New specialist today

[jolly_tamale]

Short back story:

A few years ago I had an accessory navicular removed that was attached to my posterior tibial tendon. They reconstructed my foot and made a new "home" for the tendon. Then a little bit after that the tendon tore off the bone. I had a tendon debridement and screws put in my foot. Now I am having massive pain again.

EMG shows nerve damage and compression. MRI "found" a new extra bone we didn't know about, tendon damage, and now also diagnosed with tarsal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy. A lot of damage on this foot for nursing. The doctor told me I needed to be realistic about working. While I have no restrictions (as my dr put it, the damage is already done). I am now looking at a surgery to put in a synthetic tendon and some plates, as well as moving a few bones over and reseting my ankle. Painful, long surgery/recovery.

I am trying to be realistic about what my capabilities and disabilities are. I love bedside nursing, it's just standing on my feet (okay, walking I never get a chance to just stand, lol) really hurts. I come home after every shift and head straight for the pain medicine to try to get on top of the pain.

I guess I just need some encouragement. I felt like the doctor was telling me to give up my nursing dreams but I just love it too much and have no idea what else I would do. He told me to get my RN and be a phone nurse. Not my ideal, but at least it's still nursing.

Any words of wisdom?!?