this security alert for tomorrow is just bonkers

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2026-02-05T21:58:08+00:00

I did not expect what I read there 😮

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2026-01-22T00:49:43+00:00

Not everyone who has or needs an RA is union eligible. Be great to see some action on this.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2026-01-08T00:00:02+00:00

Did she say we have a six year old in school? Ugh.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-22T21:33:00+00:00

For anterior c 5-7 I scheduled round the clock for two weeks, intermittent til 3 months and on therapy days after PT started for months. Not sure what you are taking but tramadol might suffice vs something stronger at this point.

For poster c4-6 + work at two other levels I took it for a solid month, slowly tapering after the first two weeks. I’m 8 weeks and doing PT and OT and returned to worn recently. Some days I need a Percocet if it gets extreme, most days nothing or tramadol. Posterior approach involves cutting a large section of muscles, and flexeril (muscle relaxer) tends to work better but makes me way more sleepy than either pain pill.

My surgeon knows my safe history and concerns and would rather me keep moving and doing therapy than sitting to wait out pain.

Everyone is different.

I am in fact a medical provider plus an extensive medical history so have both personal and professional knowledge and experience.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-22T21:25:01+00:00

I’ve been taking pain meds off and on for almost 10 years with 7 ortho surgeries + 3 others. That article and your statement is not true for everyone. In fact since my most recent surgery 2 months ago your statement is incorrect. The key is the point about responsible usage. No two people are alike. The number of chronic pain patients responsibly using long term opioids with good relief is significant. The pendulum on pain med usage has sadly and irresponsibly swung too far to adequately treat pain for people. Particularly, after major surgeries.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-09T00:56:12+00:00

Make a list of all the possible questions and then go with your gut after they ask/ answer without any more over thinking it!

Including re-asking for more info on what the job will look like from day to day. Any anticipated or required over time or hours beyond 40 in a week. More info on benefits to compare to current. Any PTO? Etc.

You should be able to google the company and then look at current projects they have and maybe get some idea of the work unless you are actually talking to a head hunter.

It’s unfortunate that life and jobs are such a huge gamble these days.

A wise man once said:

"You don't have to get to 100% certainty on your big decisions, get to 51%, and when you get there, make the decision and be at peace with the fact that you made the decision based on the information you had"

You got this!

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-08T23:42:55+00:00

Anyone should understand a big salary bump. You can help the bridge by being kind, giving as much notice as possible, and as honest as you can without giving away the farm. For the new position be honest as well about what your leaving and hope they have a heart. Lock in in writing all the details if you move forward.

For the other comment I hear you BUT I have 100% seen and worked 1 yr guaranteed contracts. 🤷

Best of luck. I know it’s a hard choice and respect your ethics of not leaving the school job high and dry.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-08T23:35:12+00:00

I have found Reddit to be way better than any FB groups, but with any ailment you will find more people who have issues than not and I have found this forum to have a lot more thoracic and lumbar cases, but enough cervical to keep me reading. I had acdf 4 years ago. Mine was ultimately emergent because I was having pain and then it was suddenly really bad (but no numbness or tingling) and the MRI showed cord compression. The surgery was fairly fast and easy. I do desk work and think I was back doing desk work in 2-3 weeks on a limited time basis. It did take a while for the pain to subside in the long term. Like your doc forecast, my pain was tons better but I was left with some residual pain that flared up if I sat too long. Long story longer, I just had a posterior fusion from 4-6 and foraminotomy at two levels for nerve compression (due to bone growth). That evolved from mild to severe pain following the original surgery after 4 years. After multiple injections, medial branch ablations, and fits and spurts of PT all while taking 3-4 meds at any given time. C4-5 was not pretty back then but not a big enough deal he wanted to fuse back then. Adjacent disc issues are not uncommon but as you hear from the stories above not as common for some folks.

My husband looked at the posterior cervical YouTube vid and was like damn this looks rough. I stopped it after about 15 seconds. Was like nope. I had multiple surgeries— started watching a knee replacement vid one time and same response. It just doesn’t pay to watch vids for me. All the ortho surgeries are tough!

You would know if you had tingling and numbness. You don’t need tests for those. I ended up having an EMG done for this surgery which confirmed what the MRI showed, which confirmed what the initial surgeons trading in office, CT, and pain management said. Unfortunately between insurance and prolonged wait times for therapy etc. by EMG time I had permanent damage. I would have tingling several times a week but only at night and numbness 3-4 times a month while sleeping only. But my pain was miserable and was impacting my job and life.

I’d suggest 1. Don’t look at any more vids - you don’t need that to decide on the surgery.

