Outta my range, but I should...

[frankiethewaffle]

Hey listen. It is not me but I wanna sue.

Months ago I ripped my shoulder at work. I hurried back to work to save my place at my job. I did everything they asked me to save my place at my job. No matter how much it hurt even though I told some that it hurt. I was called into the office to explain this. Apparently, they did not get this. They fired me on the means I could not do my job as I did before. Had a concussion at this job as well, never pursued anything.

But I am pissed. I am a bull, I work, that is what I do, and Keep my job above all else. The doctor wanted surgery. I talked him out of it to see what physical therapy would do. I even dumped that to go to work instead.

I may be that stupid. but to this day i suffer with that injury, tried to keep my job and they took it. I can't scratch my neck without massive pain to my shoulder. I think I know.

But call a lawyer? I am too old to hurt for minimum wage.

[jd1138]

I'd go and talk to an attorney who handles workplace injuries. You could check with the local bar in your area and see who they recommend. Initial consultations are usually free. I suppose you could just go straight to the Workers Compensation people, but you may have a larger case (punitive) against the company itself if they were negligent in letting you come back to work too early and/or keeping you working, in addition to the workers comp claim. good luck.

[mikec]

Talk to a lawyer now. Many years back I hurt a shoulder and never said anything. Today i wish I had. You may be out of luck, but you never know.

Today, any injury gets documented. That goes for me or any member of my crew. The folks I deal with cry poor, but they are owned by very wealthy companies. They have the insurance for a reason.

[frankiethewaffle]

I have consulted an Attorney, it is in the works.

More and more as the pains grow and become more frequent. I know this. It hurts. I am coming to the conclusion that I need the surgery. I don't want the surgery, I am scared. I just hope that I don't have to be cut. However, I have been told by friends and surgical brethren, if I let it go and it tears completely, I will be cut from Neck to Elbow to fix it. I am es-cared. I wish I didn't need the surgery. I will never cry out in pain, but it is there. You may not hear it, but I feel it.

I really don't want the surgery. Help!?!

[jd1138]

Surgery isn't too bad. The anesthesiologist will insert some "go sleepytime" medicine into your IV, and then you will fall asleep instantly, and then you wake up in recovery. You won't remember falling asleep or the surgery. Then just keep the dressing clean. And you will probably go and see the Dr. a few days after the surgery, and he will inspect the wound and then put a fresh dressing on it. They will give you happy pills like Vicodin.

[phatlip]

Surgery isn't too bad. The anesthesiologist will insert some "go sleepytime" medicine into your IV, and then you will fall asleep instantly, and then you wake up in recovery. You won't remember falling asleep or the surgery. Then just keep the dressing clean. And you will probably go and see the Dr. a few days after the surgery, and he will inspect the wound and then put a fresh dressing on it. They will give you happy pills like Vicodin.

If you can, get the anesthesiologist to do a nerve block. I had two shoulder surgeries and had nerve blocks on each. It will basically temporarily paralyze your entire arm. This is a good thing. Pain is no big deal as long as the nerve block lasts. Thereafter, be sure to take your pain meds around the clock. If it's time to take the medicine, take it. Even if it doesn't hurt that much. I say that because it WILL hurt about an hour later. I made that mistake with the first surgery. Absolute hell. The second time around I took it around the clock for 1 or 2 weeks straight. The pain wasn't a big deal the second time around because of this.

When you're done, stick to the physical therapy. This is important.

[frankiethewaffle]

If you can, get the anesthesiologist to do a nerve block. I had two shoulder surgeries and had nerve blocks on each. It will basically temporarily paralyze your entire arm. This is a good thing. Pain is no big deal as long as the nerve block lasts. Thereafter, be sure to take your pain meds around the clock. If it's time to take the medicine, take it. Even if it doesn't hurt that much. I say that because it WILL hurt about an hour later. I made that mistake with the first surgery. Absolute hell. The second time around I took it around the clock for 1 or 2 weeks straight. The pain wasn't a big deal the second time around because of this.

When you're done, stick to the physical therapy. This is important.

God knows what the surgeon will do, but last night I tried to turn and put my head on my right arm. I cursed pain I have never felt for at least five minutes. Felt like someone jammed their finger into my joint like a monkey wrench into the gears. I don't think I have ever hurt that much.

I know about PT. I took their advice and did everything they said, except come back for more. My favorite thing was the "Hand Bicycle" thing. It felt great and I really wanted to push up the weight to max for my workout. That is what I was used to. I used at least 220 for my back prior to this injury. Now, I can't bench press 100lbs with out pain.

I did lift over 100lbs like a dead lift, out of spite, for my job, only 'cause I was mad they asked me to do it alone. No one could even slide the package while it was on the floor. Then they called me into the office because I said it hurt although I had a full release. That release I asked for, for fear of losing my job. Even that Customer yelled at me for my own safety, but then complained as I was given no help. Backfire on me again.

I should add that I do have health deals. Most that end in my eyes being swollen shut like Rocky and as I was written up for calling in, I was told, "My wrestling coach used to tell me, 'Come to practice, if you are sick, throw up on the mat and I will make you mop it up, Then you can go home.'" This was by THE boss in the context of writing me up for calling in sick. Why do you think I would avoid the surgery and dump Physical Therapy to get to work instead?