Sherrie I am not sure if being more assertive would make any difference, I have had three major back and neck surgeries since 2009, and had problems with pain control with each of them, even though before each one I went to great lengths to prevent that from happening, and each time I was assured that they would have it under control. Bottom line I think unless your PM is right there as part of the surgical team, that most surgeons and hospital staff just don't understand the extra needs that chronic pain patients have when it comes to controlling pain, especially the extra pain from the surgery! That is just my opinion from my person experiences. But with that said I would not let that change the course I took to have the surgeries that I had. The long term benefits from the surgeries far out weighed the pain and suffering that I endured in post op and the following days after the surgery! Granted at the time I was experiencing the additional pain I was not happy, and yes maybe even for a short while had second thoughts about
what I had decided. But in the end it was worth it! And it is the long term benefits that really is what is important, isn't it? I mean from what you have said, it is your life that is in the balance! When you have the surgery if your pain is not controlled then raise the roof! Make your pain be heard, and as loudly as you can, someone will hear you! Make them as miserable as what you feel, then hopefully someone will do something about
it!
Just my thoughts about it, I do wish you well and hope this surgery goes well for you!
You will be in my prayers this Friday
White Beard