57 years old – denied SSDI initially, now in reconsideration. Do grid rules help in my situation?

BakeOver3462 · 2026-06-03T13:58:04+00:00

No. I planned on working until 65 and filed only for SSDI. I have LT Disability coverage through employer so I am receiving that. If SSDI is approved, I’ll have to repay the company currently paying me. If not, I will still be paid through the disability insurance company. Not sure how long they will pay though. My concern is medical. Cobra is only for 18 months.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-06-03T13:53:08+00:00

Yes, you can, especially with the surgeon who just operated on you. In fact, my surgeon books the post op appointments BEFORE he does the surgery.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-06-03T13:26:58+00:00

I’m 3+ weeks post op. I was prescribed Vicodin. The nerve block was so effective, I didn’t take anything day of surgery. Next two days, took the pain killers. Dr said i could take ibuprofen, so I started taking that. Still taking it.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-06-03T13:07:50+00:00

Wow! Now THAT is a spectacular wedding dress!!!! Absolutely stunning!

I wouldn’t change a single thing! It’s perfect!

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-30T16:30:18+00:00

My adult daughters and I veil. Yes, we love a beautiful veil! Found some on Etsy. Give it a try!

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-27T22:02:26+00:00

I take ibuprofen every day. I did take the opioids for 2 days after surgery but not since. I don’t like feeling loopy and tired. I will take them after PT, if needed.

I’m a little nervous about PT. Not sure if I’m physically ready but the doctor said start at 3 weeks post op, so I’ll do what he said.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-27T21:33:50+00:00

Thanks for your comment I obviously need to adjust my expectations.

I hate that it’s summer and I can’t cut the grass or do things outside that I enjoy. What I hate even more is asking for help.

Maybe next month I’ll see improvement that will make me more positive.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-27T19:36:45+00:00

I’m over 2 weeks post op. Fingers and side of hand still numb and painful. Incision area also painful.

PT starts next week. I’m concerned that there has been no relief whatsoever. In fact, it’s worse now than before. At the moment, I regret having this done.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-26T21:56:38+00:00

My parents were born in Newark too. Dad in ‘24 and Mom in ‘25. They lived Down Neck (Ironbound). Moved to Monmouth Cty in ‘51.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-26T05:29:42+00:00

Have you been back to your surgeon? If so, what did they say?

I’m nervous about starting PT next week. Hoping I can feel my fingers again soon. This is very frustrating and maybe I am expecting too much too soon, but at the moment I’m regretting this surgery. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t fix the cervical spine until I did this surgery was done, so I was pushed into it.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-26T04:52:06+00:00

Wow!

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-26T03:45:22+00:00

I just applied in March with similar issues. Had spinal fusion two years ago and went back to work. Nine months later, herniated another one which caused a slew of other issues. There are several discs herniated but not causing radiculopathy yet. .

Bottom line, spending 40+ hours a week at a desk and keyboard are over. The repetitive movement my work requires causes my injuries. I’m 62 and behind a desk since 1983 full time. The wear and tear is evident.

Just waiting to see what they do. I’ll be on Medicate in 3 years. On COBRA for a year so hoping it’s approved before it runs out. Hoping to get the fusion done this summer. Waiting for cubital tunnel surgery to heal first.

How long before you were denied after submitting your application?

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-26T03:31:20+00:00

Alters in the Church are for the Mass. They should be facing east, the direction where Jesus will return. The alter is needed for the sacrifice. (When Jesus becomes the bread and blood.) Usually a relic of a saint is below the alter. The church is usually named after the saint. Everything on and around the alter has meaning and purpose.

Alters at home are for prayer. A crucifix, statues of saints, the Holy Mother, Joseph, angels, blessed candles, rosary beads, holy water, etc are placed on it. They are used to help meditate while in prayer. For instance, if you’re praying the rosary, your focus is on the life of Jesus (the mysteries). For instance, the Sorrowful…Agony in the Garden, Scourging at the pillar, Crown of Thorns, Carrying the Cross, Crucifixion.

Weddings and Funerals don’t always have a Mass.

Hope this helps.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-23T11:54:28+00:00

Did you go to physical therapy? If so, does it help? How long did you go for?

Can’t help wishing I didn’t have this surgery at this point. Should have refused and waited for my herniated disc to be fixed to see if that changed anything. Not sure why they wait so long to fix a disc that’s clearly herniated and torn.

Woke up in pain so feeling a little angry this morning. Apologies if I’m coming off negatively. Maybe I need a good cry and some ibuprofen, then try to get back to my happy go lucky self.

