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~~Tuffy~~ · 09-23-2007, 12:26 AM

Is that stupid or what, how can an employer tell any one who and who they can not talk to when not working. Or is that just a rumor, I have heard many stories sinse my injury, and none of them were or are not true, I think they are just afraid of loosing there jobs.

AQA · 09-23-2007, 12:42 AM

BK, I am a smoker. I have had three back surgeies. During the second opinion that the ic requested. The dr. told me that he would not have done the surgery unless I had quit smoking. I then called my nephew ( he is in med. school ) and spoke with him on the issue. Thier is a theory that smokers do not heal as well or as quickly as non smokers. About a week after the second opinion my ncm called and brought up the issue that the ic may denie my third surgery because I smoked. I asked my nurse case manager if she was trying to tell me that a smoker has never healed? She had no responce. I told her to call me back when she could tell me that. I never heard another word about me smoking.

I do believe that smoking slows down the healing process and I know as well as others that no one benifits from smoking. Other than the person that did not get the s--- choked out of them by the smoker.LOL

As far as the numdness, It is a sign that the disk is pressing on a nerve. I am not the only one on this forum that has permanent nerve damage that was caused by a disk pressing on a nerve to long. Take Care.

~~Tuffy~~ · (This post was last modified: 09-23-2007 01:02 AM by tedsky2006.)

AQA, Love your avatar,, and this smoking thing I think is for the birds, Postponing surgery because you are a smoker I feel is just a stall tactic by the IC. Ever wonder what the outcome would be if you lied and said you didn't smoke, and they went ahead with the surgery, would you heal? You can bet you would, Maybe not as fast but then everyone is different in the healing process some fast others slower, so why the wait and make the injury worse.

I had another thought, If a person had a situation and had to have open heart surgery or bowel blockage etc, would they have to wait 30 days to have there surgery? By then they would not need surgery but a funeral director. Or these elderly people that smoke , fall and brake a hip do they wait 30 days for surgery? you can bet not.

red1030 · (This post was last modified: 09-23-2007 01:23 AM by flash.)

Hi all...interesting subject. Bummer sorry to hear about your RN friend. Nurses are at such a risk for back injuries. In terms of smoking and no surgery, Tuffy said it right. If someone is a smoker and they come to the ER and are having a heart attack don't you think they are going to take them to surgery. Of course they are. The risk of life and death are greater not too.

On the other hand there are valid points to be made in terms of smoking and no surgery. I don't see how 30 days off of cigarettes is going to make that much of a difference anyway. People who smoke are at risk for slower healing, and respiratory failure during surgery related to inability of the lung tissue to transfer the O2 to the heart and then to the system when given anesthia. Anesthia suppresses the person's respiratory system, so if you are smoker and you already have a suppressed respiratory system, adding anesthia which suppresses it more, puts the person at a greater risk for respiratory failure during surgery. If a person smokes the surgery team is aware and they take extra precautions to prevent respiratory failure. Then after the surgery there is an issue related to poor O2 circulation in the blood stream which slows healing. If after a surgery healing is slowed then that sets up risk for infection because of poor O2 in the blood which is needed to help the incision heal and then the longer it takes to heal then the greater chance a person has to experience an infection. Additionally, smokers are at risk for continued lowers sat (o2) levels after surgery which puts stress on the heart and their entire system. All in all, it would be better not to be a smoker but the health care team can do surgery. I have seen people with COPD not be a good surgery risk and therefore the surgeon would decide the risk of life and death is greater than the results of the surgery and therefore no surgery. But not a nurse who is working and who does not have COPD or emphasma. They will be at risk, but it mild compared to the risk that having sciatic nerve damage can cause.

red1030 · 09-23-2007, 01:27 AM

Bummer how did you find out that your co workers are under strick orders not to talk to you. That is absolutely ridiculous that any boss would go so far as to tell the staff not to talk to you... what do they accomplish by doing something like that. Make you out to be a villian or something but how does that help their cause at all...this sort of thing makes my blood boil. I think I am tired tonight..so my anger is showing...at such non sense. People should never be treated like this. And we live in American, no one can restrict anyone from talking to anyone else. That is crazy...that a boss cold get away with something like that.. Red

jayne · 09-23-2007, 08:52 AM

my co workers and board were given the same orders by salvation army HQ My boss and co worker both told me that.....my boss who was is a family lawyer told me then GET A LAWYER.....but neither has ever spoke to me since....and I have settled nor am I allowed in the local thrift store I managed.......

Bummer Knees · 09-23-2007, 09:02 AM

One of my former co-workers was fired from the job and I saw her around town, she told me my former co-workers are under orders not to talk to me.

I believe her because I have seen several of my co-workers when out shopping and not one of them will speak to me. Usually they turn their head or turn around and go another direction in the store.

I worked with these people for ten years.

Bummer Knees · 09-23-2007, 09:10 AM

Thanks red & tuffy for the information on smoking.

I am going to print this thread and take this to my friend.

She quit smoking a week ago and Ins Co said they will make a decision on the surgery in 30 days. I am thinking they will do another nicotine test in 30 days does that make sense?

Problems is that she has started having problems with her bladder and I have read this is a warning sign. She had this Thurs night and it went away Fri. Is this how the problems start out?

Lilly · 09-23-2007, 09:48 AM

Hi,
The no smoking prior to surgery is for anesthia and respiratory problems. And you are right....if you need heart surgery & you smoke...they'll do the heart surgery no matter what! I know as this happened to me and I was a 2 pk a day smoker. BUT, I did have to wait 4 days to get a certain medication I was taking out of my blood stream prior to surgery. Actually I think WC is simply trying to cover their butts in case complications arise during surgery...and they are also using this tactic "just because they can"!
I hope all turns out well for you, you will be in my prayers.
Lilly Smile

~~Still in Limbo~~ · 09-23-2007, 10:06 AM

Bummer, if Your Friends condition continues, Insist as Hard as You have to to get them to the ER. Bladder problems with a Back Injury is a very Serious Matter!! And the numbness is the Nerve being compressed, and not a good sign either. I have to spend the rest of my Life with Half of my Right Foot Numb, and they don't need something like that! For the good of Your Friend intervene, and get them the Care they need!! Wink