Is my life over or just beginning again?

[letteski]

Here's my story:

I am embarking on a big decision for my life, �Back Surgery�. On October 16, 2004 I was cleaning the pine needles off my roof in Lake Tahoe. While getting down the latter kicked out and I fell 12 feet on to a cement slab on my bottom. I suffered a T-12 compression fracture and was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and a herniated disc at L-5 S-1. I am healing from the fracture but the disc pain is getting worse and now I have radiating nerve pain in my right leg.

At the age of 40, I have taught Adapted Physical Education, PE for individuals with disabilities, for the past 10 years and also worked as a Professional Ski Instructor for the past 20 year. I hold an Alpine Level III Full Certification an Adaptive Level III Full Certification as well as being an Examiner for the Adaptive Division of Professional Ski Instructors of America Western Division. I am an avid cyclist, and competed in the 24-hours of Moab 2003.

But now I am on Total Disability from work as an Adapted PE Teacher and have not been able to work or ski at Heavenly Ski Resort this year. Ten years ago I helped Heavenly develop their Adaptive Ski program and have assisted in their Instructor Training Program. My life changed in October 2004. I am terrified of spinal fusion surgery and will do what ever I can to save my mobility and get my life back.

I would like to thank all of you that have responded to my postings. I currently have an appointment with Dr Zucerman and am waiting to hear back from Bray and Reagan. Having the insurance hurtle over with my approval from Universal Health Network/Health Comp for ADR (6 months to the day of the accident) seems to be helping me get into see these specialists. This support group�s advice and experiences is invaluable to me. I look forward to your postings and support. I will keep you all posted as I continue progress towards make the biggest decision of my life.

Woke to 2 feet of new wet snow yesterday, no internet, and more on it�s way, ANS do you still want to trade?

[dmh]

I wish you all the best Paulette and I will be following your progress very closely. I am not bad enough to warrent surgery, I was, before my back problems a bike racer and grew up ski racing so I feel your pain (pain of not getting out and doing stuff). It's as if the life I've known for 20 years (I'm 31) has been turned upside down.

Is your disc too bad to warrent a micro-d? I had one in Jan 04 and had a full recovery and I think if I had not been stupid in my recovery and pushed it too soon I would be fine right now. I did not reinjure the surgical sight in terms of rehern, but now am suffering from IDD (internal disc disruption and possible annular tears) that leaves me with almost no back pain but incredible amounts of sciatica in both legs.

Anyway, don't want to poach your post with my sob story .

Good luck
ciao
dmh
ps: my sister used to live in Tahoe City and worked at Granite Cheif in Squaw, I know the area well. It must be so hard to be in such a beautiful place and not be able to get out. I am so sorry!

[biffnoble]

Paulette: Sounds beautiful!

[Harrison]

thx for your post, Paulette. I hope that all works out for you and relief is near!

[ans]

I feel for you Paulette.

I'm trained in forest ecology; I'll trade in a heartbeat. In fact, I know people who are doing studies in the Tahoe Basin. Besides, go the the upper red fir zone and it should be a drier snow.

Good luck with your search.

ans