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Nyn · 10-08-2007, 10:53 AM

Thank you all for your responses. To answer a few questions, the doctor did originally give me a note to be out for 4 weeks, but with my job situation, I just didn't feel comfortable being out for so long. I suppose if I went back and just couldn't hack it, I could finish out the rest of the 4 week leave. But I really wouldn't want to do that due to my boss and her expectations and especially since that will mean I have to get disability leave to cover some of my pay. I'm still new enough at my job that I only have 2 weeks of leave using up all of my sick leave and vacation time -- doesn't help that I was just out 2 weeks in June for my appendectomy!

As for my commute, I sometimes drive 20 minutes and then take Amtrak the rest and sometimes I drive about an hour and a quarter to the nearest BART station and then take around an hour-long BART ride, so no, I don't drive the full way at all -- thank goodness!! The most I have to walk during that is a handful of blocks at the beginning and end of the trips.

As for my supplements, I take a multi-vitamin and calcium (Tums) every day, a high-dose B-12 three times a week, and iron most of the time, too. I see my surgeon for my first follow-up appointment on Thursday, so I will ask him about what or if anything needs changing in that regard.

I appreciate any support. I have a generally good support network, but in this one area it could be better. My mom supports me, but she grew up Irish Catholic in a huge family and never got any coddling herself. Her philosophy is to suck it up, be stoic, and for goodness sakes do not let your human weaknesses interfere with getting the work done! So when I was feeling very depressed about this yesterday, she just kept reminding me that it is only a 4 day week I have to work and I leave work early on Thursday to go see the surgeon. I just...that wasn't what I needed to hear. And I had to remind her that leaving work to see the surgeon did not make my day any shorter. In fact, to go to his office means I have to take an EXTRA 2 hour BART trip (hour each way) on top of my normal commute, plus about 10 extra blocks to walk. Normally, walking is no problem for me and I'd relish the extra exercise, but now, when facing such a long day, it just makes me more worried about my ability to handle everything.

I guess we never know our capacity to handle something until we are faced with it. For all I know, this will be just another thing I get done because it has to get done. We'll see after tomorrow!