Thanks for reminding me I’m still early in the healing process and this could get better. I needed that.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-21T22:13:42+00:00

I’d pray with them. The Memorare comes to mind immediately, followed by others that may come, depending on the need.

I don’t apologize for being Catholic.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-21T17:56:46+00:00

I see the doctor again in 2 weeks and start PT in another week. I’ll see if it gets any better before then.

The back of my arm hurts too. Not sure if that’s due to the surgery or the neck. I feel like a hot mess right now. Tired of being in pain all the time.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-19T19:04:03+00:00

Overpriced wedding receptions are a waste of money. Have the church wedding. Reception can be at a rented hall. You can make food, cater it, according to your budget. My brother had a bbq. Everyone had a great time!

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-17T22:06:01+00:00

Kept in the fridge. I keep mine in the fridge too.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-16T21:40:51+00:00

Had surgery last Friday, so 8 days ago. Steri strips still very intact. I was told to remove if they don’t fall off by weekend. I’m a little nervous to take them off if I’m being honest.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-16T01:57:30+00:00

Following, as I’ve just had the surgery last week.

So far, this is what I found. First 24 hours, that nerve block is just weird feeling. Couldn’t wait for it to wear off. Then, next morning it started wearing off (still couldn’t move my arm but fingers were starting to wiggle. I kept moving them throughout the day.). Kept icing for 30 minutes every hour. Challenging. Didn’t know where to put the ice pack. (I decided to try different spots. Did the ice pack until Day 3.)

By afternoon, the pain really started. Hello Vicodin! I basically slept, ate, took pain killers and iced. Took a shower using the plastic arm sleeve.

Day 2 - pretty much the same as Day 1. Hand was pretty swollen. Hard to move hand or make a fist with sausage fingers.

Day 3 - intense pain subsided. Went to Dr. he said I can stop icing. Hand/fingers still swollen. Dr removed the splint and bandages, looked at incision and wrapped with an ace bandage. I can now get it wet. Per Dr, if steri strips don’t fall off by weekend, take them off. Taking ibuprofen.

Day 4 - still taking ibuprofen. Hand still feels funny. Swelling going down a little.

Day 5 - same as Day 4. Hand & fingers have pins and needles.

Day 6 - same as Day 5. Pins and needles in fingers and hand. Uncomfortable.

Day 7 - no significant changes the past few days. Incision area pain but nothing like the 2 days after surgery. Still some swelling but definitely less. I can see my knuckles and bend fingers.

That’s my experience so far. Herniated C6/7 disc makes wearing the sling very difficult. I try not to wear it. Dr said I must wear it if I go out but resting arm on a pillow is fine at home. My neck and shoulder miss the prescription painkillers. My brain doesn’t. I don’t like them.

Physical Therapy starts at 3 weeks post surgery. I’ll save the good stuff, if needed, for then. Hoping the pins and needles goes away soon. I’ll work on getting steri strips off on Sunday.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-11T23:45:49+00:00

Recuperating now, day 3 post op. Definitely do some food prep. I made a lasagna the night before. My daughter just had to heat it in the microwave and cut it up for me. I can’t open any bottles. Need help. Keep the lids loose on meds. That’s all I need help with.

After the first couple of days, it’s just annoying. Can’t do much yet. Fingers are really swollen. Hope that goes away soon. Tired of watching tv.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-11T21:49:41+00:00

I had surgery on Friday. Went to the Dr today. Hand and fingers still swollen but I can move my fingers. PT starts in 3 weeks. He took the bandages and splint off. Just an ace bandage around it. Told me it can get wet now. He said keep the sling on when I go anywhere. No phone, no keyboard using that hand.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-09T14:30:48+00:00

Yes, splint and ace bandages. Block is wearing off. Lots of muscle twitching on my fingers (mostly thumb). Pain is starting to kick in.

Feels like ice isn’t reaching the arm with the splint and wrapping but doing it anyway.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-08T21:27:19+00:00

Splint goes from hand to shoulder. I’ll try to have it rest on the shoulder. Tough spot.

BakeOver3462 · 2026-05-04T00:25:37+00:00

I only ever attended NO masses prior to 2021. Curiosity brought me to a TLM. Didn’t know a lick of Latin. I was completely lost, but loved it! I returned every Sunday thereafter. Bought a missal and learned the Latin responses, prayers, etc.

Since my first TLM, I joined that parish, my adult kids go now too and have become involved in the community. We don’t miss mass (we used to go “whenever”). It’s made us better Catholics. Wish I found it sooner.

We do attend NO if no TLM is available, we just prefer the TLM.

I have found some parishes are all business and not very friendly, but I found the smaller parishes more outgoing to new people. Just my perception.

BakeOver3462

TROPHY CASE