My attitude is sooooooo low I can slide under the door crack the cold air blows under the front door.
Its my first week of being officially unemployed. Sunday was the hardest 2 things, telling both work places I was thru.
Just not able to go any more.I thought right up to last Thursday I was going back to work this Monday. NOT!!!
I am now a professional TV watcher. 4 hours of 'Gunsmoke' is making the sky's hazy every day,,then 2 hours of 'Little House'
Cant sleep anyway,,an hour or two and some short cat naps is all I can manage
I guess even worse than that is I had a 1000 projects waiting for me when I had time,,,and travel and see some country.
Its all out the window now. Need a grip on my mortality.
Whats even scarier is how fast it has progressed to this point.
After researching some the ONLY possible help might be a 'decompressive laminectomy'
BUT my chiro is against that,,,his assertion is when you do that the bad growth comes back three times as fast.
His suggestion is a traction machine BUT its not covered by insurance of any kind,,,but he quoted me a good rate of $25 per session.
But takes lots of sessions,,,and what I am afraid of is it goes right back to old ways soon as you stop.
Did that in physical therapy for my cervical neck a couple months ago. Felt good for about half hour,,,and then gravity wins
Other issue is if I do go surgical decompress way,,,I need 2 or 3 or MORE of those up and down for different areas
My whole idea Of retirement has drastically changed in the last two weeks!!!
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
Don,
All I can say is: Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Don't give up JD! What's wrong with your back exactly?
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
trade ya my neck for your back...
my my ain't we a pair....
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
Don, no one knows what tomorrow will bring.
Clearly, now was the time your body needed a rest. You gave it your all and for that, you should have no regrets.
You sound like a very consiousness employee. Go the extra mile to make sure the work is done right. Even if it means if it could be detrimental to your health.
Your job(s) are a big part of your life. But it isn't the total of your self worth. You will learn that, even at your age. I did.
I went from being a very well respected, hardworking, dependable, and honest bartender, to being unable to determine which shoe went on which foot.
I worked every shift last year as if it were my last. Until it was.
Are you replaceable as an employee? Of coarse you are. Everyone is. But, it might take 2 employees to do the great job you did.
Let your body heal, try to relax and wait it out. So sorry.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Sorry friend, I know what it is like to have your life suddenly changed by severe back pain.
I have 10 vertebral fractures (and suspect that I've gotten 2 more this past year...). The pain is incredible, indescribably horrible! Totally debilitating.
I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome but did not know that I had the rare complication of severe osteoporosis.
I didn't even do anything fun or cool or crazy to cause all my fractures. I was simply coughing hard in my sleep one night. Then I couldn't sit up in bed the next morning because the pain was absolutely excruciating. No one believed me how bad it was because I hadn't done anything to cause a known injury.
Besides the fractures, I have nerve problems, facet problems, arthritis, etc... My back is a mess.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
how about a bucket list?
it took months after I retired for me to settle down. I was in so much pain, emotionally and physically.
at first I just slept and, yep, watched tv. could barely clean house, let alone myself.
it's not easy. I was a workaholic, working 10-12 hours all the time. once worked from six to 11 at night. the job us lyme was killing me.
relax for awhile and then make decisions. enjoy your family, pets, and friends. I had no one but at least it was quiet.
I wish you much luck.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
One more thing, there is a procedure called "Minimally Invasive Laminotomy".
Instead of being an open surgery with a large incision, this type of procedure that uses tiny incisions to allow use of small scopes to view the the surgery field and small tools needed to complete the procedure.
This procedure allows for much faster recovery time and has a good success rate.
Maybe you could talk with a doctor in your area, or a large city near you, that can discuss your case in detail and answer all your questions.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
sammy do you have a rod in your back? my friend, doris, was in a mva. her back was busted up good.
they did four back surgeries then finally put a rod in.
she went out on disability finally. she just couldn't sit at a desk anymore.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Keep searching for help, don...and try to relax a bit.. IT IS POSSIBLE that you will get better. I would suggest taking plenty of magnesium to help your muscles relax.
About 6 yrs ago I injured my back and neck while trying to lift something I shouldn't have been lifting.
I spent the next year or so in traction at home and at the chiro's... Did the decompression thing too. It helped some and then finally it just didn't help anymore. I also used a TENS unit .. didn't help that much.
I wish I had known at the time that I needed more magnesium in my diet. I think I would have recovered sooner.
Then the next two years my feet went out and I really thought my life was over. I couldn't walk more than 20-30 ft at a time. The only places I went were church and to the grocery store or a restaurant. At the grocery store, my husband pushed me in a wheel chair because the electric carts would pop my neck too badly. I had a handicapped placard for 3 yrs.
Now I'm able to walk just about anywhere I want to.
What I'm saying is .. The body can sometimes heal itself when given the right recipe.
Rest, relax, decompress... literally. There is HOPE!
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
Hi <<<<< Just Don >>>>>,
So sorry to hear the pain has gotten so horrid. Back pain and neck pain are tough to deal with.
We'll be keeping you in prayer, TrekC' has had to have back surgery, some years back. And I've had neck problems.
I know it is super hard but,relax as much as you are able, and breathe. Sometimes it hurts to the point one barely breathes.
Jus' Silverwolfi and TrekCoord too
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
I'm really sorry Don. I don't know what the answer is. I got home from hospital today and don't really have a plan. OT AND PT are supposed to have some ideas tomorrow. I can't figure it out. Good luck To you.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Hi Don - what's wrong with your back? Is any of the above discussion helpful?
Never say never - keep trying to improve the situation -
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Do you have spinal stenosis? The outcome of that surgery looks good.
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Like Sammy said I'd try to opt for the minimally invasive. Outcome looks good.
