May 8, 2025 • 11 mins
In this episode, Adam shares the beginning of his journey of navigating surgery and the impending time off the flight deck. He discusses the challenges of handling future disability paperwork and the reinstatement process, shedding light on the role of union support and company policies. Adam also delves into effective recovery strategies and pain management techniques that aided his return. Emphasizing the importance of support networks and family, he encourages listeners to seek help when needed. The episode wraps up with Adam's final thoughts and contact information, offering a supportive message to those facing similar challenges.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:17):
Hey.
Hey, network.
What's going on?
It's Adam again.
I am recording live from my recliner right now.
My little handheld mic in my good hand.
I had shoulder surgery on Friday, and I wantedto give you all an update and kinda talk you
through the process that we're going throughbecause, yeah, we've all had medical events and
(00:40):
stuff like that.
Some of us when we were in the military, someof us before we were pilots, like when we were
kids.
But as a 40 mid a mid aged or a 40 year old manwho's going through a pretty major procedure,
which I guess I didn't really think it like Iknew it was I knew it was important, but I
(01:03):
didn't think it was like as major as it is.
You'd have a different perspective and alsosome of the logistical things.
So upfront, so my airline, it's pretty easy.
You kind of just let your sick leave run outbefore you go on disability and then you have
to file your disability paperwork.
(01:29):
Like, I'll be doing that probably tomorrow withthe help of my wife because I can't really
type.
I mean, one handed, but it'll take forever.
So that's kind of, that's kind of the logisticspart of it's actually pretty easy.
Now when I come out on the other side of thisand I have to do a reinstatement, which I have
no idea how long it's gonna take because therewas, no complications in the surgery, which is
(01:53):
good.
But they did have to do an added part of theprocedure which they weren't thinking they were
gonna have to do and that will take somesignificantly longer healing time.
And the funny part is it's probably the mostpainful part right now.
So that's kind of interesting.
So yeah, that's the logistical part.
It's not too crazy.
(02:15):
It's actually fairly simple.
My guess is all carriers are very similar,unionized carriers who have a sick leave
policy.
It's all something quite similar in the same.
One thing that you can do is go directly toeither your council rep.
My council rep and I are very good friends,plus he had a similar situation happened to him
(02:38):
with a pretty massive shoulder injury and hadto get fixed.
So it was we have a lot in common on that andare able to discuss it it pretty pretty freely.
So that's kind of nice.
And he went through the process that I'm goingthrough right now.
So it's really easy to get the logistics andhow to do it from him.
Alright.
(02:59):
So number, the second piece of that is yourunion should have a medical committee.
They can help you through all of this stuff andthey're very, very good.
They're they're very responsive to I I knowwhen I've worked with the union before, they're
very responsive and very helpful.
So especially on needs of this matter.
(03:20):
On to the kind of the next piece of this.
So I've been told and I tend to believe that mycompany doesn't want you to come back too
early.
Like it's not really a rush to get you back onthe line because they don't want you to
reinjure whatever you have or get or have asickness flare up or whatever because training
costs more second time around and all that goodstuff than if you just healed up at home and
(03:46):
you came back when you're truly 100%.
Now, some of us, that's tough because one, weget stir crazy.
Two, we know we can make more money going outand flying the line, flying premium.
And three, there's it's flying.
You know?
It's a it's a good job.
(04:07):
We love our jobs.
Most of us at least really like our job.
And it's tough to be out.
You go, you get kind of the walls, you kind ofclimb up the walls when you're at home for too
long, especially if you're just sitting around.
So I can see where that might be a problem inthe future for me.
And that's why I'll stay busy doing TPN stuff.
I mean, this isn't too hard.
(04:28):
I can drop a few words in here.
I don't know how we're gonna edit it all upwith one hand operative, but we'll figure it
out.
So, yeah, that's that's kinda some of the stuffthat's going through my head and going through.
Now as far as the actual procedure, now I won'tget into too many details.
One, because I know some people are kinda get alittle woozy or makes them a little that icky
(04:54):
feeling, and I understand that.
So we'll we'll avoid some of that.
But I do want to give some heads up on thingsthat I've learned already.
So one is nerve blocks are amazing untilthey're not.
And then when they stop blocking the nerve, theonset of pain is pretty steady.