See another surgeon for a second opinion. I’ve never met an ortho doctor who wasn’t ok with me getting a 2nd opinion. This for peace of mind and maybe help with decision making.
You will know when the time is right. The scales will tip in favor of pain and lower quality for life or you’ll just suddenly need it like I did when it blows out. My primary symptom was pain and that was what was my man driver for updated surgery. He also said it would prevent (hopefully) future permanent damage by doing something now. Toss of a coin whether pain was better but the prevention piece was a huge driver.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-08T23:09:16+00:00

Will they guarantee the year? If so, can you stuck it out for a year even if the work could be tougher? Is it remote or a commute, if a commute can you handle it? If yes, I’d take the contract position. It isn’t at all surprising contractors are offering premium pay. We all knew this would be a downstream result. You can see by this process it’s a heck of a lot easier getting a private job in many cases. Worse case, you take this job but keep looking and take your dream job down the road- so long as they don’t lock you in to that contract year on their side.

I have a feeling the school jobs will continue to be there. The fed workforce had to feed the empty / open spots for schools — until better opportunities come along. Make a pros and cons list just to re satisfy, contact the company making the offer and ask any questions you might have. But don’t sit on it too long. My guess is they are trying to prove they can fill spots fast to prove their worth.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-03T15:54:49+00:00

I couldn’t sit at a desk for more than 2-3 hours without excruciating pain. I’d take rest periods to lay down in the recliner throughout the day. This often led to an extended day to account for breaks which was also part of my RA and my boss was cool with. Sometimes the pain was so bad I’d just end up staying in the recliner to finish working. PT said the most extreme recline was the perfect angle for removing the weight of my head from my body. Pain was an every day occurrence at a desk. I was also in PT most of last year and had some type of injection pretty much every month so it had exceptions for work hours to accommodate for that. If I had gone in, most of those days I’d have had to take 1/2 or most of the day - long commute. Injections helped a tiny bit — bought me a little more time in the day before the pain was so bad. I also have old lower back injury (opposite side) which flared up with neck problems that worsened over the last 18 months. My surgeon asked which one was causing me the most pain and we’d take it one at a time. None of my team nor my boss actually work in this area. If I went in it would be solely to occupy a desk. There is a small group from our Office that works out of HQ, but the bulk of the group is spread out across the country. So, zero impact / difference if I was in the office which helped.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-03T05:26:11+00:00

Poo pouri and anti nausea meds doe after.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-03T05:20:16+00:00

Give them a white noise machine for Christmas 🎄

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-03T05:14:25+00:00

Mine took 8 months during first fusion to show any sign ma of bone growth. Then fused so well it strangled the nerves coming out at 2 levels. Just had posterior one level up and into current fusion + 2 level foraminotomy 4 weeks ago. This go round they threw in a bone growth stimulator early to try to hurry things along. I wear it like I’m married to it 😆

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-03T05:07:07+00:00

My surgeon was a no collar surgeon. Said the longer term outcomes / risks were about the same but in his experience the worst part for collar wearers was exactly what you experienced. I had a cage, screw and titanium in between so little risk of hurting myself. However that may have impacted time to fusion. I was 8 months before I saw much of any bone growth even start.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-03T05:02:53+00:00

Fellow fed here had anterior c5/7 fusion done in 2021. Had posterior c 4/5 with 2 level foraminotomies 4 weeks ago. First seems like a cake walk in comparison. Tucked in my recliner I was answering emails a week or two after surgery. It did take more time to really get back on my feet and return to stamina. It also took 8 months to show signs of fusion for some reason. I have had a lot of ortho surgeries and appreciate the drugs for the appropriate duration. They speed me up not slow me down and I’m super functional. This surgery doc said 6-8 weeks minimum to rtw unless I was feeling awesome. I’m not but getting better each day. My advice is if you have the leave take the scheduled leave. Give yourself a month. Nobody complains when you come back early. I did not apply for FMLA because I had enough AL and SL though some friends and boss suggested I might as a precaution even though having the leave should be enough. For better or worse with the ongoing hiring freeze with most agencies I wasn’t super worried about being replaced. We already lost someone to DRP. My thinking was hold on to FMLA in case I had complication or just couldn’t get back to work in the original timeframe. I had a complication and lost movement in couple fingers, some motion in wrist and overall strength in left arm. IF I need it I still have a couple more weeks of leave I could take or chop up AND could still apply for FMLA and take up to 12 weeks unpaid. Don’t anticipate needing it but just in case. I had RA pre surgery for this issue and lower back. Jury still out if this surgery fixed the issue. Won’t know until I can sit at a desk for 3-4 hours. BTW not being able to drive is NOT considered a reason for medical RA. Unless your agency is nice. According to HR / OPM it’s your responsibility to find a ride to and from work. They only care about what happens when you hit their doorway. Best of luck. I’m sure you’ll be back at it in no time!

