Hubby's condition very serious...

[ICNJess]

Well today he finally went to the doctor, and it sounds like he will be having surgery one way or another. He has an MRI in 2 weeks, had X-Rays today. Dr. thinks he has 2 discs that are pressing on a nerve or; tailbone broke, and a bone is jammed into his nerves somehow, or that the bone is cracked or something. Anyway, he'll probably be having some big surgery, and will have to take a month off work and be bedridden for 2 weeks at least during that time. He is our sole source of income, I am terrified.

Also, I have to go in and have my InterStim implant "Re-Implanted"! Of all the things! My uro offered to flat out just take it out, but he said he'd have to leave the leads in, because by now they're probably wrapped up in scar tissue. It was a bad visit today, he didn't believe me that the stim is causing me such pain. Finally I rolled over on my left side and showed him that the whole unit sticks really far out of my skin, at least 2 inches! The whole friggin unit! So I go back in a month to be re-evaluated. I guess this is from the weight loss. Double edged sword. He wants to put it in deeper this time around...I am so afraid.

So here I sit with my hubby who is whincing in pain and on steroids and Flexeril, and with an InterStim sticking far out of my a**. Ugh.

[fireflicker285]

Oh dear. Hope things soon improve for you.

[kelly McC]

Jess,
I am so sorry best wishes for both you and your husband.
Kelly

[VickiB]

Jess, I'm so sorry and will keep you & your husband in my prayers!

Vicki

[Betsie]

Jess,
I'm so sorry, I know this is so scary for you. I am trying to dig up some advice here for you, but we will talk after things settle down. Don't panic, all of those "possibilities" could mean diffeent options...don't hesitate to get a second opion after he has all his films, etc. I just need to get through this week :sigh: and then I will be better equipped to talk to you. Hang in there, the i-stim: that's a mystery to me...doesn't sound like you have a lot of alternatives here, wish I understood it more.

Give Chris a hug (be gentle :)) and both of you just take good care and try not to worry, okay?
(((Hugs)))) Bets

[vm]

Will he get short term disability benefits? That is what my husband is getting. His is 50% of his normal income, but it is from the gross income - you don't pay taxes on it so it comes close to what he was bringing home anyway. My hubby does manual labor at his job, too, so I know how scary it is when it is an injury to their back. :(

[ICNDonna]

I'll keep both you and your husband in my prayers. I know how worried you are about him. Back surgery is always scary, but remember that neurosurgeons these days can do some pretty marvelous things.

I hope both of you will be better soon.

Warm hugs,
Donna

[rhea]

Jess, you are both in my prayers. Just a little thought about back surgery. I fell rollerbladding with my kids in 93. Herniated 3 disc. Waited until I couldn't walk to have surgery (sole income at the time). Had laminectomy on all 3 in 96. 2 weeks in bed, another 4 till back to work, but what a difference. 10 years later and still going strong. Like Kim suggested I went out with my short term disabilty too. If that is an option with his company he should contact them as soon as possible. Also, once he gets all the test done (why are they waiting 2 weeks to do the MRI?) make sure you get a 2nd opinion, just to put your mind at ease. Good luck and I am wishing you the best.

[Annie2]

Jess, I am so very sorry both you and your husband are going through so much! I know how very frightening back surgery can be. Several years ago my husband went through 2 separate, very serious and complicated back surgeries. Donna is so right......neurosurgeons can do wondress things. Today my husband is just fine. He has to be careful (had to give up skiing after the second surgery) and exercises regularly to maintain good muscle tone, but otherwise he has no continuing problems. It may not help a whole lot to just hear someone else went through it and is ok, but I mention it because I want you to know I do understand the fear you are experiencing.

Your own medical problems added to the physical problems your husband is experiencing must make your situation so very difficult. Please know I,too, will keep both of you in my prayers. We'll all be here to give you all the support we can. Please keep us posted as to how you both are doing.

:grouphug:

Annie

[desolationangel]

I will definitely keep both of you in my thoughts. I can't imagine how scary it is, and I hope that everything goes well for both of you.

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

[jaime15]

Jess,
Just take good care of him and yourself and hopefully his recovery time will be short. :grouphug:
You'll be in my prayers.

[ICNJess]

Thanks everyone. :grouphug: I am unsure about the short-term disability...he didn't hurt himself at work. He was building a deck with my dad this summer, and while they were digging and doing the post-hole thing, he hurt himself. I don't have much faith in the doctors around here...he saw 2 for this same problem, and they dismissed him both times. Now here we are...I sent him to my PCP and she was astonished that he waited this long to come see her. She lectured him for a little bit about how serious this could be, and that he shouldn't have waited so long.

They made him stand on both legs, and he couldn't feel one of his legs. He thought he was standing on it, but he was actually standing only on one leg...ugh.

