Complication with gall bladder surgery...or just slow healing????

prn nurse · Sep 19, 2002

Dear Frankie Jane, Isn't this a screwed up world we live in?

It wasn't but a few years ago that everyone who had a chole...lap or not, was not approved to return to work for 6-8 weeks. Six weeks was the minimum to return after any kind of abdominal surgery.

My next action would be to call the hospital and speak with the CNO - chief nursing officer . Pooey on an HR clerk. I would speak to someone in Nursing.....get names.

I swear I'd threaten to sue them....except that doesn't go over well.... does it? Demand they show it to you in writing. Call the HR person and tell her to fax it to you...you can receive faxes at commercial places. It always makes them nervous when they have to show it in writing. I wonder if it has been challenged. You could call the Labor Board to see if it is legal. It certainly doesn't sound ethical. Does your hospital have a chief ethics officer? Call them & discuss it with them.

We were just discussing this last week at the hospital where I work. Same deal. You run outa days, you're outa there.

Even though they are short of nurses and have a slew of agency nurses working..... go figure !! Although I was told IN ACTUAL PRACTICE, they usually carry the nurse along on ABSENT WITHOUT TIME, ETC....some excuse. In other words , it is on the books , but not really enforced.

I think someone has just told the HR to do that...threaten you lightly---pressure you a bit, to get you to come back NOW!

I'd do it my way,.. whats' best for me & finally tell them , "you all do what you gotta do."

I would not go back to work....until totally healed !!!! That means not giving them a return date. Thats what they will push for. The complications puts the ball in your court and they are looking very non-compliant, unsupportive, unethical here.

You can easily get a hernia in the surgical area's from pulling , bending , wrenching, lifting, etc. We see them all the time...surgery-induced hernias= another operation.

Do what you gotta do girlfriend , but take care of # 1 first and don't let the bastards grind you down !

And DON'T WORRY ABOUT THIS AFFECTING ANOTHER JOB APP. never !!!

shannonRN, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2002

glad to hear that you are feeling better! i had the same problem when i had ankle surgery. i was on leave for 3 months, but i wasn't cleared to come back to work...so my boss threatened to fire me. a couple of people i talked to mentioned that there is some type of wrongful termination group that you can talk with...hopefully someone here will know the name. i will try to find out and get back with you. good luck!!!

FrankieJane · Sep 19, 2002

shannonRN: I would appreciate the name of the wrongful termination group that you spoke of. Thanks for thinking of me.

prn nurse: It is a screwed up world! I am going to recover before returning to work. I agree with you...I need to take care of me first (God only knows my hospital isn't looking out for my best interests). My doctor did caution me about the risk for hernias at my incision sites if I lift, pull, etc. I am not going to compromise my health for my job. We have had other workers fired due to attendance (one had CHF, the other had a complicated pregnancy and had to go on bed rest...and I am sure there have been others). Thank you for all of your advice. At this point I don't even want to go back to that place. I already have my resume updated and the help wanted ads highlighted. I'll keep you updated on my situation.

RN-PA: My hospital does have a shortage of nurses...and so do several hospitals, nursing homes, home health, and hospice organizations around me. If I quit or got fired today, I could have a job within a week. It is a shame that the hospital is treating me this way. It would make more financial sense on their part to give me one additional week off as opposed to terminating me and having to train a new worker. I can't even verbalize how angry and upset I am about this situation! I am going to go read a book and chill out for awhile. I need a little distance from the situation since I can't make any phone calls until the morning. Thanks for your advice.

To all others that responded: Thank you for your concern and support. I will give you all an update tomorrow on my situation. :)

shannonRN, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2002

hope this helps....The group was the EEOC......equal employment oportunity commision~ and then there is always the state's AFL-CLO. i'm not sure what the second group is, just got it from my friend who had mentioned this when i was on leave. good luck!!!

Fgr8Out · Sep 21, 2002

FrankieJean.... I know nothing about FMLA, but it would seem to me that this (or some other similar labor law) would mandate that your employer be required to have a position for you during your convalescence. I'd check into that, as well as the other fine suggestions.

As for your surgery... if you're beginning to feel better... that's wonderful. But, if you're still having pain... it's very possible that you could have a stone/stones in your common bile duct and still require an ERCP. Even patient's who have had both done, can still develop stones in the duct and require another ERCP to remove them. I recall a patient who had an open chole 20 years earlier, and required this procedure.

