To get you up to date.......In a nutshell, my MRI showed a ruptured disc. Its the disc that controls the right arm. Go figure.......I have been drafting for 35 years and 20 of those years have been at a computer. Do you think my job had something to do with this? I am still not working. I'm on short term disability at the moment. I had the cortisone procedure two weeks ago. All the horrible things I heard about "the cortisone shot" weren't true. They mildly sedated me, the anesthesiologist looked like Rob Lowe. That was almost as good as when I had my hysterectomy and the guy looked like Keanu Reeves. Anyway, I was not fully under, but I didn't feel a thing, but I was very sick and in intense pain at the time. I didn't even know when or where they gave the shot until I got home and saw the band-aid on my neck. Was sicker than sick afterwards from the sedation and morphine shot they gave me. But the intense arm pain had subsided. It has been off and on these past couple of weeks, they had to give me a stronger pain medication, but it seems to be doing the job. And the cortisone has finally kicked in. So I spend my days on my back with ice packs, taking it easy, biding my time as I heal. The doc said this could take 6-8 weeks.
I feel like my drafting career is over with. I manage one of the projects my company has.........drafting for the local electric company. I have had this project for 16 years. I work with the client, I estimate the work, I do the work, I check the work, etc. I was a one-person project basically, and I loved it. I have a great boss and he said that when I come back he will give me a drafter to do the actual drafting and I will supervise, estimate the work, check the work, etc.........everything but the drafting. Right now I am unable to sit at a computer. I am standing as I type this.
Before all this happened I was scheduled to go see my folks in Arizona, and was going to meet with their financial advisor, he has been gathering Dan's and my info and seeing what he could come up with as far as early retirement for me. Dan is going to retire in two years at age 62. So now it has become very important to figure out a way for me to retire early. The financial advisor has nothing but praise for our money situation and has given us lots of hope. When we sell off our three lots we will be in good shape, even if we sell just one.
In the meantime, I am at a very big crossroads in my life. I have a lot of time to think as I lay around here on ice packs. The prospects are good, we have options. I'm kinda excited about it, and a little scared. I have never not worked a full time job, and it seems like it would be such a luxury to retire.
Willy and Alex are getting spoiled. They have not had to be in their pen during the day for 6 weeks, with the exception of a few hours here and there when I went to doctor appointments. We curl up together on the hide-a-bed couch with lots of blankets and pillows and we watch movies. They are wonderful company.
I have not been able to keep up with all that is going on with everyone. I sure hope you all are doing okay.
Hi Patty, glad to hear from you... Sending out more rays that you heal quickly... I hope everything works out for you and Dan... Sounds as if the boys love having you home, who wouldn't love all that attention, I know Emmy does... Belly rubs to the boys.. Hugs to you... Hope your feeling better soon... :comfort: :pray:
Patty - it is great to hear from you ! Sending rays and prayers in full force that you get to feeling like you want to get up and around. Nothing worse than having a continuing pain. Keeping good thoughts that the future will move ahead as you and Dan figure out what you want to do. Maybe you don't work full time and do some consulting? I am sure you have a full time job just working on your land !!! The main priority is to get you feeling better !
We miss you and are all thinking of you !
Hi Patty. Feel better quick and I hope your early retirement happens and things all settle down quickly for you. Come back when you can. We miss you.
Hi Patty, I was thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you were doing. You could ask your neurologist, but chances are your drafting career had nothing to do with the disk problem in the neck. There is also the possiblity that you can go back to doing your job, even though it may not seem that way at this time. Eventually this will heal, and you finally have the right treatment and medication to help it. However, if it were me and I had the chance for early retirement, I think I would jump on it. Just don't take it because you think your career is over, unless you've been told that is the case. It is easy to think things will never return to normal when you are feeling as bad as you are now.
Give Willy and Alex some belly rubs for me and continue to do what the doctor says. I'm sure you've seen every movie on DVD right now, but if you haven't seen "No Reservations", it's worth renting. Meg and I watched it tonight. Also "August Rush" is excellent!
Keep in touch.
Patty, as God is my witness I had a boyfriend in college who had disc surgey due to ruptered disc. The poor dude could hardly walk. A few months later we danced at my cousin's wedding. Follow doctor's orders, lay around. Write yer life story (send us all a copy) and GET BETTER. YOU WILL GET BETTER!
we love you!
chin up!
10 days after my Total Knee replacement I had terrible back pain cried most of the time about a month later finely they did a MRI found a Herniated disk & 2 bulging disks,spinal stenosis & degenerative disk disease. I worked as a Nurses Aide for 31 years went on disability do not miss working at all. I had the cortisone's shots 1 then 2 more about a year later insurance problems. It will get better in time mine was about 6 months on the disks but everyone is different also. I really feel for you and your pain sending lite hugs and mega rays.
Papbouv
Good to hear from you, plus another look at it, you can always shange to your left, don't laugh......but the looking at retiring sounds good. We are looking july 1st 2009, and have mulled over going to 3 days if they'e have us. But make those desicions when you are up and about, and you will be.
Me, I've had arthristis since I was 17 and that now includes both ends of the spine, but drugs and exercise help.
BIg hugs and glad to here you have the boys to help.
Roberta
Hey Patty,I'm glad that you're doing better! Just take it one day at a time! :pray:Rays are coming your way!
Nice hearing from you- glad you are on the mend. Sometimes God gives us these opportunities to take a new direction in life. It sounds like early retirement might be nice. Maybe you could even work part time.
Stay good and follow your doctor's orders! Glad you have your fur babies there to keep you company. :)
Wow! I have been thinking about you a lot, and wondering how the cortisone did for you. It sounds like you have some wonderful dachsie nursing! Your retirement option sounds good - wish I could think of that sooner than the 4 years more I need. Take good care of yourself - and here's hoping you sell your three plots!
What a rough time this has been for you Patty. I've been wondering how you are feeling. Take your time making any decisions...I tend to agree with Theresa....it's hard to see clearly when your in pain and stressed.
Write and let us know how your doing when you have a chance....and please continue to take good care of you. We miss you here and want to see you back SITTING at your computer! Hugs to you and belly rubs to the furkids. You will be in my prayers....
What is funny about this blown disc happening when it did............I had already been looking into early retirement. That was why I was going to Arizona, to meet with the financial advisor my parents have. He is really wonderful according to my parents, and he knows his stuff. When I contacted him regarding early retirement, he said that he had just returned from a seminar on baby boomer retirement. After looking at my situation, he said Dan and I looked very good and he thought early retirement for me was very possible. I have worked as a drafter since high school, 35 years. I'm tired of it, I want to retire. This isn't a rash decision. Dan and I have been making a list of things we want to do when we retire. Such as, be in Nome, Alaska when the Iditarod racers come in. And spend a long weekend at a bed and breakfast in Seattle and shop at Pike Street Market. There is a Hawaii trip on the list, too, since Dan has never been there. And of course there are all these friends we have scattered all over the place that we would love to visit.
listern Patty its only a few more hours to come visit us from Hawaii .
Roberta
Patty, very thrilled that the cortisone shot has kicked in and you are finally getting some relief. (what beautiful eyes your anesthesiologist had!!!) Early Retirement sounds great!!! Good luck in whatever decision you make. Remember, life is short; enjoy your time together with Dan while you can. Take care and am still :pray: that you feel better and better every day. Give Willy and Alex nosie kisses and belly rubs for me.