Cheers. This company is pretty supportive but he's toeing their 4 month limit. The dust hasn't settled yet but the surgeon has declared that the knife isn't necessary IF he can endure 3 months on his back (with a brace). He feels 90% certain that the vertebrae can and will heal themselves. I believe the company will allow that and are able to keep him on full pay and benefits for four months.
He had started a rigorous diet (practically fasting) without prepping for it.
But, it was very odd. I was first responder (never should have told these guys about my EMT background, heh) and he was exhibiting a mix of stroke, heart attack AND seizure like symptoms. His eyes were open, but glazed over and he wasn't there. A certain amount of lock jaw seemed to be happening but then he was chewing his tongue. His arms were spindling like someone having a stroke, then he started itching his own arm repeatedly. I'm no doctor. My EMT license is long expired and 90% of my calls were car/bike accidents, so fark if I know.
Since then, the back issues (which he had already had a herniated disc) kind of took over and doctors settled with a "he had a fit," explanation.
Waiting for the specialists to resume their duties.