Squeezing in a surgery between exams

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  • #178748

    Hey guys! I found out that I’ll be needing surgery pretty soon (nothing too major) . Since I’ll be starting work in the last week of October, the doctor and I both agreed that I should have my surgery over the summer. I was told that I should expect to be laid up for two weeks afterwards with the worst of the pain occurring during that first two-week period with some discomfort continuing for a couple weeks after that. My next exam (BEC) is August 14, and I have friends coming from out of state the week before Labor Day, so August is out (assuming they could even slot me in then).

    My last (and hopefully final) exam is AUD on October 1. Ideally, I’d like my surgery to be the week of Labor Day, so that I’d have 3-4 weeks to recover before the exam. Other than maybe the day of the surgery and a couple days after, I anticipate that I would still be able to study, although I’ll probably be hopped up on codeine or something. Instead of taking a few days off after BEC to recuperate like I’ve done with my other exams, I would probably start studying right away the next day to make up for the lost days in September.

    Has something like this happened to anyone else? Would you advise that I keep my October 1 exam date or reschedule for October 7 to give myself an additional week of recovery? I would have to apply for a new NTS, and NASBA is such a messed up, totally incompetent organization that I’d prefer not having to go through the hassle of that.

Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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  • #426753
    Jennifer241
    Member

    My husband had to be put under for a hernia repair, he waited to long and it was quite a problem. Anyway, he had a 4 week recovery, the first 5 days he was on pain medication but by the 6th day he was just on ibuprofen and aspirin. He is an EMT and did over 65+ hours of his CPE while he was recovering, days 6 – 20 of his recovery.

    I know that it isn't studying for the CPA exam, but he was able to watch the video's, retain the information, and take the tests. With lots and lots of naps in between!

    AUD - Jan 9,13 Pass
    REG - Aug 30,13 Pass
    BEC - Oct 26,13 Pass
    FAR - Dec 4,13 Pass

    Licensed CPA in the state of Oregon

    #426754
    StephAV
    Member

    I was thinking the same thing as the PP, being bed ridden sounds like the perfect excuse to study!

    FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
    BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
    AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
    REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
    I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

    #426755

    Haha the doctor actually said to me, “You probably won't be able to do anything fun for a few weeks.” To which I replied, “Not a problem. I'll be studying for the CPA exam anyway.”

    #426756
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I have been dealing with health issues for the past few years including surgery..and you can trust me when I say this: if the doctor says you won't feel like doing anything…fun or otherwise… You will not be able to focus on your studies like you can when you are healthy. Pain meds make you sleepy and unable to retain the info. Please give yourself the benefit of the doubt and take the extra week to heal. Good luck and swift healing!

    Ok – I re-read the original post and I see that you would have to have a new NTS so although I stand by my post – I would say just take it on Oct 1 and do the best you can. Don't pay for the exam a second time unless you have to.

    #426757
    ruggercpa2b
    Participant

    When I had ACL surgery I contacted a coordinator at NASBA and after faxing all the paperwork from my doctor about my surgery I got a 3 month extension. My NTS was about to expire and I did not know how I would feel after surgery so I asked and figured the least they could say was no. I did stop taking the pain pills and dealt with pain and studied. I did not like how they made me feel granted I cried during physical therapy but I was able to get done instead of being loopy on the couch. Good luck with your surgery.

    AUD - NINJA in Training
    BEC - NINJA in Training
    FAR - NINJA in Training
    REG - NINJA in Training
    AUD - 1/6/18
    FAR - TBD
    REG - TBD
    BEC - TBD

    AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
    BEC - 8/20/2016
    REG - TBD
    FAR - TBD

    I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

    #426758

    Thanks for the advice @ruggercpa2b! Just found out surgery is scheduled on September 12, which is a little close for my comfort. I think I may contact NASBA and see if I can get a one-week extension.

    #426759
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    If NASBA can't help, contact your state board.

    #426760
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I appreciate all the good information here. I too was told this week that I get to have surgery. This surgery (while it will be very good for me) has a lot of emotional impact. The date is August 6, and I have FAR scheduled for Aug 29. My NTS is good until at least Nov, so I am ok with the NTS time, but my 18 months is up mid January (i have passed REG and AUD, waiting on my BEC score from 7/11/13)

    My question is how do you focus while surgery is in the back of your mind? I need to get the tests finished by mid Jan.

    #426761
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Beach girl: I use studying for the exams to take my mind off scary health issues. You can't control the surgery or any part of it but you can focus and knock out the exams. Everytime your mind starts worrying just focus and tell yourself that TODAY is not the day for worrying!! I loose AUD ON Oct 18 and have a surgery scheduled for Oct 16. Hang in there and concentrate on the things you can control! I will be watching for your passing scores!! 🙂

    #426762
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    BaxterCPA: I will write that down and post it on my wall where I study and look at it every time my mind starts to wander. I do well with blocking out most other distractions, but I have struggled with this. Thank you so much!

    With that focus you to will pass! I can't wait to see your passing score! Let's finish this.

    #426763

    So I heard back from NASBA, and they told me I had to fill out an Exception to Policy form, which I was fully expecting. But then I saw on the form, it says, “If you are scheduled to take the examination, you are required to cancel the scheduled appointment and pay all appropriate fees prior to submission of this form.” What if I cancel my exam and then they end up denying my request? Can I use the original exam code, schedule it again for October 1 and hope that I'm feeling well enough to sit that day? Or does canceling my exam mean I have to go through the laborious process of dealing with NASBA to get a new NTS and pay the full fee for a new exam code?

Viewing 11 replies - 1 through 11 (of 11 total)
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