My Life as a Semicolon ; ): What If

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

What If

This one requires a little bit of context and a caveat for Unum employees: stop if you’ve heard this one before. I was very kindly asked by our Corporate Communications area to write a piece reflecting on my, let's say, "situation". I was happy to do it, and what I put together follows, along with the headline and bookends written by my colleague in Corp Comm (what I've decided to call it). She has a blog too. I happened to go into the office this past Monday -- the same day my story hit the intranet and the corporate newsletter, as well as largescreen monitors throughout the building lobby -- as if anyone really needed to see my face that big.The response has been very nice, only encouraging my continued return to work. And the link all the way at the bottom has a really nice picture of Gus and me.

A story of hope and healing from one of our own

How the work we do and the culture of our company made all the difference for a colleague

Monday, Dec. 19, 2011

By Ken Shapiro, project manager III

When I started working at Unum approximately five years ago, what I knew about the company was limited to: they’re a major employer in the Portland, Maine, area, they sponsored the fireworks-spouting lighthouse which would sprout up behind the centerfield fence when the Portland Sea Dogs hit home runs, and they sold disability insurance.

My knowledge of disability insurance was limited to my wife's maternity leave. This explains why building business acumen has been on my development plan for many years running. I would not, however, recommend how I've gone about achieving that goal – by needing my disability coverage more than I could have predicted.

I suppose we’re in a business of “what if.” Not that we want to be fearmongers, but five years ago I would never have imagined how honored and grateful I’d be to be both an employee and customer of our company. As an employee, it gives me great pride to know how important our work is to the lives of people going through some of their darkest times.

So how did I get here? Almost two years ago, I learned I had been growing a cerebral aneurysm for as long as 10 years. Approximately a year ago, after brain surgery to remove the aneurysm and a subsequent stroke which left me hemiparesic on my left side, I began my long road to recovery and the trek through physical rehabilitation to a return to work in a role which fortunately does not call upon areas of my body heavily affected by my stroke – meaning I spend most of my working time at the computer and have found adaptive equipment (such as the dictation software enabling me to write this) which aids my efforts.

As much as I've come to appreciate the value of my short term and long term disability policies, I've come to appreciate even more the support rendered to me by my friends and co-workers in the Benefits Center Learning and Performance Development area.

They have offered incomparable good wishes and encouragement to (literally) get me back on my feet and back to work. My disability benefit specialists and our in-house return-to-work staff have also provided support which made the transition from hospital room to home to office that much easier.

What was an incredibly difficult year for me and my family was ultimately made enriching through the generosity of friends and co-workers and an ever-extended community of kindness. I've seen this in visits to New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland, through simple connections on Facebook, as well as through comments on the blog I use to chronicle my experience.

I hate to claim mine as a cautionary tale, since there really is no measure of prevention involved. I am just one of the lucky few granted an opportunity to reflect on the ways our lives are interconnected when “what if” happens. Yes, I am lucky; in part because I’m coming out the other side and also because I get to say this:

Thank you for everything you do to help people like me. Know that even if you don't provide direct services to the people who depend on these benefits, what you are doing makes a difference.

Read more about Ken’s journey on the New England Rehabilitation Hospital website.

3 comments :

Mary7:28 PM, December 21, 2011
Thanks so much for sharing your story with your colleagues, Ken. It means so much to so many. And, hey, we call it Corp Comm, too, so you're right on there. :-)
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Anonymous7:51 AM, December 22, 2011
Hey Ken,

I'm glad you got the chance to share your story with the people who keep you gainfully employed. From what I've read about them on this blog, they seem like tremendous folks! I'd like to thank them too for all they've done and continue to do for you, Jamie and the boys. See you at brunch if not before!

