convalescent leave sucks any suggestions

[saywin]

I am in the Air Force and I just had a benign tumor/lesion removed from my right femur and my femur replaced with a 10 inch rod! I have been home for 2 weeks now and the pain is managable with little drugs. I called my supervisor today and mentoined that my wife and I are going to Lowes, he said that I am not supposed to leave the house while on convalescent leave, so what am I supposed to do sit around the house and go crazy? I also have a trip that is bought and paid for to Disneyworld and a nice resort from May 14 thru May 17th and I was told by my supervisor I may not be able to go because the doctor has me on convalescent leave until 18 May 2007. The funny part is that my doctor incouraged me to go on the trip! Does anyone have any advice about all this, I have never been on convalescent leave for more than a couple of days? Please feel free to chime in.
Thanks in advance!!!!!!

 

[MIB]

Your convelescent leave chit from the Doc should state what you can and cannot do. As long as you don't violate the doctors orders you should be fine. I know it's boring as heck sitting around. I had my gas foot operated on sometime ago, and it killed me laying around the house for almost a month. I couldn't do any prolonged standing, lifting or running. My therapy was walking out to the buicks. Each time I would walk a little faster and stand a little longer until enventually I could at least wash and clean it. Your supervisor is correct, consult your Doc. If it's something you really want to do, have the Doc put it in writiing that way you are covered. Good Luck to You Gunner

 

[corymc]

I know when i was in if somebody got convalescent leave they would go home or do what ever they wanted. I dont think its that big of deal just go to your dr's apt's and you should be fine

 

[turbo nasty]

Whats up bro and hope you have a fast recovery and sorry to hear about the whole deal.

I am a USAF vet... Best bet is to get your Doc to make sure the what you are and are not supposed to do letter is very detailed and clear, then submit that to your supervisor. And he or she cant say a darn thing then when its in Black and white. Also get your First Sgt involved.... not to the point of him getting in between your Super and yours business but let him or her know whats up and the extent of your docs note etc.

 

[Lee_Burough]

Speaking after providing direct patient care in Air Force hospitals for 20 years....

Your supervisor is incorrectly informed. But, remember you'll have to work for him/her when you come back to work, so handle it carefully.

Your surgeon will have given you discharge instructions and will help you any way he/she can. Have the surgeon or your Primary Care Provider call your supervisor and discuss how convalescent leave works.

While on convelescent leave, your supervisor has no demands on your time or how you spend it as long you comply with your doctor's instructions. None.

I thought the Air Force Base in DFW was closed....? PM me if you want to talk about this.

 

[Lee_Burough]

....Snip....Also get your First Sgt involved.... not to the point of him getting in between your Super and yours business but let him or her know whats up and the extent of your docs note etc.

This is good advice if you are an enlisted person. Your First Seargent can run interference for you. Few people in the building have as much respect as the First Seargent, and only the Commander has more power.

Your supervisor is Wrong! You deserve better leadership than that....

Sitting at home (unless restricted by your doctor) is the worst thing you can do! Get up and get moving ASAPractical.

Get written clearance from the doc and you CAN go to Disneyland.

 

[Rodney87GN]

Yes get everything in writing from your doc. FWIW I took 30 days of con leave 2 years ago before I was medically retired from the AF...no restrictions at all...basically did whatever I wanted to.:wink:

 

[Instro84]

Ditto on what our fellow servicemen above said. Its up to your doc what you can and cant do. I out for 3 months when my tumor was removed, they had me up and doing physical therapy about 2 hrs after surgery. Convalescent leave doesn't mean you can leave your quarters, if paperwork from the doc isn't enough, have the doc print out the portion of the AFI governing con leave and present it to him.