(05:16):
It's not like light speed, but fairly fast.
And it's when it's fully back, it is a real asskicker.
So be ready for that if you ever have a nerveblock.
So imagine like dental work with Novocainemultiply it by like 10.
(05:37):
It's it's pretty it's pretty bad and it happensnormally in the middle of the night.
That's what happened for me.
It was not fun.
I was I thought I was up keeping up with mypain medication and I'm pretty sure I was.
I don't think my body handles narcotics verywell, so I don't think it really did much for
the pain.
(05:57):
However, just over the counter ibuprofen seemsto do the trick for me, so that's that's what
I'll be taking nonstop for the next severaldays, maybe weeks to get this acute pain to
subside.
The second part is the support network, andthis is probably the biggest and most important
(06:20):
piece.
So I can my wife about this.
If we lived in a different city, in a base, faraway from family, this would be so much more
difficult with two young children to be able tomaneuver through this initial weekend.
Neither of us got any sleep last night.
I mean, I think I fell asleep at, like, 04:35in the morning, and then it was off and on
(06:43):
until about nine.
And then she was up with me here and there.
She had helped me do certain things.
Just she was very concerned.
You know, you're in a lot of pain.
It's nauseated.
You're, you know, you're you're coming out ofanesthesia, all that stuff.
So it's it's not a good, it's not a good mix.
And to have that support system is trulyamazing.
(07:05):
I can't thank her enough.
For those of you who've met her at TPNx or seenher with me, she is truly the foundation of
this house and the only reason that I have anymodicum of success in my life, and that is
period dot end of story.
With that all said, we have to thank the othermembers of our family.
(07:27):
My in laws have been watching our children,which has been humongous because like I said,
if we lived in a different base, I just don'tknow how we could get through this initial
weekend with two young kids.
It would be really hard.
We would have to have a really good networkbuilt into wherever we were going to live and
(07:50):
then see what like, see how that unfolds forweekend help, you know, like nanny sleepover
babysitter.
And I know with some of our salaries, we can wecan afford that stuff.
But see if some people don't necessarily wantor, you know, require that in their life on the
regular basis.
(08:12):
And I don't know how you would set that up in ashort term situation.
So I wanna thank my in laws a ton and it itmeans the world living here close to them.
Yep.
So I am going to get going now because the painis starting to ramp up just a little bit.
And to be honest, it's a little exhausting justchitchatting here.
(08:36):
Surgery is not a fun option, but it was theonly option.
So I can actually get back to sleeping normaland not being not feeling like I was fighting a
battle that I was never gonna win with thissilly shoulder and that had been around for a
long time.
It just kept getting worse.
So, I'll leave you with saying this.
(08:57):
If you have an injury, take care of yourself.
Get, get, go see your doctor, get it fixed.
Don't tough it out.
And this really goes for the military guys.
We never wanted to go to NIF for flying.
I get it.
I was, I remember those days.
Go get yourself fixed.
(09:20):
Go get yourself right.
Because if you're right physically, you'llstart feeling you'll feel really right mentally
and just be in a happier place.
You'll be able to enjoy life a little bit more.
And it's okay.
Like, it's okay to ask for help.
It's it's okay to ask for help, medical orotherwise.
I know that I'm gonna need more support as thisas the PT portion of this kicks off.
(09:43):
I mean, I can't move my arm at all right now.
So I know that this is gonna be a long road,and I wanna get I wanna nail it.
I wanna come back better than I was before Istarted.
That's the whole plan.
And then that's what I want for everybody inthe network.
That's why I'm trying to pay this forward.
So hopefully, this inspires or not inspiresbecause I'm not trying to be an inspirational
(10:06):
figure.
I'm trying to be an informational figure.
This informs somebody to go take care ofsomething they've they've got going on or gets
them set up in the right place, going the rightway so they don't have to worry about the money
and the disability and all that other stuff.
And also just a shout out to my my wonderfulfamily support system that are helping me out
(10:29):
and, and keeping me sane and solid.
Anyways, as we always say at the Pilot Network,keep that shiny side up and the greasy side
down.
Oh, if you need to contact me or, or Matt, it'sup at heyguys@thepilotnetwork.com.
If you got any comments about this episode orquestions, reach out at
heyguys@thepilotnetwork.com.
