How Long to Close?

[craftymissbeth]

I had my gallbladder removed unexpectedly yesterday after a 14 hour gallbladder attack (afterwards the nurse said I had a marble sized stone and my GB was really infected).

I feel pretty good as long as I don't go too long between pain pills. Last night I made it over 7 hours and I've been getting myself to the restroom and everything. I get very sleepy when I take the pain pills.

I'm closing Monday to be safe, but there's a little part of me that thinks that's not enough. I'm doing this all on my own so everything that needs to get done around the house and daycare is up to me. I do not have an assistant, sub, or husband to help me.

[SilverSabre25]

did you ask your doctor about how long you should be off work? Are you on any lifting restrictions? Is the pain medicine narcotic? Do you have any friends or family who could come in to help, even after hours to do some cooking and cleaning for you?

[hope]

You should call and ask the doctor or nurse what their suggestion is for amount of time to take off work. If you have an infection your body needs to rest to help fight it off. I know it's a financial strain to take time off but in the long run it may end up saving you money. The parents are going to just have to understand. If they had surgery they would be taking off at least a week.
If you don't have anyone around to help try to order groceries online to be delivered and use paper products to save on the cleaning time.
I'm sorry you are alone in this. I'm sure it's not easy. Please try to take some time for yourself, rest and watch some movies, read a good book.

[craftymissbeth]

The doctor hasn't been around to see me yet, but I'll be asking him. I only have two families ATM and they both said to take off as much as I need to.

I just don't want to be a big baby and at the same time I don't want to over do it.

[hope]

Can you try to make a call in to the doctors office? Usually the hospital has a line for questions after you have been discharged that you can call at any time. You are not being dramatic in any way. Take the week if you can. If you are feeling better let them know.

[BumbleBee]

When I had my gallbladder out I was cleared to go back to work after 2 weeks of recovery. If I were you I would take the week off at the very least.

[SilverSabre25]

I'm betting you should close for at least one full week; that will give you 8 days of recovery.

[Blackcat31]

Oh wow... I am sorry you had to go through that... I can only imagine how painful it was.

I'm glad to hear you are doing well.

I would close at the very minimum Monday AND Tuesday.

IME, it seems the 3rd day is always the hardest after any type of procedure.

Honestly, being a holiday week, I would seriously consider just taking the week and re-opening on Monday the 7th.

I know as providers we feel obligated to be dependable for parents but you could definitely be risking your own well being by doing too much too soon and that isn't fair to you or your DS.

If your families are being supportive and you know they have back up... take the week and rest/heal.

(((hugs))) I hope you feel better soon! :hug:

[craftymissbeth]

I'm getting ready to be discharged and he just came in to check on me. I have a 15 lb lifting restriction for two weeks to prevent a hernia. My smallest child weighs over that

I'm going to take off this week at least and then see how I feel next week.

Thank you guys!

(He said it was pretty bad and was in the beginning stages of "dying". Scary!)

[NightOwl]

Oh dear god, crafty!! I'm so glad you're Ok!! You sound just like me! Anything to keep my dc parents happy. It makes my husband so mad sometimes. I'm glad to see you're taking the week. Monday just wouldn't be enough. And I'm so glad you have understanding parents. Actually, if they were pushing you to stay open, they wouldn't be the kind of people you want anyway!

[midaycare]

Oh wow! I'm sorry and I'm glad you're okay! I would take off this week, at least. :hug:

[TickleMonster]

I had my gallbladder taken out in 2008 and I was put on an 10lb limit on lifting so be careful my were the size of golf balls and had around 10 a little smaller and had one lodged in the opening so be careful and follow the doctors orders. Glad your doing ok.