"That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more" ...Popeye.

I don't believe that our lives are predetermined. I do believe that occasionally things happen for a reason, and if I'm lucky enough to pick up on the signs I try not to ignore them. As of Wednesday at 1700 I honestly believed I had improved enough to try going back to work. As I posted earlier, if I wasn't up to it after a couple of trips I would seriously consider having the surgery. At 1715, after an hour on the phone with our medical department trying to determine why they had denied my doctor's fax (for the second time) clearing me to return to work, I had the first sign (or maybe the denied clearance was the first sign). I threw my back out so bad, I felt like I had time-warped back to the day I went into the clinic ...three months of progress gone in a flash. Although not quite as severe as before, the shift and nerve pain immediately returned, and sitting, standing, and walking were extremely painful.

I was able to see Dr. King on Thursday without an appointment, his last day of work before going on vacation (sign #2). He phoned his friend Director Professor Doctor of Medicine Robert Schönmayr (Dr. Bob), who had just returned from his vacation and is completely booked for the next month, and was able to get me in at 1500 that afternoon (sign #3). After consulting with Dr. King and discussing the options with me, he scheduled the surgery (microdiscectomy) for next Thursday, April 8th ...how's that for service (Sign #4)! The good news is I won't miss the MANU v BAYERN match on Wednesday night (sign #5), the bad news is that Dr. Bob is a big FC BAYERN fan. Let's hope the outcome of the game doesn't effect his performance in the operating room the next morning.

Sign #6: Doctor Bob's wife is a retired Lufthansa flight attendant, so I'm thinking maybe industry discount here.

Sign #7: Doctor Bob says there are plenty of football players in the Bundesliga who have suffered this injury, and after having the surgery, continue to play. If the Bundesliga is confidant enough with the results of this surgery to keep paying some guy a seven or eight figure salary, then surely United will see fit to take me back at the poverty level wage at which they retain me.

to be continued..........