But I will try nevertheless. I was not gainfully employed, but wanting to be..... that was my goal as I approached the healing of my T8/T9 implant of paddles for lumbar and leg pain. 30 June 2010 was the permanent implant date. I was continued on the pain management meds until early August of the same year, at which time I began the horrible process of withdrawal from pain meds..... all of them. Depression and anxiety set in October of that year, and was quite a hurdle. By January 2011, I was at last truly ready and working hard at locating work outside the home. Two weeks ago, I began to work at the position I secured in my profession. It feels absolutely GREAT to be needed and wanted again, practicing my profession and doing well by those who employ me.

Back to when I could have, would have been able to really go to work in my scenario- I call it January 2011, and I worked very hard at seeking employment, even starting up a group of similarly situated people so we could mutually assist in the "get a job" economy. The group grew to take in all of the churches of our area, and now all but one of us have employment, and the remainder is the favored candidate for a job that will open very very soon.

This example is maybe NOT what you wanted to hear or read, but it is life in my neck of the woods. Now as to the withdrawal from those pain management meds..... my pain management doc and surgeon agree I am kinda unique there, but I had a passion to get away from the chemicals, not knowing what they would do to me in the long run [I had been on them since April 2005].

Yup,
Mark56