Update on me, about to have surgery

Hi All,

I am so sorry that I have not posted in a while, but I have been trying to read posts as often as I can to keep updated on you all.

The last time I posted, in the beginning of July, my husband had been injured quite badly while working at a racetrack - he had been struck by a 4 wheeler (quad), and had severely injured his knee.  He completely tore and ruptured 3 of the 4 ligaments that hold the knee together, as well as injuring his hand and elbow, as well as being covered in roadrash and bruises.

Because of my husbands age (50), the doctor was hoping that enough scar tissue would build up and fill in the space in between the 2 ends of each ligament that was torn, and that with a special custom made brace (the kind football players in the NFL wear to play after they've healed from knee injuries), that he would be able to return to work and finish out the 2 years he has left until he can retire from being a Corrections Officer.  We knew that he would probably need some work done on the ACL down the line, but it could wait for now.  He followed the doctor's orders to the T, and after 4 weeks of total immobilization, he started physical therapy and over the course of 2 1/2 months he seemed to be progressing very well, he went from no weight bearing in an immobilizer and in a wheelchair, to crutches, to partial weight bearing with a brace that allowed some movement, to the brace that he will have to wear all the time for the next 2 years, and he will have to wear it at work for the rest of his career, and we had finally made it to the point where they said he could try to bear full weight on the leg (with the brace) and might be able to return to light duty sometime in the next month. 

As soon as he started to bear full weight on the leg (with the brace on), the knee just fell apart, and very quickly the doctor realized that although some scar tissue had built up, it wasn't enough, so he will have to have total knee reconstruction on October 25th.  Thankfully, the 2 1/2 months of therapy have gotten the knee in good shape for the surgery, in fact, the doctor said that he would not have been able to do the surgery any sooner, even if the other plan had never been an option, because they could not have operated until all of the swelling had gone away, and they had restored mobility and flexibility to the knee.  But instead of returning to work sometime in November, he will not get back to work until next Spring at best.  He has exhausted all of his sick, personal, & vacation time, and now in addition to loosing the income that he made working at the racetrack, he is now on half-pay from his regular job as well.

He was my primary care-giver, and now the roles have had to change, and despite my constant 8/9 pain level, I have been doing my best to take care of him, and all the responsibility that comes with a maintaining a household, children, etc. 

As many of you know, I have an intrathecal pain pump, and it just so happens (as is our luck), it is time for it to be changed.  The battery in it lasts about 6 years, and my time is up, so I will be having that done this Thursday in the hopes that I will heal enough to take care of my husband when he has his surgery later this month (October 25th).  

I sure could use some encouragement and support, and I thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy post! 

Take Care,

Lorie

 

Hey Lorie,

I dont think i have seen any of your posts because i am still fairly new here! So nice to meet you!

I'm so sorry you have to go through all of this, but you sound like an amazingg wife even when you are going through alot too.

I hope his surgery goes well and is able to help him alot

and i hope yours does and helps lower the pain and you can get whatever you need to lower it!!


Good luck, Thinking of you.

Buttercup.

Dear Lori,

     Good Morning! *warm hugg* Goodness, it sure is nice to hear from you. It has been so long I must admit I had often wondered how you were doing.

     I am terribly sorry to hear your husband is still having so much pain. I hope he knee replacement goes without complications. It must be incredibly hard for him to walk. It would be very nice if he could get through the surgery and back on his feet in time for the Holidays. 

     I really hope you are taking time for yourself. You have such an incredibly caring nature! I am sure you are tired by now. Im trying to jog my memory  but weren't you going to have a "setting" changed in your pain pump once it was time to change batteries? (If I have confused you with someone else I am terribly sorry!) 

     I hope your procedure goes well. More so, I hope you are able to get some much needed rest. 

*warm hugg*
      dani

Hey Lorie, so nice to hear from you. I am sorry you and your family are going through some rough times right now. I will keep you guys in my thoughts and prayers and please keep us updated. Take care.

Hi Lorie

 

Yes it has been a while since you have posted! I am glad to hear from you again, and Thank-YOU  for the up-date!  Your husbands knee does not sound good at all! I do hope they can get it all repaired right this 25th and his surgery goes smoothly! Knees can be tricky  so make sure he follows his doctors post-op orders to the Tee! I really do wish him Good Luck with it!

 

Lorie, I also wish you well on your surgery tomorrow, I hope that this new pain pump works well for you and they finally get your dosage right and get your pain under control or at least at a manageable level! If I remember right you have had more than your fair share of trial and tribulations with your pain and your pump! I sure hope that things have changed for you! You will be in my prayers, and I do hope everything goes smoothly for you with your surgery tomorrow. Please keep us informed on your progress.

White Beard 

Hello bluejet2,

I'm so sorry for what you and your family are having to go through. I'm not sure where you are, but many states have programs whereby correctional officers with a certain amount of time in the system can medically retire (with a great deal of their income) if they are unable to return to regular duty. There are often provisions that do not allow this to happen if the officer is placed on contingent (or contingency) leave before submission of the proper paperwork. There is also short and long term disability available (if you purchased it through the employer....but watch out for the fine print regarding the medical retirment/contingent leave). In addition, there are programs specifcially dedicated to correctional officers in need of special financial assistance that I know are paid in many states. There may also be a peace officer association that can help you in your state.

Whatever you do....DO NOT WAIT!!! Your husband's condition does not allow him to return to full duty....period....he cannot work all posts with his knee in a brace even if he is cleared to return to work. This would require (in many states) a period of transitional employment, which will only last for so long and then he is released from duty....NO RETIREMENT....just can't do the job he was hired to do.

It all comes down to paperwork and making sure it was done on time and correctly. Your personnel or HR office should be able to help, but be careful about using the one at the facility where he works. The main HR or agency personnel office would give the most accurate information. Most is also on the web now and you can look up information on your state.

I was not a CO, but I did have a situation with my state and thank God I had my paperwork in order. Otherwise, I would be OUT with nothing and not receiving the medical retirement money we live on. I'm still waiting on social security disability to have a hearing and will hopefully get that eventually. If so, things will work out OK...if not....well.... you know how that goes.

Good luck!!!!