United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am torn as what to do with the possible upcoming surgery.
This is my dilema, I may have the surgery as soon as late october but this puts me directly in the middle of my final semester of college.

Should I wait till I graduate this semester then do it in late december or january?

On one hand I have had this injury for 28 years a few more months wouldnt hurt.

On the other hand I see a light at the end of the tunnel and want the operation as soon as possible, I am ready for a change.

Deep down I know the sensible conclusion would be to wait, but I feel why wait take life as it comes and do the surgery asap.

Well I probably sound like a spoiled brat, but..well...oh who knows LOL

Frankie

Hey Frankie, I Am TBPI but I am 24 & in college still too so I can TOTALLY understand this! Have you talked with Shenaq at all about the recovery time? When I had my scar tissue removed and nerve graph done, I think I only missed 2 classes. Then when I Had another nerve tansfer done last september, I flew to Houston on Thursday, surgery Friday, home on Sunday and in class on Monday! It can be done! Just a thought! Tell Shenaq youe concerns and see what he has to say, the know best when it comes to things like this!! I wish you all the best, with the arm & school! What are you studying?

Courtney

Frankie, dont let anything come in the way of finishing college (just my personal opinion). Courtney did really well after her surgery but what if you don't feel that great and can't return that soon? I think you need to do it in a time when you won't be stressed, so your body has time to heal and you can do the therapy you need to do, etc. Of course, this is just my 2 cents, you know yourself best and know what your needs are. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I have been in your shoes, sort of: At the middle of one of my first semester senior year in college I became very ill. Unless your injury is actually interfering with your classwork, then I would strongly urge that you postpone the surgery until after the term. If you have the surgery in October, you will miss alot of classtime and the benefit of preparing for exams and such with classmates and current faculty assistance. Rather you may find that you will return to next semester with incomplete work, which you will have to complete largely independently.

So I would complete this term. Have the surgery at the end of the term with no worry of academics, so you can focus only on your recovery. Also while I can empathize with the excitement you feel in wanting the surgery as soon as possible, there is also the element of your grades. After you have your surgery, your BPI may no longer be an enduring aspect of your life, but no matter what your circumstances your grades will always endure. If you have the surgery in October and if your grades suffer, next year or five years from now, when you are applying to graduate school you may find yourself annoyingly explaining that blip in your undergrad record....

All the best. Wishing you in advance an excellent and spedy recovery.

Bless,

Been there

PS: YOu do not sound like a spoiled brat at all. Your concern is very valid, and you are very wise to seek advice.

Been There has a good point. Don't forget that there is a lot of rehabilitation after this therapy - you need to be very actively involved in retraining your body and mind to use the changed muscles. But you might also have to wait awhile before anything happens.

Your best bet is to talk to your doctor about what your recovery might look like and don't forget to plan in rehab and therapy time into the schedule. It might make sense to do surgery sooner so that you have time to focus on the rehab after you graduate.

Kate

I think that I know katep well enough to correct her. Throw me into the fire, but I am pretty sure that Katep did not mean to say: "It might make sense to do surgery sooner so that you have time to focus on the rehab after you graduate."... But "It might make sense to do surgery LATER so that you have time to focus on the rehab after you graduate."

katep is one of the most informed contributors to this forum and apologize if I am wrong in making this correction.

Apparently I wasn't very clear in my post.

I meant to say, it might make sense to do the surgery sooner OR later, it depends on when the main part of the rehabilitation and therapy is expected to occur. This might be right away, or maybe there is going to have to be a significant wait before anything "happens".

I think it is really smart you are thinking of all these different factors. Talk to your doctor about what your recovery should "look" like, and see what makes the most sense for fitting in everything - surgery recovery, school, *and* rehab.

Kate

Hey Frankie, it was great to talk to you tonight! you can do it!!!!

Court xx

I think most professors are understanding and will allow extra time for students who really need it and if you need to stay in school and extra sememster I think it is still worth it.

I say talk it over with you counselor at school, take fewer classes if you have to and just do it.

Frankie, I sympathize with your tough decision here. I also suggest talking to your surgeon and expressing your concerns. Find out about recovery and therapy time needed to recover. This will help you decide if you can dedicate all that time to your arm while finishing your studies.

I know you are so very excited about your upcoming surgery, I am so excited for you too.....It's great! Just make sure that whenever you choose the surgery you also have the very important time to dedicate to your body for it's best recovery potential!

Good Luck to you Frankie and I wish you much success in both your studies and your surgery!

Lenni