@jorgy20 Dain,

Oh, I know how it is to wait and worry. The wait you describe is kind of typical when seeking a good specialist. This journey will take lots of patience because you can't hurry healing. Your body needs the time it needs. I understand being worried about your job too, but that is what medical leave is for. It sounds like your employer is somewhat accommodating in having you work from home as you can. This is your time to put yourself first to take care of your needs. You were offered an appointment because a doctor at Mayo thought they could help you.

For comparison... my situation was that I went to 6 surgeons before I found one who was willing to help me and he was at Mayo. The others misunderstood the symptoms and didn't want to take a chance on me. That took 2 years before I found help and was offered surgery. At that time, I was also taking care of my disabled parents and my dad was dying from end stage heart disease. That was incredibly difficult and I was in a lot of pain and doing physical work to assist them. I had cervical spinal cord compression and I would put a heat wrap on my neck and lay down. I was also grieving for my dad because I knew I was loosing him, and there was nothing that could change that. I would put on headphones and listen to music at night when I couldn't sleep. It helped me relax.

I know it's hard to be in pain. You can likely lessen some of that pain if you can stop putting pressure on yourself because you think you need to be at work with a demanding schedule. Now is your chance to stop, breathe deeply, relax and listen to music you love. Try to calm your mind and place your trust in your decision to seek care at Mayo. When you walk in the door there, you will be greeted by wonderful art that is everywhere because healing begins when you walk in the door and know that you are in a calm environment. For now, do the best you can to put yourself in a mental place like that. Distract yourself with thoughts of good things in your life that will help you escape the stress.

I got an appointment for a Mayo consult 6 weeks after sending my request because there was a cancellation. I had been told it would be about a 3 month wait to get in, but after 2 years of chasing doctors who were not going to help, that was worth the wait. I had my surgery 5 weeks later. Recovery after surgery is going to take time too and it is different for everyone. When you do have your consult, you can ask those questions about what they think your recovery time would be before returning to full duty at work with travel. There will be restrictions for lifting, twisting and bending after surgery.

What things do you like to do for fun and relaxation? Have you visited places on vacation that you're enjoyed? Looking at your pictures from past enjoyable experiences can help you now.

Jennifer