As for the pain running up the shoulder... this is due to the gas used to inflate the abdomen during the procedure. Just like bubbles, when they rise in a glass of soda... the gas in the abdomen does the same... causing sometimes intense pain.

Prayers to you, FrankieJean

Peace:)

FrankieJane · Sep 25, 2002

Just thought I'd update everyone on what happened...

I talked to someone from human resources on the 19th about my situation. They said that perhaps they could allow me to remain on staff as long as I could be back at work within a few days. No light duty work was offered. I told them I was not cleared for work until the 25th. I was willing to go back to work as early as the 23rd if my surgeon would ok it. I then got a letter on the morning of the 23rd from my hospital. The letter was dated the 20th and stated that I was not eligible for medical leave and after my benefit time (sick and vacation time) was used up...I would be terminated. The letter then stated that my benefit time was used up as of the 9th, therefore my termination dated was September 9th. If I was terminated as of the 9th, why was human resources still trying to get me back to work on the 19th? Why didn't I receive a termination letter earlier? NOW, HERE'S THE KICKER: The letter also requested that as soon as I was cleared for work...I should reapply for my position!!!

Anyway, all is good. I have a new job lined up. I start the 30th of September. I will be doing hospice care in people's homes.

My question is...am I entitled to any back pay from unemployment? I wasn't going to apply for unemployment since I will start a new job soon, but if I am eligible for back pay from the 9th, I may just go and fill out the paperwork.

FrankieJane · Sep 25, 2002

Oh, I forgot to mention, I am feeling much better now. The stabbing pain is gone and my incisions are looking good. Thanks again, everyone, for your replies!

RN-PA, RN · Sep 25, 2002

Thanks for the updates, FrankieJane. Sounds like you're well-rid of the place you worked-- their loss-- and I wish you all the best in your new position as a hospice nurse. It's also great to hear that your post-op pain is gone. :)

I know nothing about unemployment so can't help you there. Please keep us updated on the unemployment situation and your new job!

susanmary · Sep 25, 2002

Not a very supportive work environment you worked in. You had surgery and needed some extra time off. It happens. New nurse or not -- you were NOT supported by management or human resources. I would have your MD write a note (or if you have a copy of his order for you not to go back to work until such and such a date) I would have a copy sent to your permanent file. Then leave that place and don't go back. Run. You deserve better.

kids · Sep 26, 2002

Originally posted by Fgr8Out
... I know nothing about FMLA, but it would seem to me that this (or some other similar labor law) would mandate that your employer be required to have a position for you during your convalescence. I'd check into that, as well as the other fine suggestions...

(quote edited down in size by kids)

FMLA requires 12 months of employment and a specified minimum number of hours worked (don't remember how many).

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 26, 2002

Frankie I am so sorry about all you have been thru. And sorrier still about how they are treating you at work. Just disgusting. Another reason I am glad I am perdiem.......and never intend to go FTE again if I can possibly avoid it. Prayers for healing your way, love.

theoak · Jun 17, 2011

Hi all...
I had my gall bladder removed (per scope) about three weeks ago. I seem to be doing alright with the exception of some right sided pain. The pain is just under my right rib and feels like I am being stabbed with a knife. The pain occurs with deep breaths, when I yawn, when I laugh, and when I twist my torso. The pain ranks about a 7-8 out of 10 and goes away as quickly as it comes. If I sit still I have absolutely no pain at all. Walking does not aggrevate the pain nor does regular activity. I feel as if I could avoid taking deep breaths and yawning I could be 99% pain free. The surgeon says this is a normal side effect of the surgery and it should pass in time. I am a bit concerned that I am still feeling this pain. My lungs sound clear and equal with good air exchange and I have no fever. My GI system is functioning fine (thank goodness). Am I being overly concerned? Is the type of pain I am describing normal? Does anyone out there have any experience with the type of pain I am describing? I would appreciate any input/advice. Thanks! :)

I had my gall bladder removed 3 1/2 weeks ago too. Just under my right rib, near one off the incision sites, I get a sharp pain like someone is pinching me real deep inside. I get the pain when I stoop down and upon getting back up, also when I turn toward the right. I also get it when moving around in the bed, I still find it hard to get comfortable I haven't called my doc, but maybe I will.