My own surgery is no big deal I suppose...just a repeat of the original. I am just mostly afraid for him. This will be my umpteenth surgery, and my husband is healthy, so he's not accostomed to the whole scene. :(

I have no idea how to take this short term route, I don't even know if he can get it since he wasn't injured at work. :(

[jaime15]

Jess,
He should check with the company he works for and get some information. A friend of ours who works for the same company that hubby does, had surgery 3 weeks ago for breathing problems (apnea) and is getting short-term disability. And his condition doesn't have anything to do with on the job injuries. There obviously are different classifications for this. It won't be the same, but every little bit of income helps. Big hugs......... :grouphug:

[Jeanne D.]

Jess:

Have your husband check with his company about short-term disability. If he can't get it from his company, he should be able to get it from the state. In NY if you are out of work for more than 1 week you can qualify for disability -- the maximum amount is only $170.00 a week for a total of 26 weeks. It isn't much, but it is better than nothing. State disability is taken out of your paycheck. You will need an MD to fill out the paperwork before you can be paid.

If you are hurt on the job, you would qualify for workman's compensation. It is different from regular disability as it is work related and is paid by the company.

Hope this info helps you some.

Good luck to both of you and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Jeanne

[vm]

Jess - My husband didn't hurt his back at work either - he hurt it at home. It would be Worker's Comp if it was at work, but short term disability covers injury or illness that occurs away from work.

[dyno]

Jess, I am sending hugs and prayers to both of you. Yes, do check into the short term disability. When my daughter had her baby and was off for maternity leave, short term is what paid her. It wa 60% of her pay I think.

[ICNJess]

Wow this is very good to know. You all are right, some is better than none. I am going to ask Chris to look into this, if need be. Thank you all SO MUCH!!!

[dawn42007]

My husband had to have surgery on his back a year ago. His MRI showed two bulging disks, and one was pushing so hard on a nerve that there were times his leg would basically quit working. The Dr. did a two level discotmy on him which means he took the buldging parts out.The inscision was small and he was up and walking around the house two days after. He didn't have to stay off of work for long at all. I'm sure your husbands problems may be a little different, but I wanted to tell you what I know from personal experience.
You are both in my prayers,
Jessica

[Katrina]

Jess, I so hope your husband's surgery solves his pain....I pray both of you get through this. You really deserve a break. God Bless You!
:grouphug:

[SharonA]

Jess...I don't have any words of wisdom for you. All I have to give you are a lot of hugs and prayers for the both of you. :grouphug: :grouphug: :pray: :pray:

[SheriG]

:grouphug: Oh Jess, I am so sorry to hear what is happening to you and hubby. I am sure you must be stressed and overwhelmed, but breath deep...things have a way of working themselves out. I have never had interstim, but it sounds like it is giving you problems, and hubby probably cannot give you the support you need, cuz he is hurting. I will keep you both in my prayers. I have had discs removed, so know the pain he is going thru..poor guy.If you ever wanna talk, either on here or on the phone to vent, cry, talk, whatever...I will give you my number if you want. My email address is: sherirnmom@aol.com. Please take it easy if you can. You have many many friends here who love and support you. Again, you will both be in my prayers. :grouphug: :kissing: Sheri

[Sarojini]

Jess... hope everything turns out okay. I am so sorry that you two are both going through some rough patches health wise. :( I'm sending some hugs to you :grouphug:

[poetgirl]

Jess,

I hope you and your husband's conditions improve soon! It sounds like he's got some serious surgery/recuperation ahead of him, but if he takes it easy during recovery, he should probably be fine.

As far as short-term disability goes, it depends on each state and employer. When I had to have my gallbladder out 8 years ago, I had to use up all my vacation time first (which wasn't much since I had just started a new job) and then received short-term disability until I was able to return to work. I had also had a problem with my neck years before that for which I was hospitalized about 5 days (only to come home and contract mono) and was out of work about a month. I received short-term disability for that too. Make sure your husband checks with his job to find out what he may be eligible for.

[dancemomof2]

Jess, sorry somehow I missed this post duhhhh me. Hope all goes well and take care of yourself through all this also.

[ICNJess]

Thanks again, no news to report...he's on a bunch of meds now and is still in a lot of pain. Things could always be a lot worse though, right? Yeesh when it rains, it pours though. Anyway, thanks, without you guys I would go insane!

Hugs and love,
Jess

[mayray518]

I feel bad for you. I got disability from my job and SSI disability after IC but I DID have to pay taxes on my work disability. I dont know what VM means about not paying taxes on work disability. I dont think you should have to because you are working off only 60% of your salary (in my case) but thats the way the good old Government works.

[codyryonwoodward]

Jess wanted to say I am sorry for you and your husband right now. Everyone is right on the short term dis. from his work. That is for illiness and so forth. Workers comp is for when you are hurt on the job. Now about the taxes most times they dont take taxes out but watch out because this money is still included on your W-2 at the end of year so you still need to make sure by year end enough money has been withheld for the IRS.