Student Needs Surgery

itsnowornever, BSN, RN · Aug 31, 2012

Can you have a block done to decrease the pain until December?

Gaelros · Aug 31, 2012

Nope, they won't do a block that high. Space is too narrow from the herniation and they are concerned about more damage.

FlyingScot, RN · Aug 31, 2012

Sorry for what you're going through. Even more sorry when I tell you that I had a C5-C6 discectomy and fusion. You will not be able to perform in clinicals for at least 6 weeks but probably longer even without complications. You might be able to go back to school in 1-2 weeks but even that is pushing it. The surgical pain takes a minimum of 3 months to finally go away and it's pretty tough. I was not allowed to drive for 8 weeks. They needed radiological proof that the graft was fused before they released me to drive. I would not push it. The possible complications can be dire. Personally, having gone through this, I would check your school's policy on medical leave and consider pushing your graduation date back. I didn't go back to work for 6 weeks and then was on light duty for another 4 before I was deemed safe to perform normal nursing activities and I'm not a weenie.

KatieMI, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 31, 2012

YOUR HEALTH COMES FIRST AND STAYS FIRST.

Period.

With this, you come to the your Dean (or whoever is the big boss in your place) and explain your situation in plain English. Bring your doctor's notes, just in case. With symptoms you describe your surgery shouldn't be considered as "purely elective" which can be postponed for half a year.

Believe me, the very last thing your instructor(s) EVER would like to see is a student compromicing a patient's safety, for whatever reason. If your hands become weaker and you drop somebody or something, it will be way more trouble for them than re-arranding your schedule.

puravidaLV · Aug 31, 2012

Hi graduated student here with a herniated disk in the L4-l5 L5-S1 that was 18mm and 6mm Let me go ahead and tell you what your in for if you wait.

I am sure you got the MRI already, but here is mine. its nice and pretty and now my desktop:

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k156/csingham/photo.jpg

Anyways mine happened on Dec 24th, and for weeks I was told it was muscle spasms that were not controlled. My doctor sent me to a chiropractor which did nothing, so I went to another one which was closer and he even did an xray (which wouldn't show anything anyways) and proceeded to rack up the bill I refuse to pay. I started my last semester of nursing school where I got my bachelors and had to use a cane for the first week.

Some how I got lucky enough (sarcasim) to get home health as my clinical and had no luck changing it to something easier like school nursing or a quick clinic. I had to make do so I was one of two people who volunteered for hospice (glad I did). Come preceptorship I got placed on an orthopedic medical surgical floor where i had the choice of days or nights, I took nights with the hope I didn't have to turn anyone (a gamble that paid off), but lost out on getting ICU or ER experience as I wanted. Yet, I made it to gradation which was three months ago.

Right after graduation I studied (in major pain by now) for the NCLEX and failed. I couldn't sit for hours of studying with out standing up and being crooked. My left hip would kick out and my body would tilt right.

so lets recap I took on six months of pain with no medications and failed the nclex so I had to get a job. I got a p/t job standing at a ticket booth which little did I know would tail spin me to almost being incontinent due to a herniated disk. My wife became full time at her work and I became insured. The next day I went to my primary who got me the MRI which lead me to my neurosuergon which gave me a 50 minute lumbar laminotomy which was last thursday.

As of today I am 8 months of this experience and the pain is GONE. I no longer: walk with a limp, walk in pain, tweek out my body, can cross my legs without major cursing, I can walk my dogs, my quality of life has improved, and I can retake the NCLEX knowing that the answer won't be based off of me wanting just to get out of their test pain free.

Class just started....take the semester off. Pain free isn't something that should be taken granted for. I have a high threhold of pain, so much that my primary and neurosuergon wondered how I made it that long without an MRI, walking, and ect. Hell I have 152 Hydromorphone pills that was prescribed to me after the surgery in which I have 130 left. I haven't taken anything for pain in three days now.

Don't wait to get this done Its not worth it.

peanutsauce · Aug 31, 2012

I agree with others: your well-being comes first!

This is such a tough situation to be faced with so close to the end of your program. Don't put yourself through more pain, and the daily potential of more damage - have the surgery as soon as you can arrange it. As for talking to your instructors/dean.. I would first talk with your doctor and have him/her advocate on your behalf in writing. Take that letter to your instructors, and be frank about it.

Worst-case scenario, you graduate slightly later, and have to repeat this semester. You've worked so HARD up until this point and you deserve to finish strong, rather than compromise your own health.

Best of luck!

Nolli · Sep 1, 2012

When you get on a plane they do the safety briefing and tell you about floating cushions and oxygen masks. They specifically say to put on you own before helping someone else with theirs. Pain is your body's way of saying slow down/something is wrong; listen to it and take care of yourself 1st.