Man, I really hope you find some kind of relief. I'm in a similar situation with my neck. Lucky for me the epidural blocks work.

 

I hope all goes well for you bones. If your looking for a job involving driving, maybe look into getting a cdl. Trucks are getting pretty comfortable now a days, and automatics are getting better too if you dont want to be fussing with a clutch and 9 to 13 gears all day. Local Kenworth dealer dropped off a demo at work few weeks ago. Very easy truck to drive (6 speed allison auto made it quite fast unloaded), quite comfortable too. air ride rocks

 

I am strongly considering getting a CDL permit(then a company can train me), but the cost is more than I can swing with my soon-to-be-cut budget...

 

Yea im not looking forward to that when i get mine. For Class A I think it will be around 200-400 just for testing and license (I believe its two weeks driving before the roadtest). For now though I would recommend heading to your local dmv and pick up the book so you have some reading material, just to be ready. You can possibly get lucky and get a company that will pay for everything except the licensing fees (which depend on wjat class you go for). When i go for mine I pay the licensing fee but they cover the dot physical and all that. Class B will get you the ability to drive most straight jobs and dumps over 26k.

If anything def get the handbook (le free) and inquire about the fees for testing and license, just so you have your ducks in a row in case it comes down to it

 

Well, guys, I'm less than three days away... Im getting the final arrangements made, and loose projects buttoned up, and prepping for the operation...

 

for your engine transplant or the back operation??

We'll discuss over lunch tomorrow....

 

One day at a time and let the world come to you, don't try to force it.
A suggestion, to pass time away while you are laid up rather than being frustrated when I went through that portion of recovery. There were a whole lot of movies I had not seen due to the pressures of trying to earn a living and pay bills etc. etc. Cable T.V. with the Turner net work got a lot of eye contact during that time and all those movies I never saw I finally got time to see them. That and books relating to my hobby got read, some for the first time, a lot again!

 

Well. It's done, too late for anyone to talk me out of it... I'm in the worst pain I've ever felt, but I take some comfort in knowing that it'll be temporary, as my back heals up... I bought a couple of used PS3 games to play in the times where I can't really move... Hopefully, the drugs prescribed to me will diminish that time somewhat

 

Good to hear you're on the road to recovery, man. Be sure to do your PT. That is key to recovery. Too many people say it hurts too much, and stop going. That's a huge mistake. You gotta muster through it. I started my PT at home ahead of schedule for my torn rotator cuffs. The therapist told me to stop doing so much at home, it was making him look bad! My wife started her PT and recovery from all 7 of her back surgeries on time. They had her up and walking within 12 hours of each one. Movement is key to recovery.

 

Well I take your addition to this thread as a positive step towards a better life. I think a few of us can say "Been there, done that!"
As to the meds? Pain killers are there to help restore a normal life. A new normal, but what can be called normal. Opiate pain killers are nothing to be afraid of!!! It is not the use of them that is a problem it is the abuse of them that is one. There is only one person in control of that action. I have a prescription that dictates how they are to be used and have a track record of over 15 years of using them. The prescription says 3 a day of 10 mg of Oxycodone, so 90 pills over 30 days. That is the limit. It says as needed. That is not a lot in the world of reality but it is enough to keep the pain under control and have a life. It does something else, it lets me build a stash, something to be used when I really do something stupid that my back should not be subject to, such as go out to do major work on my Saturn. I am painting it again. The stash lets me keep the pain under control when I over do things. The stash exists because on normal days I do not need 30 mg of oxycodone. I am control of how it is done and every 30 days I get my prescription filled. I also have a prescription for 5 mg/day for methadone. Over the counter pain meds became ineffective 16 or 17 years ago.
The point? I get awfully tired of hearing people go ballistic about the use of prescribed opiate pain killers. Pain hurts and I deserved to have a life like everyone else does. The only rule I have to worry about is no alcohol. If that is discovered the pain killers will disappear permanently so once again I am in control of how my life must exist. If I want to be able to mess with my automobiles on a regular basis (my life of choice) I have to keep things under control. End of soap box lecture.
Welcome to the new normal! As to the PT, my Valerie enjoys that! I tolerate it but and there is always a but, she went through a double lung transplant and came out the other side in very good condition because she is active on performing her PT!
Another symptom of your new normal.
Welcome back to "NORMAL!" . It ain't perfect but it never was. If I could get another back operation to correct the damage accumulated over the last decade or so I would, but they tell me I am too old! Dang! But another functional part of my normal and I have another engine to build and 2 more cars too.
I find it interesting to note that the Saturn Forum is still a working forum that has the respect of a lot of users despite the fact Saturn as a working company has died! But there has been a new thread developing that covers medical problems of the members which seems to be an important facet to keep enough people around to further enjoy the pleasure that is derived from owning and maintaining those dogone cars. The computer I lost about a year ago also lost my access to the professional mechanics diagnostics I had for service and repair. It was a good package now gone. The loss of that frankly hurts worse than my back. Granted one was physical the other mental but the frustration level is higher as I don't have a pill to take to make it easier to deal with the loss. Oh well, no one said my new normal was perfect.
I've rambled on enough. Fingers are crossed in the hopes the next few weeks are going to be productive for you. Everyone and thing is different and saying that I have been there and done that is not necessarily the best answer to give but then again I have and still am. Gotta go, Project Linus day, where I go down to the blanket "Bee" to pick up this months blankets for delivery and there will be a buffet today so I get a chance to eat and flirt with the ladies. It's a tough job but some one has to do it. One of the advantages of my "NEW NORMAL"
Awfully glad you have taken the next step. Hang in and stay in touch!
Cheers
John