United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I got the OK from my PCP to go back to work part time. I will be returning on 8/20/07. My drive is 1 hour so my work hours will be 7 - 11 Monday, Tuesday & Thursday. I have therapy Weds & Fri. She doesn't want me working on those days when I start. She wants me taking my time to rebuild my stamina. I totally agree.

I sure am looking forward to getting my life back. This is a huge step toward that.

My long-term disability company is making a home visit 8/13/07. They want to review my readiness to start back to work. They also want to review my homework set up & set up a schedule for my office work review.

They are considering getting me Dragon Naturally Speaking. http://www.dragontalk.com/NATURAL.htm Does anyone have this? They said they would provide me with training on how to use this.

I am also going to start reducing my oxycondone. I am currently taking 15 mgs every 4 - 6 hours. My doctor wants to set me up with a program reducing my dosage. She wants me to do this using Suboxone. Has anyone used this drug? How was it? What should I expect?

Sure has been a long haul since January. Things will never be the same but I do feel like I am heading in the right direction. Can't wait for this year to be over. This News Year will be one I will be celebrating. I am usually in bed before midnight but not this year. I can't wait to kiss 2007 Goodbye forever. 2008 Is when I expect to have my elbow start moving. That event will make it so I will be able to start getting rid of my sling. By the end of 2008 I hope to be sling free.

Thanks for all the support from everyone.
Janelle

Just wanted to wish you luck with your return to work! I hope its not too hard on you! The first few days can be rough so take it easy. I was only out of work for 5 weeks but going back to about full time between two jobs was tricky.

So good luck with your return to work! I am happy for you!
Hugs,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Wow!!! Janelle you are an inspiration to all not just TBPI patients. I don't even have a support person or team. You are so lucky. I wish you continued improvement and of course great success.
You are blessed.
Scott
Just curious where was your accident? If you remember I'm from Newburyport/Hampton Beach.

Hi Scott,
I was on 101 headed toward Manchester a 1/4 mile after Rte 125 in Epping. It was a drizzly day on the seacoast. According to the Epping Fire & Rescue the temperature dropped at 5:00 AM & caused an instant freeze. I hit black ice. The car spun went down the hit a tree & flipped on its side. I was very lucky, an ambulance witnessed the entire accident. They saved my life. I had a severed artery. I will be meeting everyone Wednesday night so I can thank them all. There was a huge crew involved in saving me.

I sent the Chief a lot of my details & pictures. They are having a rescue training that night. The Chief is thrilled a survivor wants to be there to thank them. He has some kind of presentation about my accident & recovery planned. He says it is a great moral booster. They are mainly a volunteer group. I'm just grateful to be able to thank them.

There were 27 accidents that morning between 5:00 & 6:30 AM when the temperature warmed and thawed the frozen road. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The problem is that I was on my way to work therefor I would have been on that road at that time every day.

Janelle