New Here :-) Confused about all this...shoulder injury

[NVworker]

Thanks again for your replies :-) Sound like I'll be having a heart to heart with the ortho Thurs. It is a bit discouraging hearing the ongoing problems so many of you seem to have even after your surgery.

Bernie, the IC transferred my case to the ortho so I believe he is my PCP. All so darn confusing LOL.

I hear what all of you are saying and I will be careful. I just keep thinking, if I can just work a couple more months at full pay I might make it when I start getting TTD. I have a great job and due to being over the max allowed in NV, I won't receive 66 2/3% of my pay. I realize I am not the only one in this position here, so please don't think I'm complaining. I'm actually very thankful that I will get anything while I recover.

I guess you're right, jobs do come and go. I've read a lot of posts where event the best employees are let go after WC, I have a feeling I will be one of them, perfect time for them to put someone in my position at half the pay. Guess that's how the cookie crumbles!

Thanks again and I'll keep you posted on what the doc says. Hope everyone finds some relief Enjoy your weekend!

[capricorn]

NV...first I have to say when I opened this your Avatar caught my eye quickly and I jumped.......frightening little guy Sad that we all gave you the bad side but I don't know anyone here who had a good side to a shoulder mess.....I know people personally....... My work was given to 4 people......2 men and 2 women ...who already worked there....nice that they didn't think the physical end was too much for a woman my age....whatever...I'm happy I retired....loved my job....but as the Gambler says "You gotta know when to fold" Best of luck to you......don't push it...

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

NV, as your seeing a painted picture from others, and yes, all true stuff. You must always remember these things are never ever the same as it will be to the next person. Saying that, I always say you just never know what will be around the conner, or coming around the cornner. Myself, I like to say things that can prepair a person for the what IF's that might come in play, so the person isn't so stressed out when it does happen, or better yet, they fell much better when it doesn't happen.

Numbers; Now is the time to remember what are you to your employer? Does HR really know your name, or do they only know you by your employee number? Yep, that is what I will get at now. You are a number to the employer, you more of a number now to Work Comp. They only know you by your claim number. Yep that's it. Social Security, only knows people by their SS number. Your Healh Insurance only knows you by your Policy number, Group Number, then Members number. So, yes we all are replaceable, the only thing that will ever change is the Number.

I recently was reading on an Ortho Site about Shoulder surgeries. The study had showed, recovery and benefit was lower in Women, and then stated men recover better after the shoulder surgeries much better. Now, this is only a medical study performed, and yes, the results can and will change for each person that goes through the process. If you stay Positive, force yourself to think you will overcome this all, let any hate and anger go free, your going to heal much better then the last person the surgeon performed surgery on. Yes, you will see the surgeon very impressed of your outcome. Even return to work is quicker.

[Bummer Knees]

My sister an injured worler had a bilateral shoulder injury & surgery.

She worked in the aircraft manufacturing plants working with her arms above her head all day, a job she was unable to return to after the injury & surgery.

My sister now owns a office & window cleaning business. She cleans small, & large business. Some of the companys she cleans are large corporations that pay well.

Owning her own company she is able to stay within her medical restrictions, her employees do the physical work she is unable to do.

[NVworker]

OK, had my appt. with the surgeon today and I now have work restrictions stating, "no lifting, pushing or pulling with right arm"He also gave me Ambien to help since I'm usually up until 4am due to the pain. Lastly, he wants to move the surgery up, said that because of the additional pain in my elbow, upper back and neck we need to get this done as soon as possible. I'm still looking at mid april but that's better than May I suppose.

I also retained an attorney. I originally thought that my commission as well as my base pay was used in the calculation for TTD, so I figured I'd get the max allowed in NV. My employer told me that I was incorrect and that my average monthly wage was only based on my hourly rate. My commission is almost as much as my base salary per year. Come to find out they do have to pay me based on my commission + bonuses, as well as my base rate. Sneaky little A$$h*&"% they are! Did they really think I would not look into something this important? Feel better knowing the attorney will make sure it is calculated correctly, just feel a bit guilty for hiring one. I'm usually the type to sit back and go with the flow, I'm not confrontational at all and can sometimes have a hard time speaking up for myself. Guess it's time to get over that and fast

I do have a couple more questions...

1. will my employer know that I have retained an attorney?

2. will it (having retained an attorney) hurt me in the long run as far as returning to the same employer?

3. In preparing for surgery, I am preparing meals in advance, making sure I have easy on/off clothes and after reading many of your posts I bought a recliner. Is there anything I'm missing that may help make things easier after surgery?

Thanks for all your help

[Bummer Knees]

NWworker I recently had surgery for carpal tunnel, I still have an entrapment of the ulnar nerve at the elbow that needs addressed. I also have the same restrictions as you do.

You are doing exactly what you need to do in preparing for this surgery. I just thought I would add a couple of more things; I have trouble squeezing a bottle of shampoo, so before surgery I went to the store and purchased 3 pump bottles, one for shampoo, conditioner, and liquid soap. The liquid soap works much better with an injury of the upper extremity. I also made sure the bathroom was setup so it would be user friendly after surgery.

Your attorney will contact your employer and insurance company that he has been retained as your attorney. My employer had problems with this as they just did not understand why I would hire an attorney, attitidues of the workplaced changed after I hired the attorney. Can't really say if this will cause any return to work issues with you hiring an attorney.

I did not have an attorney for the first 10 months after my injury, it was a big mistake on my part. After medical treatment was denied and my employer refused to work me, then did I hire an attorney.

[Bernie57]

That was a smart idea about preparing for after surgery. I didn't and it made a big difference. Should have known better. Not everyone, but myself, I needed to wear a cloth sling for a week or two after surgery, lucky for me my mom had one. Also make sure that you have a heating pad in very good condition, If its at the bottom of a drawer, you may want to purchase a new one. I purchased 2 of the neck pillows that gave out heat and vibration.
I billed my WC but they never paid on it. My biggest problem while healing was an electric can opener. It was a hate hate relationship.
Went to Dollar General and bought one that opened the can on its own. About $7.00 NYS. Is anybody going to be with you when you get home? I'll keep my fingers crossed. Bernie

[NVworker]

Thanks Bummer and Bernie!

Great idea on the shampoo bottles. Hadn't thought of that one :-) Need to get the can opener too. I'm good on the heating pad and a friend just went through knee replacement and has one of those automatic ice machines that are used after surgeries. I had mentioned that I was looking into buying one but they are very expensive, she told me she had one and I could borrow it. I am SOOO excited, since ice has become my best friend. How sad is that! I use to get excited over a new pair of shoes LOL. Thanks again and I hope you are all doing better.