Okay folks so this is it we are getting close. I’m scheduled for my surgery this Friday. I have to travel out of state, as most do here so anxious about that. Not thrilled that I have to fly and don’t have that much time to recoup prior to flying home but not much I can do there. We just moved across country and had a hurricane 4 days later and my husband had started a new job and asked for the time off prior to starting so we didn’t want to ask for too much time. I did manage to get a direct flight to and from and I did ask for assistance to and from the gate, just in case. No clue what to expect. My nerves are a wreck. Normal I know but, phew! I will be getting both sides externally removed at the same time. I know it won’t be easy but at least it will be done. I am worried about going back to work Dr said about 2 weeks yikes! Seems aggressive but we shall see. Just gotta get through the nerves and get this behind me. Thanks to everyone on here for all your support to get me to this point. Honest to God not sure if I could’ve done it without you all. For anyone going to UNC for surgery and having to travel, just a heads up I was able to get a tremendous discount from the hospital by calling med stay the hospital gave me the number. I Wont know surgery time on Friday until Thursday. Part of me has said to stay off of here because I’m nervous but I could use all the positive energy and prayers anyone wants to throw my way. 
Honestly, I’m excited for you! 
Recovery isn’t fun but it’s so awesome to notice symptoms disappearing one by one as the nerves heal, even if the process is slow.
I’ve had you & @KoolDude on my mind for the last 2 days, @Ddmarie! You’ll both be in surgery on Friday but w/ different doctors. It sounds like you’ve done your due diligence in prepping for your trip which will definitely pay off. We’ll hope for no more hurricanes! I can’t recall whether your home sustained damage, but I hope not! We just had an earthquake today - 5.1 on the Richter scale. It was pretty exciting as we’re 12 mi from the epicenter.
I think that 2 weeks is on the lean side for how much time to take off after bilateral surgery. I had unilateral surgery, & though I wasn’t working at the time, going back 2 weeks post op would have been a stretch. If you’re able to take 3-4 weeks off that would be much better or at least start back part time. Going back part time & easing into full time has helped a number of our members.
Thanks for sharing the hot tip about Med Stay. That will be helpful to other members, I’m sure.
I’m praying for you daily as this week leads you into what I hope will be the end of all of your pain & suffering. 
@Isaiah_40_31 THANK YOU! You made me well up there! I’m a bit emotional these days, just a mess I am ! I have to get it together! Your words, prayers and encouragement my goodness you truly are just a blessing ! Honest to goodness!!!
We did have some damage yes. Not as bad as a lot of folks however enough. But we are here. That’s the most important part!
Omgoodness are you kidding me, an earthquake! That’s crazy and scary too! Everything okay? I hadn’t yet heard about this!
I wish i had more time to stay out before flying back super nervous that we have to fly back on Monday. I was told that it’s okay but I could have additional pain pressure. I sure hope not. Its a quick flight so im just trying to tell myself that.
Yes @KoolDude and I are surgery twins! We got this!
Thanks again for being you and being a tremendous support for all of us on this journey that we did not choose. 
Thanks @Isaiah_40_31 . Your constant support mean a lot to us and we are grateful to you for keeping us in your prayer.
@Ddmarie - You can’t take gel ice packs on the plane, but you can ask for bags of ice while flying. Just remember to pack a washcloth or thin dish towel you can carry on to protect your neck from direct contact w/ the ice. Keeping ice on your incisions while flying should help a lot.
Thank you! I had zip lock bags packed but didn’t think about the washcloths! Appreciate this!!!
Will be praying for you & @KoolDude! I hope that everything goes smoothly with travel as well as the surgery, and that you feel less anxious.
I agree with @Isaiah_40_31 that 2 weeks is just a bit optimistic for time off! Especially after bilateral surgery…
If you’re up to it will you both let us know how you are? 
Thank you @Jules for everything you have done to support this forum. You all have been my rock to help me get here. I most certainly will be checking in as I am able to keep you all posted. Appreciate the care and concern!
You’ve got this @Ddmarie!!! You have put in the time to know what this entails, reflected on it, spoken with others who have completed the same procedures, and continue to engage with this audience. From here, it is in the hands of the surgeon and your body/mind for the healing you need and quite frankly deserve.
My surgery is a week from tomorrow with Dr. Hackman, so I am right behind you my friend. Feel free to reach out if you want to compare notes on how things are progressing. I too have moments of being nervous - moreso because the injections I had at Northwestern a month ago are working in reducing the pain and discomfort, and I wonder if surgery is really needed. Then again, I know this always returns even with the injections.
I decided to stay locally at UNC for awhile and avoid flying since pressure always makes things worse for me, but I like the suggestions re: icing that area. I have a beard but I am pretty sure they will make me shave it first - bummer :).
JPB
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out. I can’t tell you how much it really does mean. I keep telling myself to keep my eye on the end result.
We made it here I’m happy to report. And of course as I anticipated the hospital called while I was on the plane in route here. So I called them back once I was able. Surgery is at 1225 and I have to be there by 1030.
In the course of the last few months my symptoms seemed to have dramatically increased. The pain in the left especially is just unforgiving and relentless. Here I’ve moved across country and haven’t even been able to enjoy the beautiful weather because I have been in such an awful “flair” I haven’t much dare go much of anywhere because at anyone one time I feel like I have almost an out of body experience, breathing becomes difficult I get super woozy, which makes me nauseous and like I’m just going to pass out. With this I just knew I had to move forward. This is not a quality of life for anyone.
So I am putting my trust and faith in God and Dr Hackman that this will help me regain some sense of quality once again.
I am so very happy for you to have your surgery forth coming! I think @vdm is coming us up with Dr Hackman possibly the same week as yours? If I recall correctly?
Wishing you all the absolute best ! Definitely will be reaching out for sure! I know I say it all the time but this group, I don’t know what I would do without it and everyone that’s a part of it. Forever grateful!
I can’t wait to hear about the positive outcome!!! I definitely know what it feels like to have our lives impacted by this and unfortunately others don’t understand, some probably even thinking it isn’t real because they can’t see it or it is so rare.
At the end of the day, I have lived my life to its fullest by muting anyone that distracts me from fulfilling the dream(s) I have set out to accomplish, including having peace with my health. I am fortunate to have an amazing spouse and young/and older children who are here to help me through this.
Let’s see where the surgery takes us and keep our minds focused on positive affirmations and outcomes!!!
@Ddmarie the folks at UNCHealth will take good care of you. Is Dr. Hackman doing the surgery? I felt amazingly good the day after surgery. They gave me IV steroids with a dose pack to get me home, which gave me a good boost of energy. The hospital pharmacy should bring your prescriptions to your room before discharge. The nurses will bring you ice packs if you ask. You can do this! Stay ahead of the pain with ice and pain meds. Sending prayers your way for a speedy recovery!
Great comment, @JPB. A positive mindset goes far toward healing & helping us stay upbeat even when symptoms are being a little slow to recede. I hope for you, @Ddmarie & @KoolDude that you notice some positive results of surgery right away. There will be others that come with time.
All the best for your big day tomorrow. I’ll be thinking of you and sending positive vibes across the ocean. Hope that everything goes well and for your satisfaction.
Warmest regards 
Hi @TheDude thank you so much for your kind words and positive thoughts for the both of us!! I truly appreciate you!!! I have learned a lot from you on here too over the course of this last year so thank you for all of that too!
I’m so excited for you! You are so close to getting your life back! Hackman did my surgery in 2019! My favorite person. He is amazing and so is good staff. I hope you have it as easy as I did. I only took one pain killer and woke up with most issues immediately resolved. I can’t say enough about him. So caring and awesome bedside manner. He follows me closely for other issues to. The best thing I can say is listen to your body and rest! You’ve got this. Let us know how your doing when you can. Prayers!
Adriene
Thank you so much!!! Always appreciate you @Isaiah_40_31
Adriene61 thank you so much for your kind words and well wishes!!! And also for sharing your experience. I also feel the same way about Dr Hackman. When I met him at my appointment I could tell that he truly cares about his patients and only wants the best for them. He is genuine. I am just so happy to hear about your success with the surgery and your recovery ! It gives me such hope for a better life ahead. Thanks again for taking the time to reach out even years later post and share in your experience. I hope to be able to be that person soon
Thank you so much for this! Yes surgery is with Dr Hackman. Like you I had to travel to get to him (I’m in FL now I see your in FL too) but started this journey with him when I was still in NY I could only wish there were more doctors like him that truly seem to care. I’m so happy also to hear that you are doing so well now. Ya’all on here must’ve known I needed a pep talk THANK YOU. And also thanks for the info on the meds too I have been worried about that how to get them filled while here so that was very helpful to know!! I see the hospital pharmacy is only open until 4 I think on the weekends so I hope this all works out. I did bring small round bandaids in case for the drains someone had mentioned that on here previously, zip lock bags for ice for the hotel and especially plane, wash clothes, Tylenol, ibuprofen gas x and stool softener! I tried to be prepared lol. Anesthesia isnt always my friend and either are strong pain meds. I am super happy about the steroids to go because if not I plan to ask for them. I’m rambling at this point I’m exhausted from being up since 330 this morning. Lol. Again thank so much for the well wishes and for taking the time to reach out!!
Yes your story sounds like mine in respect to the elimination of the negative in your life.
It’s hard like you said because what we all have going on, it can’t be seen so people just assume we are fine or making it up. And to be honest I’ve tried real hard to just always keep pushing forward and not talk much about it because people don’t get it.
I’m so glad you have a supportive family that definitely helps! My spouse is too.
Keep up the positive spirit we will get through this!