ACOT Message Board

 dh with his back problem and me for my sanity.

Back in April at spring break while dd and I were in Oklahoma visiting family dh called me and told he went to work but he was in a lot of pain so they sent him home and told him to take care of himself. This was on a Tuesday. He went to the Dr. that day. He had an MRI and on the next Tuesday he found out what was wrong. The disks at L4 and L5 are pretty much gone more so on L4. (this is from a birth defect in his vertebrae) And the nerves are getting in between the bones causing pain in his back and legs. Also some numbness in his legs. So his Dr. sent him to a  neurosurgeon and while he was doing some tests he noticed that dhs reflexes were kind of jumpy so sent for another MRI on his upper back and neck. He also has two bulging disks and one ruptured. The Dr. said he could have surgery on his lower back but he will always be in pain. He does labor type work. So I don't think he can ever do any of that type of work again. He can't sit up straight right now either.

So after three weeks of not going to work even though they were saying take care of yourself(and paying him to stay at home) they called and fired him.  He can get unemployment but we still haven't gotten a check.  Lucky we got that stimulus check. Of course I paid bills today and it's all but gone.  I don't make enough to cover everything. And I still have the house and car payment left to pay.


Anyway I need prayers that if he can't work he can get disability and I can get these bills paid. I only have a few car payments left so that will be better in a few months. And he will get an unemployment check soon.


Thank you girls!

 Sending prayers!!

 prayers and (((hugs)))

 So sorry for your situation!  I feel for your dh, because I have had problems with my back, too.  Hopefully, the surgery will help alot.  Sending prayers for you, that everything will work out and he will qualify for disability.

 that stinks!  My prayers and {{{{{{{big hugs}}}}}} to you, we are here for you always! 

So sorry.......I hope things work out for your dh real soon with back relief & a new job. Sending prayers your way.

 Sending (((((HUGS))))) and prayers your way

Teresa, I know what kind of pain your dh is going through.  My dh was bedridden for 3 weeks this past Spring because of his L4 & L5. We were not sure if he would be able to go back to work either because he's a bricklayer and there is NOTHING easy about that job. His is herniated but bulging IN instead of out which is pressing on the spinal cord and causing more pain down his leg. The neurosugeon that he went to gave him a great dose of steriods (it was one of those packs where you take 8 the first day, 7 the next, then 6, etc.) and he has been back to work all summer. He really has to watch that he doesn't do something stupid, like try picking up a steel beam like he did today.  If he does over do it, he pays for it. He's got stretches that he does that help. We're just hoping that he can get through the rest of this summer and when he's laid off over the winter, he'll get the surgery done. The neurosurgeon said it is a very easy surgery and not a big deal.

Good luck on keeping your sanity! LOL I had to be nurse maid while also taking care of 6 kids a day.

 I'm surprised that the doctor says your DH will still have pain even after the surgery.  Back in January I had a laminectomy and discotomy to fix a ruptured disk at L4 or L5, don't recall which one.  Well all was going well for the first 3 months after the surgery.  Then I traveled, and did some stupid things, and spent the month of May back in extreme pain.  Not as bad as before surgery, but getting pretty close.  Now, in the past month things are starting to turn around.  I just have to remember to follow the doctor's and physical therapist's instructions.  Absolutely NO lifting anything over 10 lbs, and no bending to lift anything.  Last week, I felt really great. . . we were on vacation and I did a lot of walking and very little sitting like I do at my job.  Now that I'm back to work, things aren't as good, but they are getting better.  I'm trying to walk every afternoon during lunch and then again after work, and that's helping.  So, my biggest recommendation to your DH is to take it easy and do exactly what the doctors say after the surgery.  I've been told it'll probably take 6-12 months until I'm back to normal. 

Hang in there. . . praying for you that things get better.

 Prayers coming your way!

Prayers coming your way and here is a {{{HUG}}} as well.

 prayers coming your way!  i know you posted this a few weeks ago..any updates?

 Teresa, of course, will be thinking of you and praying for you.

I don't know how things are in your state, but my dad was sick with cancer and  tried to go on disability.  Its a 6 month wait, and you literally are jumping through hoops in the meantime just to prove an illness.  By the time the disability wa approved, my dad was in remission and was able to go back to work.  The state did give him $ for the 6 months he had waited, but then since he was able to go back to work, they tried to say he was never disabled and wanted it all back.  Duh!  That is how they paid bills and lived!  My point is, keep very good paper trails of everything, document all dr visits and do everything you need to asap to get the disability rolling.  And tell dh not to push to do anything strenuouis that would be of harm to himself later on!  If you feel you are not getting the help you need, keep asking around, sooner or later there is someone out there who knows the rihgt facilities to help.  Good luck and keep us posted!  {{{{hugs}}}}  

 sending prayers, also he needs to look into disability.