Back to work

Well, it's been a while since I had much to report. But the biggest new is that I'm back to work, at least for light duty. I haven't been given the full green light, but I am working on light duty for now and am in my 3rd week of being back to work. I feel bad that I haven't posted this before now, mostly because it's a pretty big step from before.
I found out on the thursday before president's day and was told to report for work tuesday morning. Yet I had no idea what I would be doing. All weekend I couldn't help but wonder what I was going to be doing. I told my Lt. that I felt like I'd just gotten a new job but didn't know what it was! I'm working in Professional Standards and helping with the department's accreditation. It's hard to explain what the overall project is, but it'll suffice to say that I've got plenty to work on, and the stuff we do affects every aspect of the HPD. It's not super exciting, and it's a little out of my comfort zone, but I'm in a little office with some really good people. They're fun and have been really nice to work with. They even went so far as to get me my own little cubicle even though my help will only be temporary (I hope!)
I'm supposed to have another dr appt. before the end of this month. I'm really hoping I'll get a green light to be back in the jail. Keeping my fingers crossed.
I think that's it for now.

1-19-12 Dr. Visit

Hey all, Nate here.

So today was another visit with the dr. Here's a short version of what happened in our hour long visit:

My bloodwork is showing that my anemia has been taken care of. I'm not anemic anymore. So she said I can stop taking the iron pills. When she started with that right off the bat, I couldn't help but be hopeful that the good news would keep coming. That was about the end of the good news.  But I was glad to hear it.

I asked about my legs still(!) swelling every day. She said she'd have another ultrasound ordered to see if there are still clot problems in there, or something else causing it. But it is good that they aren't causing me much pain on a regular basis too.

We talked about getting back to work too. She says that she would be okay with me heading back soon but would prefer that I have the ability/option to leave if/when work becomes too much for me. [My concern is whether or not I would be able to supplement what time I may need to take off with the donated time (from what I'm being paid with now), or if that's not allowed. She wants me to have the option so I don't feel pressured to stay if it's too much on me. If I am not allowed to do that, I would prefer that I just use the remaining time in the donated bank and work even more on physical therapy for a few more weeks; I feel like it has been helping.] Not knowing what my body will do to me during a 12 hour shift makes me a little nervous. So she told us to check with HR and see what my options are regarding the paid leave and let her know.

Haven't really had a headache since this all went down; except for... maybe 5 or 6 REALLY small, minor aches. I think it has been really strange, but I've slowly realized that my headaches, for maybe about the last year or so, were probably being caused by this aneurysm in my brain. I'm not complaining about this, but it kinda creeps me out to think that so many (probably not all) of my headaches were being caused by this blood bubble inside my head- lieing silently waiting to attack. I think I've had this aneurysm for longer than I'd like to think. It's a scary thought.

Next appt will be in about a month. More bloodwork and hopefully more good news then.


CHRISTMAS

For those who are still keeping up with this blog, I want to thank you. We are mucho behind on our blog posts. We haven't forgotten that we need to post about the bake sale/fundraiser and Christmas. Which is huge. I feel bad that we haven't posted any pictures about the HUGE load Santa dropped off at our house (and how he managed to get it all in the house considering we don't have a chimney...) The kids loved it all and were so happy with everything they got. We were just happy that they were happy and taken care of. I can think of a joy no greater than seeing such happiness in my children. When they're happy, I am honestly happy for them. I am so SO grateful for everyone who made this Christmas happen for our family, because without so many anonymous Santa's helpers, we would have had a very sparse Christmas this year. So thank you to all of you for your generosity and donations to us.

quick update

Nate is doing well. He has started physically therapy and has been going 2-3 times a week. He is tired when he gets home but seems to like it ok. He is slowly getting better and has more and more energy each day. His legs are still having issues with the clots. They are pretty swollen by the end of the day and I think that is what bothers him most of the time. He is still on blood thinners and has to have his blood check 1-2 times a week to make sure the levels are correct. The doctor called today to say his blood came back perfect last time and everything looks great. He sees the doctor again on the 19th and she will decide on that point about when he can go back to work. I think he would love to get back. I think he sometimes gets tired of being at home and feels restless and anxious to get back to "normal."

Everything is going good though. We have not updated the blog nearly as much as I would like but there just really isn't much news going on with him right now. I still want to post about he bake sales and Christmas so hopefully I can do that soon.

Hope everything is going well with everyone.

Sammys pictures

I tried to get pictures of everyone at Sammys but it was so hard to know who was there for Nate and who wasn't. I felt a little weird going up to a table and asking me if I could take a picture of them eating. I wanted to make sure they were there for Nate so they didn't think I was a total nut case. I tried really hard to get around to meet everyone that was there but I just couldn't make it to every table. The manager at Sammys was so good to help me know who was has brought the fliers in so that I could go meet them. I feel awful that I don't know the names of everyone in these pictures but I am so thankful for everyone and their support.