Posted by HW88 (Member # 48309) on :
I'm sorry you are down.... We all get there. Keep fighting though. There will be answers.
I like lymetoo's answer.
sending good thoughts your way.
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
Believe you can and you’re halfway there
Never, never, never give up
Steve
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
Hi Don Time for disability i think.It is a hard thing to get when young but at your age now it will happen.
When you apply; the key word is (advanced age).
Example- At my advanced age I have trouble lifting things.ect.
I had tons of back problems over the years stopping the work load really made a difference.
You just might get better by getting off the concrete floors.
Is it lyme inbetween the back bones ???
I have made lots of adjustments,like today.
I needed bags of pellets brought in for my stove they weigh 40 pounds each.
I slid them off a stack onto a two wheeled cart,rolled them up onto my patio on 2x8x10 plank ramps. Then into the house up another ramp.
Takes forever but I got them inside were I cut off the top and scoop them one feed scoop at a time into the stove hopper.
My big Dodge diesel truck has a crane mounted in the bed, I use it to lift stuf in and out of there.
10 to 12 foot 2x10 boards can have window cleaner sprayed on them and WALLA slide anything up or down, or from one truck to another.
I have a fold up engine crane in my living room I can use to move anything.
GET ER DONE!!!!!
MADDOG
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
Love steve1906 post.
Especially,
And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
just don, I just read your thread on your back issues and the not so enjoyable work conditions and hours.
I believe it's time to take care of you. Heal your back and then find something you enjoy. You deserve it.
Pam
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I love that poem, Steve! I was first introduced to it about 50+ yrs ago.
Hi Pam!! Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
bonnie, We think and feel alike - that's my favorite part too..
Lymetoo, I love it too, I just hope Don reads it everyday.
Steve
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
Hi Don,
I saw an ad on TV for a back brace that "may be completely covered by medicare". I didn't see a particular brace but it did mention spinal stenosis.
hang in there. I think we've all been in that low/dark place. Look for the Light. It's there. Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Love all the responses. Go JD, Go!
Here is my poem. Steve inspired me and I like his poem very much too.
Be The Best
by Douglas Malloch
If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley - But be,
The best little scrub by the side of the hill.
Be a bush if you can't be a tree.
If you can't be a bush be a bit of the grass.
Doing something for somebody's sake;
If you can't be a muskie, then just be a bass -
But the liveliest bass in the lake!
We can't all be captains, some have to be crew.
There's something for all of us here.
There's big work and little for people to do.
And the task we must do is the near.
If you can't be the highway, then just be a trail.
If you can't be the sun, be a star.
It isn't by size that you win or you fail -
Be the best whatever you are!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
And as for being so low you could slide under the door crack?
Fat chance. You aint that little, son.
Posted by micul (Member # 6314) on :
I would not do the surgeries....many people end up worse off than before.
Here are some things that actually do help, that you can do on your own.
Inversion machine: You can get a used Teeter hang up on craigslist pretty cheap.
Magnetic pulser: Here's a link to one that really works. I've used it for the last 5 years, and it is amazing at taking away the pain. Stay away from the cheap Sota ones...waste of money. Magnetic pulser link
You can make your own Reverse Hyper Machine out of wood. See this youtube video: crossfit reverse hyper
Dr Eric Goodman has a book on Foundation Training, and also many youtube videos that are free to watch. Here is the starter: Foundation Training Link
There are a lot of helpful videos on youtube about lower back problems and herniated disc. At the very least, start stretching your Psoas muscles and hamstrings
[ 02-19-2017, 11:39 AM: Message edited by: micul ]
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
Hey Don I bet you can't get your butt crack under the door crack!!!!!!!!!
HE HE HE HE HE !!!!!!!
MADDOG
Posted by TX Lyme Mom (Member # 3162) on :
I saw an ad on TV for some kind of inversion device, so I googled it and found quite a few different kinds of them. (The one advertised on TV was called Teeter, just like the last photo in the link below.)
I don't know much at all about spinal decompression surgery. It sounds like some kind of disc surgery to me. So I don't know if the idea of inversion exercise would be helpful for you or not.
One of our TxLyme members has a friend who loves it, but her doctor advised against it because of her cardiac problems. Otherwise, she'd try it in a hear beat.
Therefore, before spending money to try it out, ask your doctor if you would be a good candidate for it, cardiac-wise. Keep in mind that doctors are only too eager to recommend surgery because they don't profit from recommending something affordable like this for home usage.
Oh, oh. I didn't notice that Micul had already suggested this same idea just a few days ago, but without any links to help you visualize what it is, perhaps you failed to pay attention to the idea.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Loved the poem, Tincup!
How are ya, don?
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Where's just don? Anyone know he's ok.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I just found his email last night. I need to follow through to see if I can locate him.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
I hope he's not stuck under that door. My hope he is on the mend!
Pam
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Is he OK?
Posted by momindeep (Member # 7618) on :
Been wondering for awhile myself.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
I have arthritis in my neck and lower back. I feel for you. even walking can hurt.
sometimes a back brace will help.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
I contacted Melanie Reber and she is trying to contact his daughter.
Posted by momindeep (Member # 7618) on :
Thanks tutu.
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Hope he's ok.
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Hi Everyone!
Thanks so much for checking in with me Miss Toots. I know how much we all care about Don, so I am hoping that he will come back and give an update soon. In the meanwhile, his daughter did write that he is hanging in there and that his kiddos are taking good care of him.
Much love, M
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks, Mel! Hope to hear from our favorite Don soon!!
Posted by lpkayak (Member # 5230) on :
Thanks for news
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Sending you positive thoughts and prayers. Missed you. Hope you are doing better.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)
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