Back to work - finally!

[Josephine]

I worked yesterday for the first time since the new knee! I did two days, 9.30-4pm. Had no trouble at all with the right knee but heaps with the left! Was stiff and painful! Yikes - I need this seen to. Still I see the boss on the 11th which isn't too far away.

The job consisted of a short medical, BP check and a lung function test. Most of it was a sitting down job, just getting up to measure their height which made me ooh and ouch a bit! And I was on the first floor with an unbelievably steep flight of stairs so going down to use the photocopier and stuff was not fun! Happily they did have a single hand rail which I hung onto like grim death both up and down!

So first one done, hope for some more work soon!

 

[Judles]

Oh Jo! Glad you're now good knee is holding up so well! As you told us.....pace yourself! I know in your profession, it certainly is not easy! Just concerned bout you, darlin! Glad your appointment is coming up! As soon as you get your other knee. Take it easy!

 

[Josephine]

Well, I'm hoping - as is himself! - that it doesn't actually need a replacement! Probably whistling in the wind, tho but ....

 

[Texas]

Aw Jo just need to get that other knee under control..Your right hang on the that rail....I hope he will work something out with the other knee. Your first one sounds like it did great.....Just like you would tell us be careful, when you get home rest.....I'm glad your back out there you sound very happy...except for the other knee ..We do worry about you, like you do us.....I think we are all family here....If he wont/doesnt replace it. What are the other options?

 

[Clunker]

Well, I'm hoping - as is himself! - that it doesn't actually need a replacement! Probably whistling in the wind, tho but ....

Jo I will :whis: with you !
I am always here to help you Jo,,you know that.

 

[Steph]

Well done Jo, it is always a shock to the system going back to work after a weeks holiday, let alone after having this sort of surgery. I should think you are quite chuffed at getting through the first couple of days - it is tiring though so get lots of rest and pamper yourself.

 

[skigirl]

Gosh Jo, I hope you don't need a replacement in the other leg either. I just could not do it right now--if ever.

Maybe you should send the nurses'a aid down the stairs for you!! I am still so grouchy when I am tired--which is most of the time that I would be Nurse Cratchet---sometimes I think about how nice it would be to just sit and rest.j

then I try it and after five minutes, I have had enough!! Somehow in the winter, I am always nice to the clients---I think the summer is my time to recover from being nice.j

Hope you are not completely knacked (as my Gram would say) this evening. Kelly

 

[Clunker]

Gosh Jo, I hope you don't need a replacement in the other leg either. I just could not do it right now--if ever.

Maybe you should send the nurses'a aid down the stairs for you!! I am still so grouchy when I am tired--which is most of the time that I would be Nurse Cratchet---sometimes I think about how nice it would be to just sit and rest.j

then I try it and after five minutes, I have had enough!! Somehow in the winter, I am always nice to the clients---I think the summer is my time to recover from being nice.j

Hope you are not completely knacked (as my Gram would say) this evening. Kelly

Hi Kelly,
Recover from being nice,,,,lol,,now that did make me laugh!

 

[Dawnie]

WTG Jo, you are an inspiration to us all. :wub:

 

[Surfsister]

Jo! You're going about this all wrong. You should have told the patients that your office requires that they make their own photocopies. Then you could have sent them downstairs to do it for you!!! Think, woman, think!!!!

Just kidding! If I had a job to go to, I'd do it. Alas, the economy, especially here in California, has ensured that most of us who are unemployed won't be finding work any time soon.

Take it easy and don't overdo on the good/now bad knee. Congratulations on going back to work!

 

[BigRed]

I think it is wonderful you are back at work. Please take care.

 

[brs0660]

Okay.. you made it through the first week. How is your Left knee.

I was thinking about the copier problem...wonder if you could get them to get you a cheap <$100 Three In One printer. You could copy right there...tell them it would be more efficient and you could be more productive! Good buzz words...efficiency and proctivity!

Hope you are resting some today!
Barb

 

[Josephine]

Ah if only! But it doesn't work like that. The kind of jobs I get are one offs. I don't actually work for that firm but for an agency that specialises in occy health stuff. The firms are often dirty places like garages and workshops or factories where health surveillance is essential. They rarely have any nice office or room for the nurse so we have to make do with what's available.

On one occasion I was in a put in a dusty store room which had a small 4' by 4' picnic table as a desk. Bearing in mind I have enough equipment to easily fill up a large desk, it was a problem. I managed by dragging packing boxes over and putting the equipment on there. Plus there was no electrical socket so I had to run an extension about 20 feet down the corridor! I was constantly concerned about the health and safety hazard it posed as the foot traffic was not small.

I've worked in some really yukky places - worst was a recycling depot which stunk to high heaven! Everywhere was grimy and :euw: and the toilets, well, let's not go there! Another all male place so ladies room and I just had to cross my legs till I got home! They put me in the manager's office but it was in keeping everywhere else, so I spent about 20 mins cleaning the desk top and surrounding area of unimaginable yuk! I always take a spray cleaner and roll of kitchen paper with me, plus a pack of moisties because there's never anywhere to wash my hands. When you have to deal with sweaty, grubby men and get up close to examine inside their ears, you don't particularly want to then eat your sandwiches without washing hands!

Get the picture? I'm only there for the day so I have to put up with it. They don't really care if I have to negotiate stairs to use a photocopier, or if I have decent toilet facilities. Or any toilet facilities! One place I went to had those awful Portaloos which are always minging and no running water to wash hands either! All male site, of course, so it was suggest I drive 2 miles down the road to use MacDonald's facilities!

But - it's rewarding work. How many times have I met chaps with dreadful hips and knees whose doctors have told them it's 'just a bit of wear and tear' yet they can hardly walk. Or people with sky high blood pressure, undiagnosed asthma and a host of other ailments. Oh yes, it's very rewarding.

 

[brs0660]

You my dear are an awesome woman to put up with those kind of conditions....thank you for what you put up with!

I work in a very large lab (about 200 folks during the day 500 at night and another 300 folks in draw stations in this area). About 10am yesterday, they announced that the toilets were closed for use!!! One of our docs came
around and supplied us with 24 hour urine jugs (only in his humor)...I thanked him...his reply..."Oh my,,,Now I am flushing! "

Have a great day...hope it includes rest

 

[loggon]

Jo had no idea that was what you did for a day a week. Bless your heart. Those conditions are horrible. I don't think the health dept. would let you work like that. They would make them have a clean nice place for you.

Anyway bless you.

 

[Josephine]

Well, it's like they say - it's a dreadful job but someone's got to do it! Despite the privations, I love it! Not quite as good as working in the OR but every bit as satisfying.

 

[Motherofmany]

Bless you Jo for being so gracious in difficult situations. The Lord knows and sees all that you are doing to share His love with others...even us here on bonesmart. Thank you for serving Him faithfully and joyfully especially in light of all your pain. You will be greatly rewarded.

 

[cindy88fan]

Glad to hear you are back to work. Remember what you tell all of us...don't over do it! Take it easy and enjoy!

With Love,
Cindy

 

[Texas]

Aw Jo that really is Sweet because your right . There are so many people suffering and with all your knowledge. And to help any of those people must be satisfying....You are a trooper thats for sure.Wish there were more nurses like you....Take care of yourself....

 

[Judles]

THAT'S another example of your generous heart and spirit, Jo!!!:thmb:
:lvhrt: