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Theresa - tclause@onboces.org
Posted 2007-03-04
I'm a special education teacher. I was injured last spring when I was kicked by a student in the pelvic area (the student; 14 years old; was on the floor of a bus and kicked upwards with both feet.) The feet made contact with my pelvic bone and back toward my buttocks. I fell backwards and hit the wheel well of the bus landing on my back and rear end! Of course I was sore but as the week end continued it became clear that it was a bit more than sore. My lower back was killing me and it was very difficult to walk let alone sit.
They X-rayed the lower back area and gave me some pain killers saying it was degenerative disc. However I explained I could sit fine before the kick!! Months later the pain was so severe I could not sit for more than 10 minutes. Getting up from a sitting position is even worse. My left leg has a shooting pain and gives out without warning.
I had a bone scan that showed a problem with the coccyx and inflammation in the pelvic area (no wonder a kick could have that effect!!). I went to a neurologist and he did an internal (ouch!! not to mention embarrassing even though he does that sort of thing I don't on a regular basis !!).
He said I need to have it (the tailbone) removed. He said it would be a 10 min. operation and a 3 week recovery. I'm a little confused after reading through the stories. I can not afford to be off work for months. I have a family and responsibilities (mortgage, car, etc.). Not to mention the progress I have made with said student that would be on a giant skid backwards!!! I am petrified of needles and my sister had a very bad reaction that landed her in ICU after a cortisone shot, and from what I've read the relief is only temporary. Not worth the risk as far as I'm concerned. Is the surgeon way off here? Thoughts??