So this is Big E's second week back at work.
His ankle seems to be holding up well, and his stamina is returning. The adjustment, after being off work for 3 1/2 weeks is going as smoothly as it could.
Having a spouse at home, when they shouldn't be, is not an easy thing. On the surface, one might think, "Oh, it would be like vacation time!" But, it isn't. Between the stress of the incident, the pain of the injury, the physical therapy, the irritation that comes from being displaced, and the upheaval of everyone's schedule, disability leave can be a recipe for animosity and a feeling of distance (to put it mildly).
The sad fact is that Big E has spent more than 19 months (cumulatively) of his 14 years at work on disability. That time reflects his GSW, two bouts of pneumonia, a couple of dog bites, and various other injuries. None of that time was fun. None of it was easy. There was a whole lot of pain, frustration, stress, rage, night sweats, and grumpiness experienced in those periods of non-work.
I've often wished that there was a chance for a vacation break between recovery and reentry to work. (Big E spent the girls' Spring Break going between doctor's visits and physical therapy.)
So. As part of our aftercare, we are planning a couple of quick getaways together.
There won't be anything extravagant or flashy,
just a night away, here and there, without the kids, so we can be together as a couple.