I’ve Had A Set Back

Glad you are making improvements! I know it's a long road to recover after surgery. You will get there! Do not under any circumstances slack in PT. I have seen it time and again, with lifelong consequences in the work comp world.

If I had slacked in my ankle PT, I wouldn't be walking today. I have metal plates screws and wires in both of them. Each time was "do not touch your foot down for any reason, for the next 6 weeks.". The type of repair they did on mine risked snapping off the calcaneus, which is where the plantar fascia attaches on the bottom of the foot, and the Achilles attaches at it's distal point. Super scary stuff.

Here I am, killing it, even with the constant weather alerts from my metal!

Time for an update. It’s been 5 weeks tomorrow since my surgery. This week the swelling is finally going down which is reducing the dull ache and pains.

My surgeon is planning to start me on physical therapy after I see him next on September 19th. I’m working on gradually extending my arm to stretch the tendon per doctor direction. . It is very tight.

Due to lack of use my right arm muscles have atrophied. Will need to rebuild the strength and range of motion. Still painful to rotate my wrist, which I need to be able to do to drive effectively.

He told me to expect 2-3 months from surgery to get released for work, so hopefully during October to early November.

I’m starting to make payments to Prime for a balance that I owe on the interest free loan that I accrued during my CDL training. I was making payroll deductions of $25 weekly to payoff $1,000. I have $475 to go.

Prime will allow me to resume my original contract to drive 12 months for them to payoff the $4,375 cost of my CDL training when I rehire with them. I had completed 4 months when my injury occurred.

Really great to hear from you, Dennis;

That's pretty generous of Prime to work with you like that, for sure. Rest up, and follow your P/T to the letter, like NaeNae said. I've got pins & plates in my right forearm from Y2K, and I rarely remember it's there.

I'm still struggling with getting to my 100% with my rotator cuff; heard these take extra long. Surgery's still not in the cards; just P/T and some Athlean X on YouTube. (Check him out; he's into therapeutical and preventative maintenance methods of exercising and lifting/training, Brett's recommendation.)

Keep us updated, good sir! Prayers from Ohio, as well....!

~ Anne & Tom ~

Thanks for the advice all.

I saw surgeon today. Will start PT on Wednesday. Three times weekly for four weeks.

See surgeon again in four weeks on Oct 17.

He told me again today that mine is one of the “tightest” tendon repairs that he has ever done. So it will likely take awhile longer than typical 3 months to get released for work. I told him let’s not rush it. Don’t want to have to start over. He agrees.

I’m being very careful to only use prescription pain pills sparingly. Maybe one pill per day when I do take it just for a brief break to get some rest. Ibuprofen and a cold pack most of the time.

That's a great update. Healing up completely at your own pace before you return is the way to go.

Maybe I’ll get back out in November for the winter driving season. Going out with a trainer to refresh for 2-3 weeks would be ok. I’ve heard that Prime does this.

It has been two months since I’ve driven, so by time I rehire will be maybe four months. I had four months driving experience when my injury occurred.

I spent time today reading my last training diary about first month solo. I’m glad now that I put in the effort to write detailed daily TT diaries plus my written journal. It is starting to feel like a long time ago. Reading about it refreshes the memories.

I spotted today a couple ways that I could have improved my performance. I’ll be aware of this now when I get back OTR.

Maybe I’ll get back out in November for the winter driving season. Going out with a trainer to refresh for 2-3 weeks would be ok. I’ve heard that Prime does this.

It has been two months since I’ve driven, so by time I rehire will be maybe four months. I had four months driving experience when my injury occurred.

I spent time today reading my last training diary about first month solo. I’m glad now that I put in the effort to write detailed daily TT diaries plus my written journal. It is starting to feel like a long time ago. Reading about it refreshes the memories.

I spotted today a couple ways that I could have improved my performance. I’ll be aware of this now when I get back OTR.

Great to hear, Dennis! All the way around. Going out with a trainer for a quick refresher, since you were so 'fresh' yourself, would be awesome. I'd choose that route, as well.

Try to see what Kearsey's schedule is like; I'm seriously not joking!!! That would be quite the grand finale' of your return to duty, post follow up refresher !!!

It IS indeed fun (and informative) to go back over one's written script, and critique .. and learn. It's fun when you actually smile at yourself, too!!! Step back/around, and read some of the 'other' Primates' diaries now; you'd probably get a good chuckle!!

Dennis, P/T is all of which you make it. I'm the poster child. I'm not 100% yet with my R/C, but the strides I HAVE made, wouldn't be possible without.

Keep on keeping on; great to see ya around, mi mano!!

Consider my words, above ~

~ Anne ~

Time for an update.

My PT has been going well. Regaining range of motion, but still a little discomfort if I over do it. Need to start working on rebuilding strength over next 3 weeks with Physical Therapist. Also working at it on my own.

I saw my Orthopedic Surgeon today. He issued order for 4 additional PT sessions beyond the two remaining sessions that I have this week.

I see him again on November 14th, when he expects to release me medically to resume normal activity and return to work.

Then I can apply to Prime for rehire.

Awesome news!

Time for an update.

My PT has been going well. Regaining range of motion, but still a little discomfort if I over do it. Need to start working on rebuilding strength over next 3 weeks with Physical Therapist. Also working at it on my own.

I saw my Orthopedic Surgeon today. He issued order for 4 additional PT sessions beyond the two remaining sessions that I have this week.

I see him again on November 14th, when he expects to release me medically to resume normal activity and return to work.

Then I can apply to Prime for rehire.

Good news is that I received my medical release to return to work without restrictions today.

Submitted my application to Prime to rehire. Started the pre-screening activity already targeting to attend Orientation in Springfield starting Nov 28th.

That's great news to read, Dennis.