(10:49):
You can also DM me on TBN Pro.
I'll be happy to get back to you, and we canchat if you got any specific questions about
how to handle situation that you're goingthrough.
Same thing.
Now for the closer.
Keep that shiny side up, greasy side down.
Fly safe, everybody.
Hey.
Hey, network.
What's going on?
It's Adam again.
I am recording live from my recliner right now.
My little handheld mic in my good hand.
I had shoulder surgery on Friday, and I wantedto give you all an update and kinda talk you
through the process that we're going throughbecause, yeah, we've all had medical events and
(00:40):
stuff like that.
Some of us when we were in the military, someof us before we were pilots, like when we were
kids.
But as a 40 mid a mid aged or a 40 year old manwho's going through a pretty major procedure,
which I guess I didn't really think it like Iknew it was I knew it was important, but I
(01:03):
didn't think it was like as major as it is.
You'd have a different perspective and alsosome of the logistical things.
So upfront, so my airline, it's pretty easy.
You kind of just let your sick leave run outbefore you go on disability and then you have
to file your disability paperwork.
(01:29):
Like, I'll be doing that probably tomorrow withthe help of my wife because I can't really
type.
I mean, one handed, but it'll take forever.
So that's kind of, that's kind of the logisticspart of it's actually pretty easy.
Now when I come out on the other side of thisand I have to do a reinstatement, which I have
no idea how long it's gonna take because therewas, no complications in the surgery, which is
(01:53):
good.
But they did have to do an added part of theprocedure which they weren't thinking they were
gonna have to do and that will take somesignificantly longer healing time.
And the funny part is it's probably the mostpainful part right now.
So that's kind of interesting.
So yeah, that's the logistical part.
It's not too crazy.
(02:15):
It's actually fairly simple.
My guess is all carriers are very similar,unionized carriers who have a sick leave
policy.
It's all something quite similar in the same.
One thing that you can do is go directly toeither your council rep.
My council rep and I are very good friends,plus he had a similar situation happened to him
(02:38):
with a pretty massive shoulder injury and hadto get fixed.
So it was we have a lot in common on that andare able to discuss it it pretty pretty freely.
So that's kind of nice.
And he went through the process that I'm goingthrough right now.
So it's really easy to get the logistics andhow to do it from him.
Alright.
(02:59):
So number, the second piece of that is yourunion should have a medical committee.
They can help you through all of this stuff andthey're very, very good.
They're they're very responsive to I I knowwhen I've worked with the union before, they're
very responsive and very helpful.
So especially on needs of this matter.
(03:20):
On to the kind of the next piece of this.
So I've been told and I tend to believe that mycompany doesn't want you to come back too
early.
Like it's not really a rush to get you back onthe line because they don't want you to
reinjure whatever you have or get or have asickness flare up or whatever because training
costs more second time around and all that goodstuff than if you just healed up at home and
(03:46):
you came back when you're truly 100%.
Now, some of us, that's tough because one, weget stir crazy.
Two, we know we can make more money going outand flying the line, flying premium.
And three, there's it's flying.
You know?
It's a it's a good job.
(04:07):
We love our jobs.
Most of us at least really like our job.
And it's tough to be out.
You go, you get kind of the walls, you kind ofclimb up the walls when you're at home for too
long, especially if you're just sitting around.
So I can see where that might be a problem inthe future for me.
And that's why I'll stay busy doing TPN stuff.
I mean, this isn't too hard.
(04:28):
I can drop a few words in here.
I don't know how we're gonna edit it all upwith one hand operative, but we'll figure it
out.
So, yeah, that's that's kinda some of the stuffthat's going through my head and going through.
Now as far as the actual procedure, now I won'tget into too many details.
One, because I know some people are kinda get alittle woozy or makes them a little that icky
(04:54):
feeling, and I understand that.
So we'll we'll avoid some of that.
But I do want to give some heads up on thingsthat I've learned already.
So one is nerve blocks are amazing untilthey're not.
And then when they stop blocking the nerve, theonset of pain is pretty steady.
(05:16):
It's not like light speed, but fairly fast.
And it's when it's fully back, it is a real asskicker.
So be ready for that if you ever have a nerveblock.
So imagine like dental work with Novocainemultiply it by like 10.
(05:37):
It's it's pretty it's pretty bad and it happensnormally in the middle of the night.
