Ive worked 2 weeks in hh with ruptured C6/C7 discs

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.

Ive been packing my heavy bag and stooping and driving for 2 weeks with excruciating pain, intractable pain, pain that made me CRY while driving between patients. My right arm is numb and im just in misery. Finally I had MRI and have ruptured cervical discs in need of surgery. I can NOT believe I managed to work like this. I cant believe I even attempted to work like this. I was just discharged from the hospital tonight and am not allowed to work or drive and have a consult appt with the surgeon on Thursday. Never again will I put my job ahead of my health. My boss is wonderful though. She showed up on my first night in the hospital with a teddybear and assurance that I will have my job once all this is over. I hate leaving all my patient load onto the other nurses. I was admitted in the hospital onto the floor I used to work on, and to beat it all, I was assisting with my discharge paperwork and answering the callbell while the other nurses were busy. Why are we not able to relax and take care of OURSELVES. Does becoming a nurse literally place our mentality of our own health out the door? Im so used to taking care of others, I dont even know HOW to take care of myself anymore.

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Glad to hear your employer is supporting you in this. If it were my former hh employer you would be out in the cold, on your own, in more ways than one. Relax now and deal with your health. The job will take care of itself.

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Feel better my friend!!!!

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Please do not answer call lights when you are a pt!

What if you are further injured or even disabled while doing that? Your insurance may not pay for your injuries and in no way would Workman's Comp cover you!

You are endangering yourself- please take care of yourself. Please have a speedy recovery. I am so glad your employer has some ethics and compassion. I hope your surgery goes well.

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

Isn't it amazing? I got to the point where I couldn't feel my fingers of one hand at all before I even went to the MD. I had a C6-7 fusion 7 years ago and am doing very well. You can get through this and back to work. You will probably need a rolling backpack though! You will also need to learn to slow down and let your body heal. It is a mental as well as a physical shift. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.

Thank you guys for all of your support. I never thought of that though...answering the callbell. I am just so used to working, its like I dont know HOW to slow down. Janey, how are you now? I mean, do you have full motion of your neck now? My right hand is completely numb too, which has me really concerned that the feeling may not come back. Slowing down is the hardest thing for me to do unfortunately.

Again, thanks guys for all your comments and concern.

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

They told me that I would no longer have full range looking up. I don't spend a lot of time in that position, so it isn't an issue! I do practice yoga and have some limitations as far as standing on my head and putting weight on my head. The MD didn't tell me that, I am just a bit freaked out by the idea and feel better safe than sorry. Other than that, I am pretty much 100%.

Just be really careful that you follow the post-op advice. I was in a hard Aspen collar for 6 full weeks and then had another 6 weeks of PT and no work. I know others who did not wear their collar like they should and rushed back to work and had problems. You only get one spine--be good to it and yourself and take the time to heal.:twocents:

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.
Please do not answer call lights when you are a pt!

What if you are further injured or even disabled while doing that? Your insurance may not pay for your injuries and in no way would Workman's Comp cover you!

You are endangering yourself- please take care of yourself. Please have a speedy recovery. I am so glad your employer has some ethics and compassion. I hope your surgery goes well.

Ditto ! Wish you the best. If we don't take care of ourselves, we will not be able to take care of others.

Your health must come first ! :)

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:eek::eek::eek: just my reaction of thinking about your pain and how you made it through...GET SOME SERIOUS R/R you need to recover and take care of yourself now, It is great that your boss is supporting you Sending up a little prayer for you get well soon!
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