Man I screwed up my knee. Over the past couple of months it swelled up and I for the life of me could not get the swelling to exit. Went to the doctor on Friday and he said it was either swelling from arthritis or possibly a meniscus tear. Saturday comes along and my knee feels great, no pain. Sunday....I literally jogged across the field during my daughter's soccer game when I felt a pop, pop, pop right in the medial meniscus area and some mild pain. Went to work anyway and when I tried to step out of my car, I could not stand up...and a lot of pain. More than likely I had a torn meniscus all along and just dealt with it. Today is my third day in a row of missed work and I just feel guilty as all heck. In the past 15 years I have never taken off more than two days in a row for being sick, ill, or injured. In fact I hadn't called out for any reason coming on two years. But once again I feel like a scumbag every single day I call in to work and "call out". Waiting on an mri and if it is a meniscus tear I am going in for surgery. Crap. Any of you guys get like this about calling out from work?....nervous, guilt, all of it?
I have used my share of sick leave over the years but never for a reason I had to feel guilty about. All of what I used has been legitimate. I do work with some folks that should feel guilty about calling in sick for some self inflicted ailment. I guess that is better than showing up drunk for work though. I just bugs me that it was avoidable. It seems to me you have no cause to feel guilty. I'm sure your employer would want you to take care of this and come back when you are in good shape.
Sucks man, and yes i feel like that too. I dont like leaving the crews down a man, sometimes they have to take a squad off the road depending on the schedule for that day...
Shadow, just a few months ago I fractured a couple bones in a snowmobile accident and I was not able to work for 5 weeks. I didn't feel guilty....stuff happens. I would have gladly traded places with any of the healthy people at work rather than sit at home in constant pain waiting for my injuries to heal.
Good luck and get well. Some times you need to be a bit selfish, as you need to be healed up if you're supposed to be on patrol. Keep your supervisors informed as to your status/progress. The guilt generally comes with a job you love and/or a great realization of the responsibilities you carry. Kidney stones, blowing out my ankle a couple times and back problems have thrown me over the years. Other times I've looked back at other flukey situations and can only believe God was protecting me from certain circumstances or events...
Thanks guys. Hopefully I can strengthen this thing up and return to work. If it is torn then surgery it is. What is crazy is that on Saturday myself and another officer jumped out on a subject that ran into the woods and we chased her. I felt no pain and I was moving pretty quick. One day later I am simply jogging 2-3 mph hour and my knee pops. What the heck.
You're a good man, Brett. Many people are very willing to abuse sick days. Sounds like yours is very legitimate. Rest up, and you'll get back to work quicker than if you push it. I also don't take sick days unless it's a stomach virus since you really can't teach in that situation :D I feel like I'm so far behind even if I miss just one day.
I've called out 3 times in the past 5 years. 2 of those I was in the hospital. Hope you feel better Brett! Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk 2
No reason to feel guilt over a legitimate injury. My Ex had a torn meniscus and they are funny. It seems like it all depends on how the tear happens to be laying. If normal, no pain. If it moves into an awkward postition, you can't move or are in terrible pain. I almost never call off work. Not because I have a job that matters if I show up,(no one would miss me for an instant) but I just rarely get sick and I don't abuse calling off. I actually feel more guilty for NOT calling off more often than I do.
Sounds to me like you have a very legitimate reason for missing work. You shouldn't feel guilty in the slightest. Especially with being an LEO. The public needs you in top shape for that position. I don't call out of work anymore but when I was younger I did quite often, during my party hearty time in life. I used to call in way more than I should have and I do feel guilty about that because it was my own doing.
Typically a meniscus tear is one of the milder fixes when it comes to knee issues. Folks usually have a quicker recovery compared to reconstruction of a torn knee ligament.
Yep, I tore the meniscus in my other knee 17 years ago and had it fixed. I was up and literally running within a week. My legs were a lot stronger then and I was younger. I could see this taking me about a month this time around. Hopefully they can get the mri set and I can move along with a plan for surgery if necessary.
My dad had surgery on his meniscus end of 2012. I think he missed 2 weeks but his job isnt nearly as demanding as a leo. Sent from my SGH-T959 using Xparent Green Tapatalk 2
I havent called in sick in a LONG time. cant remember the last time i did. Going a day without pay sucks too. I dont have sick leave at work unlike my GF who has more sick leave avail then i do reg vaction time ( ****ing goverment workers )
Missed a week of work then started a months worth of rehab. Pretty sure I tore my mcl but ive dealt with it on the job. Getting stronger every day but I believe my knee is still only 70 -80% right now. I'm looking at around another 4 to 6 weeks before I can start back to some average levels of physical training. But all in all I am happy I am recovering and helping out at work.
I am the same as you. Have only left work early because my son was sick. Other than that I have not taken any time off that was not planned. I hope everything is ok in 4-5 months so you can walk to your stand.
