will this end my career?

I have recently been diagnosed with Chiari. They are recommending surgery. My problem is I am a 40 year old female firefighter. Will this end my career? The doctor I have been seeing says no but I just can't imagine wearing my helmet and 50 pounds of gear after this procedure. I am so scared.

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

  I have to ask, when r u having surgery, is it scheduled?....u may want to get an opinion from another dr, and do make sure it is a true chiari specialist.

I do not know how or when u would be able to return to ur position as a fire fighter...we r all diff and some do respond well to surgery, but there is no way to say yes or no b4 surgery, so if ur Dr is saying yes, u may want to check out a diff Dr.

  We do have a list of drs that still need to be researched...the list was compiled by the members here of their drs.....the list is not meant as a referral, u need to find the dr that is right for u-http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological%20Disorders/DOCTORS-LIST-FOR-CHIARI-SYRINGOMYELIA/show/1062?cid=186

  "selma"

[Roy902]

I am a EMD dispatcher for a fire dept now for almost 4 years and have chiari and yet to have surgery.  

I know the training that you have to do and the certifications that you have to have as well.

I really understand your concerns with your job and career;  it will definately be a up hill battle I would think in order to get the doctors to release you back to duty to perform all the tasks that are required for you to do.

The surgery would be your choice such as it is mine, I agree get a second or third opinion if you are un comfortable with what you are being told...

I wish you the best.

Roy
Offutt Fire Dept
Bellevue Nebraska.