--Amy
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Susan12:12 PM, December 27, 2011
Ken, keep working!! I'm a PMR physician working at Unum (I'm sure you're sick of seeing doctors. sorry!) and your story is great!! Sure, lots of advances in adaptive equipment can help with return, but really your going back to work is your drive to go back/be productive/support your family great work ethic. Probably in part due to working in the field for a while and knowing that the services offered can really help.
I was on disability for a bit too (Breast cancer with chemo/radiation while employed with UNUM) and was able to work part time during most of it (survived and returned to work). Your story really speaks more of drive and hard work than mine and I hope you continue always to work towards "the other side." Never give up!! Though we age, it's the drive that really keeps us going!! You have it and don't ever lose it! I'm happy that Unum provides services to help people get back to work and has services/resources/suggestions that help. And not just because it gets people "off claim", but because it's really the right thing to do. People should be productive and support themselves if they are able. Unum helps. And I'm happy to be a part of it too.
Susan
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My Life as a Semicolon ; )

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

What If

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Activities	Immediately after Stroke(early Oct. 2010)	When I left MGH/arrived at NERHP(mid-Oct. 2010)	When I left the rehab (12/21/10)	Now (02/21/13)
Eating	I started with an an NG-Tube, which was inserted during my original surgery and soon was given a G-tube, during a separate surgery. My primary source of nutrients was called Jevity, which is not as much fun or tastyas it sounds.I actually have no idea what it tastes like, but it looks and smells like a combination of coffee milk and Yoo-Hoo	Still on an all-liquid diet of Jevity through my feeding tube.	Early in my stay at the rehab, I took a Modified-Barium-Swallow test with my speech therapist in order to confirm that the stroke had not damaged my ability to swallow or my gag reflex. After passing the test, I was allowed to eat solid food, though even that came in stages. For instance, I rememberthe first group of foods were "mechanical soft" and I drank "nectar thick" liquids"	I try to eat a healthy diet and have no specific restrictions.
Therapy	approximately one hour a day of OT and PT.	approximately three hours a day of OT, PT, and speech therapy (speech encompasses talking, drinking, eating, and cognitive functions.	approximately three hours a day of OT and PT. I was discharged from speech therapy relatively early on, once it was determined that my cognition, speech, and swallowing were relatively fine	After leaving inpatient at the rehab, I began outpatient OT and PT twice a week and also had in-home OT and PT twice a week. after receiving the results of my neuropsych evaluation, speech therapy was added back in. I then had to eliminate some therapy in order to free up time for my return to work. In 2012 I did no formal OT or PT but tried other forms of therapy like chiropractic and Feldenkrais. I am also going to try craniosacral therapy. I've regularly seen a psychologist throughout my recovery.
Walking	None	None	walking with close supervision and the support of an AFO brace and quad cane	walking independently, with the support of a KAFO brace and a straight cane, now equipped with a standing tip(which I love). I periodically walk without cane or brace, when the occasion calls for it (like carrying something).
Toileting	during my original surgery, I was given a Foley cath– an internal catheter – which remained in place for quite a while. It think after not producing enough in my catheter bag, I was given another internal catheter – this time a Straight cath. They can only stay in for relatively short time,I think, so I was granted the opportunity to try aTexas Condom Cath. After that proved unsuccessful, I was given what was simply called a Urinal, but which I referred to as my "pee jug"	Urinal	urinal at night, toilet during the day	all toilet all the time; no assistance required
Bathing	bed/sponge baths	bed/sponge baths,though after about two weeks inpatient at the rehab, I started showering periodically with assistance	showering, seated, with minimal assistance	showering, seated, with no assistance, standing with some assistance
Dressing	maximum assistance required	maximum assistance required	some assistance required	no assistance required, except with some jackets and zippers
Balance	could not stand or sit up straight	could not stand or sit up straight	could stand and sit for short periods of time	can stand and sit without assistance for relatively long stretches of time
Left Leg/Foot	no movement	no movement	large movement from hip and quad.weak in hamstring. no movement in ankle or toes	still weak in hamstring, but much stronger in leg overall. Some ankle motion, but nothing in my toes.
Left Arm/Hand	no movement	no movement	large movements from the shoulder and bicep. Some hand grip. No finger extension.	similar to when I left the rehab, though large movements are easier and my grip is a bit stronger.
