Now what do I do? Someone slap me PLEASE!

[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

[phylly]

When I was having so many problems with my prodiscs I knew after many consultations that I really did not want to fuse over them. Half (2) of the doctors wanted to do that and half (2) wanted to remove them and then fuse. They felt that taking them out would give me a better chance of healing. The other surgeons felt that trying to take them out would be life threatening and did not want to try. I knew the surgery was risky but I trusted my surgeon even though he did not have quantity in his favor. I had already gone to the quantity surgeon twice with bad results. I know most others would not have done what I did and I hope that I did the right thing. Now at almost 7 weeks post fusion and can do more with less pain than the past two years. I am early in the process but feel good and my back hardly hurts unless I am on my feet standing still for hours. I still have some leg pain but not as severe as before. I have been able to sit in the car for an hour and just went away for the weekend for the first time in ages.

I hope that you are able to travel to see someone who can help you. It is not right that you are spending your life in bed and in so much pain. If you have a non-union fusion perhaps you can still take the discs out??? I hope that you can get some answers.
Phylly

[kc0iet]

I did try to contact the school again. This time I sent an email to the ADA person. I have heard NOTHING! Nothing from the school, nothing from the doctors, NOTHING!

I am willing to travel, but unfortunately I do not have any way to come up with the needed funds for Dr. B (never can spell or say his name!) in Germany. I am now on Medicare and Medicaid, but that is about it. Missouri now makes you pay for Medicaid! My spenddown was just raised to $108 per month. Apparently my $904 a month is too much money! But I guess the good news is I just got a letter that my food stamps are being increased to $14 per month! WHOOP EEE! I have one credit card left that I can use for this, but there is not enough to pay Dr. B

The Lyrica has helped the pain, but combined with everything else I am really drowsy and loopy. My vision is blurry too. I was trying to read my assignments in the text but it is just a blur.

Oh, forgot to mention. The staff at the school have never met me. I am an online student. The campus is approximately 90 miles from here.

Phylly, I am so glad to hear that you are doing well. That is FANTASTIC! I am sincerely happy for you! I was looking at Dr. B's website last night. Just makes me want to cry that I don't have a rich uncle or something that would give me the money to go to him and let him fix my back, without loosing the motion in my back. He offers so many solutions that are not available here...

I have been trying all day to work on my school work, and I have not managed to complete on single thing!

Well, I hope this makes scene, I am kind of out of it today.

Thank you all again for your support. It is appreciated.

[Terry Allen Blackburn]

I'm glad the Lyrica is helping for you. I found it to be a wonder drug and was on it for almost a year and a half and got up to 400 mg per day. It helped a great deal. The fact that you are an online student should not matter. You are still paying hard earned money that they are accepting to provide you with an education. I would keep calling up the ranks until you get someone to speak to you. Please keep us informed.

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.

[dshobbies]

Accomplishing anything while in great pain is difficult enough but graduating with a 4.0 is a magical feat. Much congrats. You've earned it and deserve it.

You have a lot to be proud of. Dale

[Justin]

Awesome news on the waiver! That is summa cum laude in my book!

Undergrad: Check
Doctorate in Law: In-progress

Now, you get to focus on your health--what a relief. Well done.

[Kathy]

Congratulations!