theremotejen

Definitely there are risks. But the first implant...well, it worked amazingly until it got infected. Right now, I'm not living. I'm sitting on my couch. Can't not try, you know?

First, what is UI? Good idea on the extra classes, certifications, etc. I have been studying for CCRN, so that's a start.

I am nowhere near ready to go back to work now--the migraines are horrendous, plus the pain from the scar tissue post-op(the back of my head just burns). I would love to have all of this over with--going crazy sitting at home! All of these are questions for after my next surgery, when the headaches will be gone and complicatiosn(hopefully) over with. Thanks!

I believe the program is full time. I could potentially work weekends/PT/PD during school, starting in January(once I'm healed), especially since once I'm healed, disability payments stop. If I do have to work during school,(which does have benefits--I worked during nursing school and think it was one of the best things I could have done), I'd want to work only maybe one day a week. I have 3 year old twins, study time will be minimal.

I've tried Botox--it didn't work very well. The FDA recently approved double the dose of what I had tried, so we are giving it another go, but I'm not terribly hopeful.

Hi everyone. I need some advice regarding returning to work after disability. Long story short: I've had a hell of a time. 9 years ago, I developed a migraine--and it never went away. I graduated from nursing school in 2006, and managed with this migraines until last January, when my boss told me, in careful terms, that I could go out on disability or be fired. So I went out on disability. In May, I had surgery: an occipital nerve stimulator. It all but cured my headaches. I was off all narcotics, ready to go back to work, excited...and then after 7 weeks, my implant developed a massive infection. After two surgeries, it was removed. The headaches returned almost immediately--and now, because of the nerve damage from multiple surgeries and the infection, they're worse. Because I'd been out so long, exhausted my FMLA and my short term disability, I lost my job. Thank god I paid for long term disability insurance. COBRA ain't cheap. Good news: the stimulator is going to be replaced in December, and believe me, I am counting down the days. Here's my question: how on earth do I go back to work? I left the unit on decent terms--yes, I'd had a lot of absences, but they were due to headaches--once the new implant is in and the headaches are gone, the reason for my call-ins is gone. Shouldn't have any more sick days than a "normal" nurse. That being said, I don't know if they'll hire me back. So I developed a new plan: go back to school! Critical care NP, there's a great program here...but I can't get in until May. I'll be long-healed by then...hell, I'll be healed by January...so what do I do for 5 months? See if my old job will hire me back perdiem? Try to get a new job(for 5 months???) Wait around, study, get ready for school? See if I can take classes as a non-matriculated student? Ideas, anyone?