Now what do I do? Someone slap me PLEASE!

[kc0iet]

Thank you all so much for the replies!

Kathy,
I have read your posts too, how are your doing? Thank you for your kind words, but I just don't know how I CAN do this right now. I have no doubt that I WILL finish my degree at some point, but for now I am afraid I am screwed. I have never given up on anything, but I just don't know how I can possible continue in my current state. WAIT! I just thought of a way! If someone would come and cut me in half, just below the ribs, then they could throw out the pain, then I could continue!

I thank you for your prayers and your reply.

dshobbies,
I assure you I have tried everything I can. Ice does not help the pain, it does cool me down, but that's about it. I have an internal SCS but it causes additional chest and thoracic pain. I have not tried an inversion table in some time. I did get one and it seemed to aggravate things so it is out in the shed. The one thing that sometimes helps is a hot bath, but that will have to wait until my home health aid arrives this evening. Getting me out of bed and into (and out of) the tub is an ordeal all in itself! I always feel like I am imposing when I ask for that service on days when it is not scheduled. My aide is great and I'm sure she will if I ask, but the last couple of times that has caused spasms!

Phylly, I have read your posts. How are you doing? Thanks for the reply!! I am an online student. My classroom is my bed. I live in the middle of nowhere in Missouri, a tiny little town with a population of 297. The nearest hospital is nothing more than a band-aid station. Seriously. Back in 1996 I broke my foot and they did not have the facilities to put on a cast!

Dr. J., 4.0 in Bio-Chem, WOW! Tough major, my hat is off to you, congrats. I contacted the school last week to let them know of my 'medical emergency' and I have heard nothing. Class just started Monday. It is very frustrating, theses last two classes are electives. I already have 132.2 semester credit hours. All requirements for my major and minor have been met EXCEPT the college requirement of 39 UL credit hours with the school. I was hoping that they would waive these last two courses and let me graduate... I am still within the time frame that I can drop the courses with a 'W' and take them later, but not if I am to graduate in May.

I was on track to enter Law School, but there is no way if I don't get my back fixed. I was hoping to make it until May and then have surgery, recovery and still be on track for Law School. But if I don't graduate in May then this could be a problem. But, I suppose my bigger problem is that I don't have a surgeon! Prior to Feb. / March of this year I was able to get up and out in my wheelchair for a few hours (most days). Now I can't even do that.

Quitting has never been in my vocabulary. I am so frustrated! I know there is no way that I can maintain my GPA for these last two courses with my current pain levels.

Thanks Again for all your replies and support!

[Justin]

kc0iet,

Just so you know...I wasn't trying to "toot" my own horn, but give you an example that it can be done--I know you CAN do it!

Are you able to talk to someone in person about your situation? I would do everything you can to avoid "W's" and see if you can get "Incompletes"--they should be willing to do this concerning your situation. If you do get W's, it's not the end of the world (you would just have to repeat the entire course). However, with an Incomplete you would just start off where you left off.

I'm just now reading that you started class last week, so the W's wouldn't be so bad. Definitely talk to someone though--I know they will be sympathetic.

By the way, I am "deteriorating" very fast as of late. I'm think I am going to need surgery really soon. My meds are no longer working, and it's just been very difficult all around.

LAW SCHOOL--I think you should still do it. You sound like a great student and I know your personal statement on applications would be unique to say the least.

Never give up on your dreams!

I'm pulling for you!

PS Even if you have to apply a year later to get things straightened out with your spine, I wouldn't think twice. Good luck with everything!

Originally Posted by kc0iet

Dr. J., 4.0 in Bio-Chem, WOW! Tough major, my hat is off to you, congrats. I contacted the school last week to let them know of my 'medical emergency' and I have heard nothing. Class just started Monday. It is very frustrating, theses last two classes are electives. I already have 132.2 semester credit hours. All requirements for my major and minor have been met EXCEPT the college requirement of 39 UL credit hours with the school. I was hoping that they would waive these last two courses and let me graduate... I am still within the time frame that I can drop the courses with a 'W' and take them later, but not if I am to graduate in May.

I was on track to enter Law School, but there is no way if I don't get my back fixed. I was hoping to make it until May and then have surgery, recovery and still be on track for Law School. But if I don't graduate in May then this could be a problem. But, I suppose my bigger problem is that I don't have a surgeon! Prior to Feb. / March of this year I was able to get up and out in my wheelchair for a few hours (most days). Now I can't even do that.

Quitting has never been in my vocabulary. I am so frustrated! I know there is no way that I can maintain my GPA for these last two courses with my current pain levels.

Thanks Again for all your replies and support!

[Kathy]

