On March 14th I had my decompression surgery and then one month later I had my VP Shunt surgery. I thought everything was going to be fine and I would be able to get my life back because I was up and walking within hours of my surgery. Then my bladder shut down and I ended up spending a week in the hospital. I got out of the hospital on Saturday and have been home taking care of my daughter while my mom works. I have found this very challenging most days simply making a little breakfast exhaust me. Today I had a low grade fever all day and couldn’t do anything. My mom has been working as much as she can to be able to cover all of my bills on her own. She keeps hinting about me finding a job and working again, but I don’t see how this is possible when I get winded just from cleaning my living room. So fellow working Chiarians how do you do it? What types of jobs does everyone have? I hate not being able to provide for my daughter but more days than not getting out of bed is a HUGE task. My family keeps telling me to apply for disability, is that even a viable option? Is Chiari considered a disability? Will I ever be able to handle a full time job again? I feel helpless and hopeless. I would appreciate any advice.
I work a desk job in Human Resources, I have issues with fluorescent lighting still and my boss bought me a hat to wear at work. I find working at a desk easier than being on my feet. I can stand up and stretch, walk around if I need too but if I’m feeling blah I can park my butt in a chair all day.
It took me 4 months to recover from my decompression surgery. The doctors wouldn’t clear me to work until I was good. And after that it took me another 4 months to find a job.
Good luck, keep us posted!
I was off work for 4 months after surgery. I then returned to school but found I was not ready to teach yet. School was very kind to me. They placed me on light duty for 6 months. I was given a quiet office adjacent to the media center of the school. I created and painted large artworks to put up on the media center's walls. The media teacher kept an eye on me to make sure I was okay and not in need of help. It took me over a year to start returning to normal. I do not know if any of us ever return to a really normal state of affairs.
Standing long stretches of time is challenging and a no no. It places strain on your spine and you feel it very badly. I work as an art teacher for grade 4 to grade 7 children and also taught maths up to the end of 2013. It became too much as I worked day and night having to mark books, set tests, do prep etc. As from this year I work only from Wednesday to Friday teaching art and no longer any maths. I have very little work to take home so get much more rest and it has made all the difference. For someone who are unable to go out to work, why not see what you can start from home such as a online gift delivery service etc.?
I hope things work out for you.