How long were you off work after ADR surgery?

[treefrog]

Jess, just because your last surgery wasn't all that you were hoping for, does not mean the same thing will happen this time. Obviously the laminectomy did not address everything that was going on, and that's unfortunate. I have great faith that Dr. Bertagnoli will do the best surgery for you, and me, and that we will be feeling so much better in no time. He is the worlds best surgeon for ADR surgery, I trust him completely.

Since you have been able to keep working through this, you are more likely to have a better outcome (according to a research article I read), than someone who is no longer able to work before surgery. This, and the fact that Dr. B. has done thousands of these surgeries gives me hope. As I think they are the most important factors to a good outcome.

Have you talked to your doctor about your anxiety and stress? Maybe they can give you something to help with that.

I have been having some short bouts of anxiety, but so far they haven't lasted longer than a few hours. There are things that are beyond my control, and I will try to do whatever I can to make sure things get done in time. But if they don't, they don't and hopefully there will be a way to work around it.

I guess I am lazy at heart, because I am looking forward to not working for a couple of months. Although I am afraid I won't have the discipline to walk every day, or push myself to walk further each day. But I hope that I will, and that I will want to come back to work at some point.

The most frightening thing for me, is thinking about the post-op pain. I am so worried they won't have my pain controlled adequately, or that the meds they give me will make me nauseated, or both. And the next most frightening thing is the pain and discomfort I may have on such long flights, both going over and coming back. I don't like pain, and will do everything in my power not to hurt myself, so you can imagine how much I want this surgery to work.

Have you talked to your employer yet, about the likelihood that you will be out longer than you expected? Maybe they will surprise you with their understanding. At least I hope that talking with them, will ease your mind about it.

[jessmith07]

Gee...is my anxiety disorder THAT noticeable??? I've been taking meds for this for years!!! Maybe it's time to up the dose...

As far as my employer goes, I work for a great company, and we're like family around here, so I know my job will be here. Plus, there's quite a bit I can do from home, and when I need to, I can come in for a couple of hours if I need to put my hands of a file. Oh, did I mention we have a nap room? No, really, I'm not kidding...although somethimes you have to fight the owner for it...

And you'd think I wouldn't be so afraid of pain, but I am...I've had three BIG, HEALTHY babies...the last one was 9.5 pounds. I remember when I was pregnant, during an "exam", as I'm squirming, and saying "OUCH!!!", the doctor looks at me and says, straight-faced, "How'd you ever hold still long enough to get pregnant?" I said, equally straight-faced, "Well, THAT part didn't HURT!!!"

Time to go pick up kids...

[Cheryl]

Hi Jess,

I about had a nervous breakdown prior to going to Dr. B last year. I was taking extra muscle relaxers just to calm down. There is so much to think about its crazy.

I would not have been able to work full time until 4-6 months post op if that. (I've only gone back part time and it was much later because I now have neck problems unrelated to surgery.)

Hopefully you will have a short speedy recovery. Mine was long, painful, lots of bumps but finally at a bit over a year, I often forget I ever had a low back problem.

I felt that Dr. F-M underestimated the healing time for instance I asked how long I would need help with my kids who are younger than yours and she said 6 weeks. NO WAY, I needed 4-5 months of help. And I consider myself to be pretty hardcore meaning I do more than I should, do whatever it takes but this was REALLY challenging.

It sounds like you have some flexibility and this may be the time in your life that you need to use it.

You are going to the best and as such you are going to get your best result possible.


Cheryl

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