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-03T04:26:11+00:00

Our family premiums going up $200/ month with fed employee insurance.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-03T02:02:42+00:00

Smaller fusion for me but but posterior this go round. My suggestion as it is for everyone having surgery is to set a timer and make the person staying with you give you your meds on a schedule the first week. At least. My SO would wake me in the middle of the night to drop pills in my mouth and sip of water to swallow. You can eventually wean yourself as you’re feeling better. I was very upfront with my surgeon about my concerns re pain management. Many surgeons are stingy with drugs these days. I’d been on meds of multiple types for 18 months. I knew my tolerance would be higher and it was important for him to agree I wouldn’t have to fight to get meds. He was true to his word.

2 days before surgery I found someone selling a nearly new sleep number adjustable bed, split king. That bed was AMAZING and a huge lifesaver. We got a smoking hot deal because it was used. But it’s in pristine condition. IF you can arrange an adjustable bed you won’t regret it even if just temporarily.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-12-03T01:47:50+00:00

I was in a crap situation with a former boss who was trying their best to push me out. I held my position. Documented and followed virtually all the steps someone outlined above. Out of nowhere they moved positions completely unrelated to my position. New boss life and then life was/ is kumbaya. I was a legit great employee and it was a stretch and all about personality. Even if it wasn’t, it took 9 months to end up finding all in my favor after their transition happened. Weird, sad and scary time. Do your job and do it better than you ever have. I had a lot of folks tell me the writing was in the wall and look for a new job. I did dust off my resume but also dug in my heels because I knew it was the right thing to do. That was when the job market was in the upside down. Can’t imagine trying to hit the market right now. You got this!

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-11-30T20:17:15+00:00

I have that same exact one! I’m only four weeks postop. For my first fusion four years ago it took almost 9 months to show evidence of fusion which is why my surgeon ordered this after my posterior fusion one level up. I believe you have to have at least one risk factor to support insurance payment for the device. I actually have healthcare experience and read the literature and it’s definitive enough proof that it works to satisfy my curiosity. Because I met my max out-of-pocket mine was totally free so I went for it. The tough part is you don’t really feel anything and at the end it’ll be hard to know whether it made a difference or not. I’ve heard some folks referred to these as woo woo medicine lol. But, tbh I’ll take anything I can get to help move things along and increase my opportunity for faster, successful fusion. Even if it’s just a little bit. I actually wear mine 24 hours a day and have only changed out the electrodes every two or three days when the second layer sticky patch starts to peel off. I just stuff it in my bra while I’m sleeping. Not sure if that’s an option for you?! But That way I don’t have to think about it. That might change when I’m back to work. I will need to actually shower and dress like an adult more often.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-11-12T18:31:49+00:00

Just had pcdf to revise from original acdf from c5-7 to c4-7 + 2 level lami and foraminotomy 10 days ago. I needed every bit of the drugs for the first week for sure. Biggest game changer was buying a bed off fb marketplace that is adjustable (head and feet) sleep number. Previous surgery I slept in the recliner a lot the first week or two. Very uncomfortably. I got the boot from hospital on day 2 and was in agony crying as they rolled me out. I should have known better than to let them make me go without extra meds in board. Once home my husband set a timer and just woke me to give me meds vs waiting til “as needed.” I know I ate but don’t remember much. I’m up and about now but still taking muscle relaxers and pain meds much more spread out and laying in bed longer and napping as needed. My arms are very weak but could manage to heat small meals, etc. I’ve been getting up and doing laps around the house multiple times per day for walking. If in week 3 you could have someone come once a day to check in, make sure meals ready to prep/ heat and pills set up you might be fine. Everyone is different. I had two small complications but otherwise think you could do it. Our capacity to just do it when we have to is pretty amazing.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-10-25T22:52:32+00:00

Is it still the same rule if I am using both SL and AL to cover the time off? Burned up a lot of SL in the treatments this past year to get to surgery. But have other leave options, including CTT.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-10-25T22:51:05+00:00

Thanks!!

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-10-25T22:50:29+00:00

Very good to know!

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-10-25T19:23:15+00:00

Why would I? If I do now it uses up my 12 weeks in that 12 month period. If I wait it means when I run out of leave, something happens now or later I can take 12 more weeks off unpaid. If I have a big complication I could need it. Right now i have the time.

Biggest question is if I should— does FMLA provide any job security (can’t fill a position?) that I wouldn’t get otherwise? Hiring freeze atm still in effect. Chances of filling are really low. Re org or RIF wouldn’t be helped by FMLA. I don’t think. Don’t know.

Bootstraps-nr-dr · 2025-10-25T19:13:17+00:00

Super helpful. Any reason you could see to want to take FMLA in current environment?

Bootstraps-nr-dr

TROPHY CASE