@Karla@FinWhaleFan
“A few months ago, after my second procedure, I had mentioned doing a bit of gentle yoga/stretches to my neurologist neighbor friend in passing and he kind of gave me a side eye, “I hope you’re not doing down-dogs…?”
This was exactly what I was thinking of when I saw this post. I don’t feel comfortable lowering my head too much. For example when I visit the dentist, I always ask if they can raise my head a little higher. This is just a feeling that I have, but I don’t know if it would cause any problems.
Thanks for your response @R1ck. The seasonal work schedule seems to be ideal, and sounds like your hours are manageable.
I have been on short-term and then long-term disability through coverage at work since January when the SAH happened. I’m due for another “review” for continuing on disability this coming January, after my (hopefully) last stent procedure in November. I have not explored the SS Disability – other than looking at their website… I imagine that I could not be approved for both…(?) I will have to see how I recover before I could begin considering RTW – my neurosurgeon typically says three months recovery after the stent, so best-case scenario for me would February, and that is if recovery is “smooth.”
I still can’t bend over without losing my words and stuttering comes back. I’ve been trying to pull weeds and not wearing my knee pads because I need my legs to use the garden fork and not my arm to use the Korean digger. What is it with bending that effects our brains so much?
So happy you mentioned this! I am not sure if it is because I was without a neurologist for so long, but I never heard of that concern - although it makes a whole lot of sense! (Yes, @Karla, jealous you have a neurologist as a neighbor & friend!! ) The most I got was from my PT where we practiced some basic poses, but (my interpretation) is was more about getting up and down was the concern, especially since I had hydrocephalus before, throwing my balance off.
I will say that at least in some of the Yoga with Adriene videos (e.g., neck and shoulders), she does mention that you can do this in a chair or on the ground, so those might be o.k. Absolutely listen to your medical team and not me though!
Great question, @Moltroub. I wonder if I can sneak that in and ask either one of my docs in a couple of weeks to get a more accurate answer.
I met with a cognitive therapist who tested my mental and memory skills. She gave me the results and her finding yesterday. She said she can’t see me being able to work full time and doesn’t see how I can work part time actually. But I am and she said to continue to do so if I can, as it is good for me and my depression….
As for SS benefits and disability. I don’t know if it goes state to state or who you work for as far as disability. I was able to get that last summer but it wasn’t much and expired. I think it was about 170 a week for so many weeks and that’s all I could get.
As for SS, you can’t work full time and there is a six month waiting period to initially apply. So if you haven’t worked full time I would definitely apply. Even if you have you can still apply and get the process started.
Look into a disability lawyer. I have one. When I met with them initially I had already filed so it wasn’t till I got denied the first time that I actually ‘hired’ them. Now I’ve been denied 2 times and they are working on setting me up with a trial. It all takes so long. But they don’t get paid unless we win the case. So I haven’t paid them anything at this point. But they know what they are doing as I don’t. They get all my records for me (like a secretary) and they set up all these filings as I signed a release that they give to SS saying they now represent me. And they know what to say and coach me on all of it. And will continue to help me prepare for the trial. What we anticipate is that it will be a zoom call. I’ll do it at the attorneys office with the attorney. There will be a judge that zoom calls us and yes I will have to talk but the lawyer can help control the conversation to help benefit my outcome if the judge asks certain questions or I answer things a certain way.
Hope this helps and good luck !
@R1ck was getting evaluated by a cognitive therapist recommended by your lawyer? Also, at what point/signs did you have that got you evaluated/told you have depression? See below…
She gets the impression that I appear that I am better then I am, I asked her to explain what that meant. She said I tend to max out what I am doing to look like I’m maintaining but its sometimes overwhelming for me
Some skills are in a normal range while others are not there. She said I utilize things like my phone and notes to use as que’s and reminders which is a good thing. I need to continue working on things but some of which may continue to get better overtime but it’s hard to say, especially at over a year and a half post surgery how it all will turn out
Her recommendation is that I cannot maintain a full time job, she actually doesn’t see how I’m able to work part time, if I’m able to continue part time then I should. It’s helping my depression to get out of the house and work towards something
When I first read the report I was upset. And I told some close friends about it. I have gotten mixed responses from them. My regular therapist asked me last week how I thought I would react to thw results. I said I didn’t know, but I feel I would be relieved at least to have it done
I went to a Psychologist, actually a NeuroPsych to get tested. My choice, as I wanted to know why my brain wasn’t functioning like it used to. He administered the MMPI but since it was out of pocket, he didn’t report it to Minnesota and he did the WAIS, along with some other smaller testing, memory recall was but one. Dr. Gary met with both BH and myself several times, BH actually developed PTSD and not me. If you’re feeling depressed, tell your doctor perhaps they can suggest a good therapist for you. If you can find a CBT who specializes in Neuro issues that would be the one to go to or a NeuroPsych.
) The most I got was from my PT where we practiced some basic poses, but (my interpretation) is was more about getting up and down was the concern, especially since I had hydrocephalus before, throwing my balance off.