Has anyone here ever had to come to terms with their skill level and either accepted that they will work in a small market for the rest of their career, or left altogether?
When did you know? And have you regretted it since?
As it says above. I've applied to Advance jobs in the past and can't remember getting anything but know Gannett and McClatchy send them, so I'm hoping Advance does the same.
Nearly three years ago, I began to have a nagging sciatic pain in my hip. I was at the start of a new career at 30 years old and really didn't want to slow down to get any type of medical help. So, I pushed through.
Four months later, that pain began to creep into my leg and before I knew it, I was suffering from debilitating pain. That pain left me bedridden for months at a time, crying in airports as I fought to walk less than a quarter mile from the terminal to my car. At one point, spending two hours just trying to get to my car and get to the hotel on a work trip.
I was suffering from two herniated discs, one in the L4-L5 and the other in the L5-S1, along with a few bulges in others.
For two long years, I fought to get through each day. I came here and read horror stories of people suffering for a decade, and found solace in stories from those who had recovered.
About six months ago, I began to finally improve. The ice, the stretches, the injections, the PT- not one of those things worked singularly - but by some miracle, I was walking again and going a day or two without pain.
Fast forward to now, I'm still icing, I'm still being cautious, but I'm living again. I'm going outdoors with my wife and kid. I'm enjoying my days instead of wishing I wouldn't wake up again.
For anyone out there still in the throes of sciatica, please don't give up on yourself or your recovery. I know how dark it can get, but you will make it through.