careful or you career will be over like mine is

When I drop loads I leave them about a inch off the ground and dump the air bags. Makes it so much easier on the driver picking it up.

 

Good Luck.Watch out with painkillers so you don't get hooked on then.
Being overweight will stress your back so keep your BMI low.

As to driving again,when the time is right,you might want to look into special orthopedic seats.
I know several drivers who are still able to drive thanks to those seats.

 

OP, I sincerely hope everything works out for you. One thing that has become pretty apparent to me is the human body is actually a pretty crappy design. Sticks held together by rubber bands.

A little "stuck landing gear" story of my own: about 4 years ago I was picking up a dropped trailer in Laredo that was dropped low. The crank was being really stubborn. But foolish me, instead of pulling on it, I pushed on it from above. It snapped back and from what I can tell clipped my nose with enough force that it broke my nose smashed my glasses and knocked me unconscious. When I came to I got up, found my glasses (now missing one lens that was later found 10 feet away with a deep scratch in it representing where the handle had grazed it on its way by) and went to the office to ask them to get a yard dog over there to pick it up so I could crank down the landing gear. No, I was not yet feeling anything and was not aware that my face and clothes were covered in blood. The lady at the desk completely freaked out. They insisted on calling EMT's in spite of my protests (remember, I wasn't yet clued in to the fact there was anything wrong). When they got there, they did determine that I didn't really need to go to the hospital, but they did try to talk me into going. They cleaned me up, kinda sorta set my nose, and said I should take a few days off. The yard folks helped me hook up the trailer and I headed to the TA and shut down. Not a good idea, I know, but I was very insistent. By now dispatch was up to speed on what was going on and said they would call every few hours to check on me.

The next day, my eyes were nearly closed from the swelling, I had a headache that would kill an elephant, and I was nauseous and vomiting and drifting in and out. When I didn't answer my phone, dispatch called 911. Long story short I spent a couple of days in hospital in Laredo with a serious concussion and a dislocated shoulder that I didn't even notice the day before. If I had not been wearing my glasses, the landing gear handle would have taken my right eye. All because I tried to do something the quick way instead of thinking about the right way.

Trailer landing gear is not to be messed with. Do it wrong, and under just the right set of circumstances, it can and will kill you. Ever since then, if it's even the least bit stubborn, I look for help.

 

Thank you for the story, it goes to show people that even the simple things you may do could be your last if you do not stop and think because you are in a hurry. Glad you had those glasses on man!