Nurseamy93,

I personally would listen to the doctor. I understand that this is week four and you are feeling fine and that is wonderful but you have to ask yourself....why would he want me to hang back another weekend if he didn't mean it?

You are paying him to advise and I would take it.

If you are feeling pressure to go back for whatever reason them I understand. Sometimes bosses feel you need to be back or we the human want to get back but you'll be all the more effective next weekend by following doctorsteps orders.

Good luck and keep us posted.

MLGB

I've been on Xarelto for 4 1/2 months and have noticed no bruising or excessive bleeding, so I guess we are alright. It's frightening getting back to Life=Before-PEs--my hematologist keeps telling me that I'm otherwise healthy and to not let PEs define me, but I share your worry. I started back jogging and going to spin class within 2 weeks of my hospitalization. My pulmonologist suggested I keep an oximeter handy (got one at Walgreen's) to measure the oxygen saturation level of my blood. Not sure what this is for, but it's a reassurance that I'm sort-of normal.

I'm kind of on board with doing what feels right for you. I mentioned before in another post, just be aware that when you go back to work, you may find you feel super fatigued for a while, and that part is hard. It's not like, oh I'm a little tired. It's more like, holy crap, I feel awful. It's ok and it won't kill you. I just know for me, I didn't expect that level of tired so it was concerning at first because I thought something was wrong with me.

It will feel good to see your coworkers. My coworkers were so happy to see me and it really lifted my spirits. Plus it gets you out of your PE brain, and you can think and talk about other things. Our worlds get so small after a PE. Mentally, it was important for me to get back to work. I really needed the distraction and to feel sort of normal.

I've been on warfarin and xarelto and with both, I didn't have major bruising, just random bruising once in a while. I thought I'd be black and blue all the time. The times where I'd hurt myself, I'd think, oh man that's going to bruise, and there would be very little bruising. Then there are times like now, where I have bruises on my forearm and have no idea why. Go figure.

Thanks everyone for the encouraging words. So I went back only on Sunday for 12 hours and I made it! Last night I was definitely tired!!! Like fall asleep when my poor hubby was talking to me. Then today I have a migraine. But I did it. And me sweet boss called to check on me and how my weekend one day went. I did notice some foggy brain and had the crash hour around 1pm. My fellow coworkers picked up my slack and charted during those times and around 5pm I got a second wind.
I go on Wednesday to do my annual skills and I will stop by my director's office and discuss future weekends but will try both days. Yes it will be hard but I did help to just get back into the job. I think the longer I stayed out the more anxious and guilty and for leaving my team short. Of course they all were gracious and ask me if I needed help with anything (I took them up on it several times)!!!
Thank you all of you who have helped me here understand I'm not alone and there is life after PEs. Definitely there's a different life where I'm more aware but more gracious of my body and listen to it. For now I am not trying anymore treatments for my migraines and coming off all preventatives. Will do more exercise and diet modifications. Will be seeing my hematologist on Feb. 1st and will update.

I'm so happy for you that your coworkers were supportive and that going back helped you. Really proud of you for trying to make a go of it!