A.S.A.P.
Posted By Russ Emerson on October 31, 2007 at 1:31 pm
When one’s doctor turns out, as mine has, to be a world-renowned specialist, the concept of “as soon as humanly possible” doesn’t necessarily mean “soon.”
In this case, we’re waiting to see if he can squeeze me into his schedule for surgery as soon as next week, but that remains iffy. There has to be some pre-surgical workup done, of course, though I don’t really know the precise nature of what needs to be done pre-op.
When I do go in for surgery, it might be as quick as just an overnight stay. The surgery itself, I’m told, is pretty simple, as such things go. Thirty minutes to an hour, I hear. One day of recovery time in the hospital, and then home.
When the prospect of a shunt was first raised, one of the questions I asked was, how much downtime will be required afterwards? In short, how soon can I go back to work? The first answer rocked me back on my metaphorical heels — six to eight weeks. Holy smokes.
I explained that not only do I work from home, but that my work consists mainly of looking at computer monitors and typing, with only the occasional phone call. Armed with this knowledge, the docs told me that I can estimate a week or two of downtime at home. I could, in theory, be walking by Thanksgiving.
That presupposes that I can actually get onto the surgery calendar sometime soon. Maybe they can wedge me in next week. I surely hope so; this has gone on long enough.
Bah! I had abdominal surgery and the doc said 4-6 weeks. I could have easily gone back to work in 4-7 days. What is the difference in sitting in front of the computer, drinking tea and surfing the internet and in sitting in front of the computer, drinking tea and 3D modeling? I called for an appointment for a release to work (company policy) after 3 weeks (going crazy). The doc’s admin fought me but I got an appointment at 3.5 weeks and was released to return to work. I could see this if one had a physically demanding job but computer work is hardly that.
The most physical part of the job is plotter maintenance. I have to lift a 25-30 lb roll of paper. All the men in the office were more than happy to take care of this task for me (yes, I played the blonde card).
They’re gonna shunt you? I thought you had to offend the Amish to get shunted.