Man what a scary experience to have gone through.

I want to say, good on you for looking after yourself and seeking care, especially when it feels like you havent been supported. Sometimes the people around us dont understand or dont get it right. You help just by speaking up. Truly.

Doctors often give advice / trial a therapy amd if you dont go back, they assume you got better. If it aint working out, go back and say so. You should get taken seriously, and Im sorry if that hasnt been your experience.

Amongst other things, Facial droop and pupil dilation can be a big deal and should have sparked a comprehensive exam. A herniated disc at C7/T1 does not cause those issues. It is not always necessary to operate on a herniated disc, but should it come to it, it is now microsurgery, quite a bit safer and less invasive. However this is typically done when other approaches have failed. It provides more immediate relief, but outcomes are similar surgical v non-surgical after 12 months. I suspect this will not be the route you need to go.

I am with the previous commenter, follow up with your concerns!

Was incredible. After this, returning to the furst movie was interesting . They really upped the ante in terms of length and character depth -gwen especially. Didnt realize how streamlined Gwens role was in the first movie. Across the Spiderverse fleshes her out so thoroughly… I think it is a rare sequel that improves the first movie retroactively.

If you are looking to live in that world a little longer, check out the youtube channel, schnee. Cant even remember his commentary, but he does such an insightful analysis, thought I better take the chance to plug him.