Speech	Little and/or slurred	slurred Jamie often remarked that I had a "flat affect."	relatively clear.	most people say they don't notice any issues with my speech, but I still notice some slurring when I raise my voice (which, of course, never happens in a house with two young boys) or when I try to string together too many thoughts or syllables at once; I can't seem to whistle like I used to, my pitch is a little off when singing; and I can't curl my tongue anymore.
Pain	negligible	negligible	negligible	headaches periodically, but no general pain
Aneurysm	primarily removed	no change	no change	as far as we know, no change
Seizures	gone	no change	no change	gran-Mal seizure while sleeping, in August 2012.
Skull	a portion was missing (on purpose)	no change	cranioplasty completed	scars are healing well. There are some "irregularities" in how the plates have healed, especially with the plastic skull flap. That's not unusual. Sensation is returning to areas of my scalp where nerves were severed during surgeries. Sometimes this can cause odd sensations, but not pain per se. I do have some pain when yawning.
Medication	antiseizure meds,Heparin anti-clotting shots to my belly (which is standard for bedridden patients), beta blocker for high blood pressure, though, that was primarily a reaction to my heart episode, not an actual issue with high blood pressure; Lipitor to lower cholesterol, though, that also was prescribed primarily in reaction to my heart episode and the stroke. Baclofen for spasticity.	no change	no change	I'm no longer on the beta blocker, since my blood pressure has stabilized. I've also reduced my Lipitor intake, because my liver enzymes were not reacting well with it.Since I am no longer in bed as much, I did not need the Heparin shots once I returned home. Anti-seizure meds were increased after my 2012 seizure. Lexapro for mild depression.
Heart	some sort of heart episode had occurred, but no direct cause – other than brain surgery – was identified	no change	chemical stress test did not identify any long-term damage caused by heart attack or risk factors for future concerns	no change
Falls	None, though if I had been left alone, I certainly would've fallen over	same	no falls during my time at the rehab, though, I had a couple close calls during transfers from my wheelchair, or when trying to move too quickly	I've had a few falls at home, up through 2012, but have also regularly practiced getting up from the floor during PT. I have to be cautious but not fear falls
Wheelchair	the only way I could be moved was by wheelchair or gurney, primarily gurney	same	I did use the wheelchair for "long"trips down the hall.	When first at home, the wheelchair was the easiest way to get me around or in and out of the house and car. I no longer use it except on excursions that would require a great deal of walking, such as at the airport.
Stairs	None	same	some use of "practice stairs." And actual stairwells, always with supervision	when first at home, I stayed on the ground floor of the house at all times, but now go upstairs to sleep and shower, as well as down to the basement for exercise. I still mostly go one step at a time (as opposed to stepping "reciprocally"), but only need supervision when there is no railing on my right side – up or down. Regularly exercise at work by reciprocally climbing three flights of stairs.
Driving	none	same	same	Car modified for one-handed operation, I got my license back at the end of January 2013.
Sleep	this fight, the noise of the hospital, I generally slept okay. I was pretty exhausted and at times still groggy from anesthesia.	same	I went through some periods of sleeplessness due to noise in the rehab and was given some sleeping aids, which helped.	I've been sleeping pretty well, aside from typical interruptions of young children. Diagnosed with mild sleep apnea in February 2013.
Work	none	none	none	From 7/11 through 12/11, ramped up from part-time at home to fulltime from home . From 1/12-6/12, ramped up from part-time in the office to fulltime in the office, which continues.
Mood	upset by my circumstances but generally positive	same	same	I think working has given me a boost to a certain extent. I try to be positive, though certainly get frustrated at times. I'm also on Lexapro, in part because a study showed a connection between SSRIs and neurological healing. At worst, the study found that patients were less depressed and more motivated to work toward recovery.
Exercise	Little to none	same	I considered all therapy to be exercise.	Again, therapy has been exercise. Without formal therapy, I do regular stretching and have recently added a treadmill to our inventory of equipment. This will hopefully help improve my stamina in preparation for time in the office, as well as help me focus on walking pace and form. I've also been using ourWii balance board, which includes fun, but safe ways for me to put my balance to the test.
Tactile sensitivity	slightly diminished– if tested subtly, for instance, with a Q-tip, I could not easily identify which finger on my left hand was being touched.	same	improved	relatively normal, though I am somewhat hypersensitive to heat and cold.