I honestly don't know how you have made it this far. It is amazing to me that you have been able to get this far. Don't give up, you can do this. You are obviously a fighter, this will happen.... maybe it will take an extra year; but it will happen.
Unfortunately, our spines are not 'on board' with our time frame and schedules. I really, really, really want another child. I have crazy bad baby fever. I had 'planned' (funny how God laughs at our plans, like we have any control ) to have a 3rd child 2 years after my second child. Which means I would have a 1 year old according to my plan. I am now 3 years out, have agreed to not get pregnant for 2 more years because of the clinical trial; so we will see. It will be at least a 6 year difference in age between the second and hopefully 3rd one. My husband is 37 and will be 40 by the time we could even have a 3rd, not sure he will be on board by then. I just have to trust and have faith in God that His timing is better than mine and His plans for me are way more than I could even begin to dream up. I know it may seem whiny to be complaining, since I already have 2 wonderful children and some people have none. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to get married and be a stay at home mom. When I was 5, I was having 20 kids. Then, I went down to 10 kids by age 12, by 20 it was 5 or 6. When I got married, at 22, it was 4 or 5 kids. Then, I had 1 and said let's take it 1 kid at a time I just can't imagine never holding a newborn of my own again (that I get to keep and take home; not that I don't enjoy holding others babies... I just want to keep them). Anyway, I say all that to say that God has a wonderful plan for your life. Even though it may seem like it will never get better, you will. Also, I would get on anti-depressants. I didn't want to at first; but I feel oh so much better with them. Initally, the Cymbalta got rid of almost all my pain. I was in pt at the time and I think that something they had me do made me worse; because after about 4 weeks of no or little pain, the pain was back with avengeace.
Feel free to vent on us, we have ALL been there and will probably all be there again. It is hard living in pain, it's not fair, and it sucks; but this is the hand we were dealt.
Thanks for asking about how I was doing, I am really good. I am still very tense and stiff; but each day is a little better than the last. I look forward to one day looking back on this as a distant memory. I HAVE learned and grown so much by going through this and honestly, if I had the ability to not go through it and erase it all or not, I would go through it again. My charachter and person have been forever changed by dealing with pain. I am a much more empathetic, patient, loving person, and I have become a fighter, my own advocate, more self-esteem in knowing I can do so much, all because of what I have been through. I am sure everyone on here can think of good that has come out of this. I would love to hear ways that this experience has changed you for the better!
Still praying for you, remember it is ok to cry out to God, it's ok to be mad, talk to Him, he listens and remember....
"If you think I have forgotten you, I haven't" Signed, God
"When the whole world walks out on you, Jesus walks in"
Kathy

[kc0iet]

Thanks Kathy!
You should be a motivational speaker!

I dug out my Lyrica, that I had stopped taking when studying for the LSAT, and it seems to have helped; at least for tonight :- ) I did finish the two asignments that were due at midnight, with two hours to spare!

I guess all any of us can do is take it one day at a time.

Thanks for your continued prayers. I am glad to hear you are doing so well. I can remember when I had my original ADR surgery and for a few months the pain was gone and I was a real person. I continue to pray that my spine can be repaired and I can be rid of my chair and my narcotics.

Thanks Again

[mmglobal]

Wow, KC, I'm so sorry that things have gotten so bad. I hope that you'll find some relief soon. I've had clients who have gotten AMAZING support from their schools. Not only relief from the stress with being able to take finals late and other acommodations, but also counseling that was very helpful too.

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said by others here. I just want to say thank to kc for coming and sharing your story that will help many others. Also, thanks for allowing us the privilege of being able to provide some support and understanding. Thanks to the community for doing what you do... you rock!

Mark

[Justin]

Originally Posted by mmglobal

Wow, KC, I'm so sorry that things have gotten so bad. I hope that you'll find some relief soon. I've had clients who have gotten AMAZING support from their schools. Not only relief from the stress with being able to take finals late and other acommodations, but also counseling that was very helpful too.

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said by others here. I just want to say thank to kc for coming and sharing your story that will help many others. Also, thanks for allowing us the privilege of being able to provide some support and understanding. Thanks to the community for doing what you do... you rock!

Mark

Mark, brings up a very good point. My school has been extremely supportive about my current spine issues. I would look into special accommodations for examinations as well as any other school related support you may need. Your university should have a Disability Services office (I've personally had a very good experience with Disability Services at my school).

Congrats on finishing the assignments with time to spare! What courses are you taking by the way?...just curious. Your chair and narcotics will be a distant memory soon. Keep up the good work, lawyer.

[Terry Allen Blackburn]

Justin brings up an extremely valid issue, your school has an obligation to take care of you, to an extent. They are interested in your success, as you reflect back to them, the quality of education they provided and, that you participated in. They have assistance programs to help you succeed and it sounds like you have to become more assertive. I am ex-military so, when I went to college no one messed with me as, I did not allow it. I had spent three years in the service before my college years. If a professor started giving me some trouble I let them know, under no uncertain terms, that I was paying for their salary. Please do not give up as the goal line is almost there. Continue to call them until someone responds to your concerns.

You sound like an amazing person with a huge future ahead of you. We will support you in this process.

Terry Newton

[kc0iet]

Just wanted to post an update.

I think I remember that someone asked me if it was possible to go to the school in person. Well, no not really. It is approximately 100 miles one way and by the time I got there and went through the go here, go there, go somewhere else, I would be in so much pain that I wouldn't be able to present my case and would still have to drive the 100 miles home.

HOWEVER, I have been presenting my case via email and facsimile up the chain all week. I don't remember if I posted that I had requested a waiver of the institutional requirement that would allow me to drop the two elective courses that stand between me and graduation. With much persistence, presenting my request all the way to the Executive Dean of Academic Affairs... (drum roll please) my waiver was approved!!

I feel like half of the weight has been taken off of my shoulders! This means that I have completed my Bachelors Degree! The disadvantage is that I will not get the Suma Cum Laude recognition (just short of the institutional credit hours requirement), but I have completed my undergraduate studies with a 4.0 GPA - 132.2 semester credit hours!

Now I can truly focus on my health and getting my back fixed so that I can continue with my goal of obtaining my Doctorate in Law. It seems like it has been a long time since I have had good new to share so I thought I would pass it along.

[treefrog]

Congratulations!! That is indeed good news. Thanks for sharing it with us.