Work, PISP, and referral to a surgeon

First day back at work today. Thankfully I had a much better sleep last night - even if I did wake feeling like I needed another 2 hours! I did much better than I thought I would at work. I was in admissions again and had a grand total of 12 patients today. The only thing killing me today was BOREDOM! It was painful! The plus side of that is you get a rare opportunity to provide emotional support to your patients. And I had some great ones today! Physically, it was difficult to remind and stop myself from doing normal duties. Lifting luggage, moving the equipment trolley, bending to put TEDS on a patient... but that's because I'm so used to being independent and looking after myself. I've done it all my life. But my NUM kept checking on me and supporting me. It kind of felt good... And then I got the PISP (Personal Injury Support Plan)...

Physically, I coped ok today. I didn't fatigue until about 1400hrs. Although at about noon I noticed my back was getting really sore. I contemplated getting my brace out of my back pack but the burn on my back makes it too painful to wear. So I persevered.

After work I had my appointment with my GP. The look on his face said it all. The report was one thing but his concerns were another. I asked him what the future holds for me. He said he had no idea. We don't know why my discs bulge so easily. But they shouldn't. I now have three discs that have bulged. The nerve at the L5/S1 is being compressed by the bulge which is new. Last year it was only touching. Hopefully as the inflammation goes down, the nerve will be less compressed. But we don't know what will happen. I had to send my crystal ball off for repairs so fortelling the future is just not possible at the moment.
My GP said his main concerns were my age and multi level disc prolapse. The symptoms are treatable and, considering my success last year, will likely respond well to similar treatment. BUT (there's always a BUT, isn't there?), he wants me to see a surgeon. He knows my stance on surgery and was quick to assure me that it isn't for the prospect of surgery but for a second opinion and management strategy. The surgeon will order an MRI for better views of my injuries. Hopefully they will be supportive of conservative treatment and not in favor of surgery. I do not want surgery. I've been reading about the likely surgery to be proposed and the long term benefits even out at the 15 year mark for surgical Vs conservative treatment. So many things to consider.

So... my plan? To survive tomorrow. My first day back in recovery where I'm on my feet most of the day. To call the surgeon's rooms and make an appointment. And to get some gentle pilates in... rehab rehab rehab... afterall It’s about learning to do the things you want to do, within the limits your body imposes.