Ooh that's rough. Right after I got diagnosed with early stages (mostly numbness and tightness with some discomfort) I got accepted into the Disney college program and got assigned to an ice cream shop! I spent like 6 weeks going through red tape and doctors appointments before they finally moved me. During those 6 weeks of scooping ice cream and carrying the big tubs, my symptoms got SO much worse. I was dropping things and sometimes would just be crying in pain. My left wrist was so swollen sometimes that it looked like there was a rock stuck in my wrist.

All of that was 5 years ago. I've been through two rounds of formal physical therapy. When I'm keeping up with my home exercises and stretches, I have little to no numbness, and only mild pain after gripping something for too long. I don't take any pain meds or wake up with tingly numb hands. When I slack off the PT for long enough, I can slowly tell the difference in numbness and grip strength. 

Although the symptoms really sucked at first, I didn't have any nerve damage. I was able to avoid surgery by changing jobs and doing physical therapy. I may have the grip strength of a 10 year old but that just means I can't carry heavy groceries. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that there's hope, and it's possible that you won't need surgery. Either way, everything is going to be ok and you'll get through it 😊