left over pork chops this morning and have been sick ever since.  It usually comes right up and I feel better, but not this time.  I'm just a little run down.  I have been battleing a bladder infection, but for some reason I'm also runnng a fever with it.  I just pray its not that nasty flu coming for me! Dawn, I know what you mean about drinking.  I was never much of a drinker to begin with.  Friday night, I went out with coworkers after work.  I ordered a strawberry margarita, and boy was it good.  I only waited 15 minutes to eat instead of the usual 30.  1 bite and I was sick.  I begged the server for the bill, so I could leave, thinking all I needed was fresh air.  The bill didn't come fast enough and all the way to the restroom, I nearly lost it several times.  I didn't get a buzz, like I thought from drinking, but it clearly doesn't agree with me.  So no more for me All in all it has been a pretty good week.  I lost 9 pounds this past week.  I am down to a size 22 now.  DH and I worked some things out and things are going good.  This weekend we are going to a wedding in Plainfield.  Its aprox. 75 miles away, so we are getting a hotel.  Nicole will be spending the night at her cousins.  It should be a nice evening catching up with friends that we haven't seen for a while and maybe I'll be able to dance some. Have a great day everyone, ~Michelle

Yes, it is Wednesday....I hope the weekend hurries up and gets here.  No SNOW in Waukegan, thank goodness.  I am still tempted to go to PA and make me some ground hog stew!!  When will spring get here?  I want warmer weather. Well all, yesterday I submitted the paperwork to add my third (3rd) major at school.  So no graduation party this year, it will have to wait until the first quarter of 2010.  But, I think I will start paying off the student loans this year.  I am now leaning towards eventually sitting for the CPA exam, and going for my Masters Degree. I guess I better get back to work, I have an account the needs reconciling and it is driving me nuts. Dee, have a good time on your date with hubby, and do not do anything I wouldn't do Monica, sounds like Tyler will have a blast in D.C.  I believe he is going about the time for the cherry blossoms. Jackie, Things will work out.  It may take some creative thinking.  I was back to work 10 days following surgery, but I too work a desk job. Dawn, I am so gladd to hear that you are feeling better.  I am not th party type any more either.  I quit drink several years ago, and smoking right before surgery, and I don't eat much any more either so I would rather stay home and watch a movie. Michelle, I was just thinking about you this morning as I drove past your work place.  Way to go on the size 22's that is wonderful.  I am glad to hear that you and your hubby worked some things out.  Regarding meat, I can not eat left overs anymore either.  My pouch gets a little grouchy.  stick with chicken, turkey, and fish as they maybe easier to digest.

I have not had much of a chance but to lurk lately. I spent my after work time and early evening at the hospital and then home to update the rest of my siblings via the phone. It is not good. We have tiny steps forward and then large steps back. Yesterday at about 515pm they did another in room bronc. and got up junk plus he is now on a bi-pap to keep the oxygen levels up. Later this morning or early afternoon he is being taken back into surgery for a tracheotomy, resew his sternum back together because he popped the wire sutures and then do an exploritory on his belly because they think he has a blocked bowel. When it rains it pours. Dave is occupying himself with cooking meals for the family as I write this. He has not heard about the job yet but he did hear that he was going to be made an offer. Prayers all the way around for Jim and Dave are welcome. Chris

Sorry Christine to hear your brother isn't doing much better. I will keep praying for him, you and his family. I will also say a prayer for Dave to get that job.