Latest Update on my wife: November 14th - new thread

David, I am so sorry to read that your wife's pain is worsening rather than improving.  I wish I knew some recommendation to make to help fast track her case.  I will continue to pray that someone/something will do something to get her thep she so obviosly needs.  Worker's Comp can be a blessing- and a curse as you said.  I wish the insurance business in the country would stop trying to micromanage the medical community!!! 

Please try to remember to take care of yourself, too.  I really do know how hard that is to do.  It is so easy to put yourself on the back burner until you wind up in a crisis situation, too.  (going through a bit of that myself right now). 

By the way, we didn't hear back from hubby's PSA on Friday like we thought we would.  He's more than a bit nervous now.  Have to wait until Monday.  At least he has the Panther's game to distract him tomorrow. 

I saw that someone explained that STYX is a band from the 1970s-1980s.  Their concert was great and provided a needed distraction, too. 

I hope tonight and tomorrow are not as bad for your wife as you are anticipating. 

Prayers continue for you both. 

In SC, WC does quite a bit for work-related injuries. It will cover all medical treatments, any surgeries, any meds, doctor visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, wheel chairs or other devices, a certain amount of home care, 55 cents per mile driving to appts, and .666 of my wife's lost wages up to 500 weeks out from the time of her injury. The money were we out prior to the WC claim, i.e. ER visit, prior meds, will also be re-imbursed to us. Her employer is being 100% compliant and cooperative about this being a WC claim, as her injury occured plainly on the job, with a solid witness who already made a statement to the facts of the case, and there was no evidence of any pre-existing injury in the same area. Fortunately, she had a MRI done exactly two years to the day of the most recent MRI. The older MRI showed no evidence of an existing problem in the same area, more medical proof, that this injury happened exactly on the day that it did. This makes processing WC a whole lot easier. Her new MRI is very darning as to the severity of damage that was done.

WC varies a whole bunch state by state, but that is how it is done here in SC

david

David,
You might have your wife try a TENS unit, see how that works. That can be used at night too.

Good thoughts and luck for tomorrow - like many on here, hoping for answers with reasonable treatment options.

As I mentioned somewhere else in this thread, SC has made huge improvements in WC over the years. When I first moved here in 1988, SC was ranked the worse in the nation as far as allowing fake WC claims. I know, I use to spend endless hours in Columbia fighting WC cases on behalf of employers, and in almost 100% of the time, even with video tape evidence, the "victim" always won. It's not like that anymore. They have eliminated much of the fraud and streamlined the system. It also depends how cooperative and willing the employer is.

In this case, the director of my wife's facilty, has taken on the role of being the advocate for her, between her firm and WC, and is the sole contact person. THey realized that it was 100% a legitimate WC case, and are doing everything possible to make this work. They realize that all she wants to do it get well as soon as possible and return to work. She is a valued asset to them, and they have a lot of money and time invested in her nine years on the job.

This neurosurgeon is already on the WC approved list, even though the appointment was made through Blue Cross. Blue Cross already approved it, so we don't really care who pays for what in the end. This is better than her laying around in bed for weeks to come, hoping to see a doctor. THis way, a treatment plan and procedures can begin as soon as tommorow. He is considered the best of the best, of the limited neuro surgeons in our area. Just read tonight, he's had over 50 papers published himself.

We can only hope for the best. The physical toll on me is really gathering steam, but I have no choice but to keep pushing and pushing myself.

david

Keep moving forward. Towards that appointment with the neuro. That was the thing I wished I had done for my wife when she was in so much pain...pushing to see the doctor sooner.

Thought I'd log on and see how you're doing...Guess I just caught your last update.

I read a letter written by my aunt...she had back surgery recently. Same symptoms as your wife...pain, leg weakness, some numbness, etc. Her surgeon told her the exact same thing as your wife's surgeon, get it done otherwise you'll risk permanent nerve damage...she had her surgery about a month ago...she's doing pretty well, went through rehab etc. She lives alone.

I don't think she was in nearly as much pain...She complained of progressively worsening back pain with leg numbness and weakness...she also said her leg would give out. When I read her letter, it sounded very similar to your wife, sans the severe pain.

David, how nice that you moved Peg's sewing stuff into your office.  She is in our thoughts and prayers.  May the operation be successful and the recovery complete!  After Ron's surgery, he had to were this bulky neck brace (C-5, 6 & 7).  I think I mentioned he slept in his Lazy Boy as recommended by his surgeon.  His recovery took months, but then he had severe injury.  May Peg's not be like that.

You are a good husband, David.  I know Peg appreciates your efforts and realizes all you are going through.  You two are a good team!  Take care and may God bless both of you!  You need some good things coming your way!

Hugs,

Aimzee

Monday Morning

Thanks to those that posted since I was last here.

We both had a rough night, for different reason. She has been up since 4 AM in severe pain. I never got more than 2 1/2 hours sleep the entire night combined. No way to start out the day.

We are about to leave for pre-op, but it's actually at the surgeon's office, so it shouldn't be too bad.

I am amazed that we aren't at each other's throat, with both of us dealing with severe pain and a serious lack of sleep. But we soldier onward.

If this surgery goes as well as this very experienced surgeon believes it will, she could be well on the road to a true recovery. So far, its just been 4 1/2 weeks of suffering in pain to one degree or the other for her, and for me: more pain, more fatigue, and being awake on the average of 20 hours a day or more. Something has to give at some point.

David

David,

Keeping my finger's crossed and you both in my prayers as your Wife goes into surgery tomorrow. Hope that you will have some help at home so that you can BOTH get some rest and time to recover from this difficult medical issue for Peg.

Beachbum

good news - the pre-op was a breeze. we were in and out in about 20 minutes. they barely had time to park my car (free valet parking), and we were back to the sidewalk wanting the car back. the trip drained us both, so we ended up with a good 2 hour nap.
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thanks for the positive replies, all is set for surgery, which is set for 0815 in the morning. that early part sucks for me, but will get this thing behind us. i spoke to a patient of the surgeon she is using in the waiting room. he was elated with this doctor. just 2 weeks ago, he had surgery on his upper back, done through a small hole in his throat. he couldn't walk before, now he was springing about and gleaming. it was there today to get cleared to go back to work only 2 weeks out of surgery. that was encouraging.

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billy,

thanks. we just don't fight and argue, never really been our style. with my chronic pain being way past the 2 year mark, she can tell on my face when i am getting on edge, and same with her pain, i can tell from her voice when she is hurting. so we simply take it easy on each other.

david

David - i haven't been around here very long, and so i don't really know you - but i have been reading your posts. Just want to chime in with my best wishes. You seem like an AMAZING guy, and truly a great husband. I'm sure she is a great wife as well, and i am praying and keeping my fingers tightly crossed for you both.