Can you say some prayers and think of us today DH having a procedure

itscc2u · #1 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 07:47 AM

My mind has been going every which way but loose the last week DH was pulled off work last week indefinitely due to a problem with his neck. The same problem that pulled him off work last year for 3 months only now they say he may never work again. He has cervical radiculitis in the C5-C6 area basically the disk is impinging his spinal cord and causing severe pain he cant turn his head or do much of anything but pop vicodin and its been this way for months, he refers to it as "Housing himself up".

Today they are going to do a epidural steroid and pain medication injection in hopes of giving him some relief and shrinking the disk. He is freaking out, ne somewhat too, he is the sole breadwinner in the family and he doesnt make much and the disability checks after health insurance will be a whole $160 a week to live off of plus my small SSDI check which does pay the mortgage/lot rent and utilities but our car payment and medical bills and food wont be covered with his little checks and we are over limit for Foodstamps etc.

He has been considered a bad candidate for neck fusion surgery in the past because of the damage and he doesnt want it because he has seen what I went through and the problems I have had 6 years later, they are talking if this doesnt help he will have no choice but to have the surgery which means a year at least to recover and no job to go back to because the FMLA only saves your job for 12-13 weeks.

We cant live in this Area anymore on the little check DH would get. I only work PT with H&R Block now because of my Health issues and its killing me to work the 20 hours every 2 weeks and of course that ends soon. I guess I just need prayers all over for Todays procedure and for the future I am so lost I cant seem to wrap my head around all this and I cant cut back anymore than we already have on anything around her nothing is not essential and we're stuck on contracts on some things that would cost us more to cancel than we have.

Thanks for listening and Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

freer · #2 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 08:00 AM

I hope all goes well. I'll keep you and DH in my prayers.

mrswright · #3 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 08:53 AM

I am thinking all you and your dh. I hope everything works out. Good Luck.

BrendaRawson · #4 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 09:22 AM

I will keep you and your dh in my thoughts and prayers.

mom2twins2 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 11:18 AM

Prayers and thoughts definitely being sent your way. I have the same problem with my neck at C-5 and C-6 and have had surgery (which didn't work), so I know the pain your DH is in. I, too, take the Vicodin and other pain pills to minimize the pain. I sure hope the procedure they're doing for your husband works. I know you must be scared and the financial pressures sure don't help at all.

I'll be thinking of you guys today. Let us know how it goes.

((HUGS))

grannyshirl · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 02:30 PM

I hope that all goes well for him today.
Thinking of all of you,

Sending hugs and prayers,
Shirley

stellatj · #7 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 03:34 PM

sending prayers your way.

linnybop · #8 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 03:42 PM

You sound pretty overwhelmed right now, and it's quite understandable. You will get through this. Sending prayers your way.

itscc2u · #9 (**permalink**) 03-25-2008, 07:45 PM

Thanks everyone it was a long day today we came home and went to sleep.

This pain managment Doctor is AWESOME, she's young barely looks like she is out of High School, but explained everything in detail to us. I got to stay in the room when she did the Epidural injection and it was so cool to see her place the needle while watching on the screen as she guided the needle using a flouroscope. She said that it usually takes 5-7 days sometimes 10 for the steroids to start working and she prefers to do this in a series of 3 injections so we go back in 2 1/2 weeks for another one. No work until then, no heavy stuff for 24 hrs after the procedure. She said some Patients feel relief in 24 hours and she warned of the epidural Headache and he got one and I did too LOL probably just because they were running late and I was tired and I looked mor elike the patient when I got stuck and couldnt get out of the chair.

I am going to see her myself for my fibromyalgia, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis she actually has written articles and lectured on those diseases and pain management. Its worth a try my rheumatologist has said it owuld be a good idea to try a pain management Doctor so I am going to.

I appreciate everyones prayers and thoughts I am still trying to wrap my brain around things, The school counselor has been fantastic she had the Cafeteria Manager fax over a Free Lunch Application to the Foods Services Office with a request to expedite the application due to extenuating circumstance so DS can get reduced or free lunch. She also made a referral for a Food Bank that I went to years ago that I know gives you a lot of food last time I got more than I could fit in my fridge so I go to pick that up after my Dentist Appt tomorrow and bless my Dentists heart she is allowing me to pay $20 a month towards my crown until we get back on our feet isnt she great. So slowly it may work itself out and I may lower my car insurance limits if it makes a big difference we are insured enough that if we hit a porsche its covered LOL.

I know I said it twice already Thanks everyone I will update as I can.