That's what happened for me.
It was not fun.
I was I thought I was up keeping up with mypain medication and I'm pretty sure I was.
I don't think my body handles narcotics verywell, so I don't think it really did much for
the pain.
(05:57):
However, just over the counter ibuprofen seemsto do the trick for me, so that's that's what
I'll be taking nonstop for the next severaldays, maybe weeks to get this acute pain to
subside.
The second part is the support network, andthis is probably the biggest and most important
(06:20):
piece.
So I can my wife about this.
If we lived in a different city, in a base, faraway from family, this would be so much more
difficult with two young children to be able tomaneuver through this initial weekend.
Neither of us got any sleep last night.
I mean, I think I fell asleep at, like, 04:35in the morning, and then it was off and on
(06:43):
until about nine.
And then she was up with me here and there.
She had helped me do certain things.
Just she was very concerned.
You know, you're in a lot of pain.
It's nauseated.
You're, you know, you're you're coming out ofanesthesia, all that stuff.
So it's it's not a good, it's not a good mix.
And to have that support system is trulyamazing.
(07:05):
I can't thank her enough.
For those of you who've met her at TPNx or seenher with me, she is truly the foundation of
this house and the only reason that I have anymodicum of success in my life, and that is
period dot end of story.
With that all said, we have to thank the othermembers of our family.
(07:27):
My in laws have been watching our children,which has been humongous because like I said,
if we lived in a different base, I just don'tknow how we could get through this initial
weekend with two young kids.
It would be really hard.
We would have to have a really good networkbuilt into wherever we were going to live and
(07:50):
then see what like, see how that unfolds forweekend help, you know, like nanny sleepover
babysitter.
And I know with some of our salaries, we can wecan afford that stuff.
But see if some people don't necessarily wantor, you know, require that in their life on the
regular basis.
(08:12):
And I don't know how you would set that up in ashort term situation.
So I wanna thank my in laws a ton and it itmeans the world living here close to them.
Yep.
So I am going to get going now because the painis starting to ramp up just a little bit.
And to be honest, it's a little exhausting justchitchatting here.
(08:36):
Surgery is not a fun option, but it was theonly option.
So I can actually get back to sleeping normaland not being not feeling like I was fighting a
battle that I was never gonna win with thissilly shoulder and that had been around for a
long time.
It just kept getting worse.
So, I'll leave you with saying this.
(08:57):
If you have an injury, take care of yourself.
Get, get, go see your doctor, get it fixed.
Don't tough it out.
And this really goes for the military guys.
We never wanted to go to NIF for flying.
I get it.
I was, I remember those days.
Go get yourself fixed.
(09:20):
Go get yourself right.
Because if you're right physically, you'llstart feeling you'll feel really right mentally
and just be in a happier place.
You'll be able to enjoy life a little bit more.
And it's okay.
Like, it's okay to ask for help.
It's it's okay to ask for help, medical orotherwise.
I know that I'm gonna need more support as thisas the PT portion of this kicks off.
(09:43):
I mean, I can't move my arm at all right now.
So I know that this is gonna be a long road,and I wanna get I wanna nail it.
I wanna come back better than I was before Istarted.
That's the whole plan.
And then that's what I want for everybody inthe network.
That's why I'm trying to pay this forward.
So hopefully, this inspires or not inspiresbecause I'm not trying to be an inspirational
(10:06):
figure.
I'm trying to be an informational figure.
This informs somebody to go take care ofsomething they've they've got going on or gets
them set up in the right place, going the rightway so they don't have to worry about the money
and the disability and all that other stuff.
And also just a shout out to my my wonderfulfamily support system that are helping me out
(10:29):
and, and keeping me sane and solid.
Anyways, as we always say at the Pilot Network,keep that shiny side up and the greasy side
down.
Oh, if you need to contact me or, or Matt, it'sup at heyguys@thepilotnetwork.com.
If you got any comments about this episode orquestions, reach out at
heyguys@thepilotnetwork.com.
(10:49):
You can also DM me on TBN Pro.
I'll be happy to get back to you, and we canchat if you got any specific questions about
how to handle situation that you're goingthrough.
Same thing.
Now for the closer.
Keep that shiny side up, greasy side down.
Fly safe, everybody.
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