Gonna do it.

[Goatwhiskers]

A friend told me that when you hurt long enough and bad enough, you'll make the decision. Going in the 13th for lumbar fusion, L4 to L5 to S1. Interestingly they don't do cementing them together anymore, there's some hardware on the outside and a couple of spacers on the inside, about 1 1/2" incision. Six weeks recuperation more or less. Even said driving is up to me and how I feel. I know it's gonna hurt like blazes for a little while but that will pass. Gotta make the try to get back to where I can walk the woods even if it's not like the old days. Just had to get past all the horror stories. Wish me luck! GW

Addendum: Another "friend" almost convinced me by himself, said I am too darn old to be getting cut on this way. Wrong!

[NewbieDave007]

Good luck and I wish you a quick recovery.

[ph4570]

Best of wishes for a good swift outcome.

[nicholst55]

Good luck, and I hope you get your mobility back! Is there therapy involved afterward? I can say from personal experience that you get out of therapy what you put into it.

[shooterg]

Know a couple folks back work did wonders for - can't talk the wife that needs it into it though.
Best wishes for an excellent outcome.

[oneokie]

A friend told me that when you hurt long enough and bad enough, you'll make the decision.

So very true.
Wish you a quick recovery and hope it has the desired results. Listen very carelfully to your Dr.'s reccommendations about therapy and limitations to your usual activities after the surgery.

[Goatwhiskers]

Shooterg, re: what I said in the first post, you won't have to tell her what to do, she'll let you know when it's time. There will be some flexibility therapy. Ya know, when it comes to Drs. orders, I believe that a large portion of those who have further problems did not do what the Dr said post-surgery. I'm hard-headed and contrary, but not stupid. Doc raised his eyebrows when I said I'm shooting for 90%, but that's the plan. GW

[labradigger1]

i hope your surgery goes well. i have been putting off surgery on two toes for too long, surgery does not bother me but the 6-8 week recovery does.

[C.F.Plinker]

Good Luck and Best Wishes. Let us know how everything goes with both the surgery and your rehab. The first line in your post has been true for many of us in the past and will be true for others traveling this trail also.

[1616s16]

good luck me will pass in the woods in the future

[RickinTN]

Good Luck to you, and I wish you a quick recovery. I've recently developed sciatica and am in the early stages of dr's and such. I know I can't put up with this pain very long. Can't do anything comfortably except sit, and haven't figured out how to sleep sitting up.
I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care,
Rick

[dbosman]

For anyone in pain, find a pain specialist that isn't buying real estate or cars on the prescription kick backs.
Surgeons cut. Manipulators manipulate. Sports medicine specialists can do wonders for over used bodies.
Pain specialists can do more this decade than in the previous five decades.

[oneokie]

haven't figured out how to sleep sitting up. Rick

Flat of your back with the affected leg elevated. Sofa with the leg resting on the back of the sofa. In the floor with the leg resting on a kitchen/dining room chair.

[SciFiJim]

I have back issues as well and have heard the horror stories. All of those happened in the past and medicine is advancing rapidly. I am not hurting enough for surgery yet, but I am interested in finding out how it turns out for you.

Best wishes for a speedy and more importantly a successful recovery!

[44man]

Good luck! Back pain is the worst.
My wife had bulging disks pushing on nerves. Some girl ran into her car. I found a doctor close with one of those machines they put her on to stretch the spine in pulses. They gave her stuff to drink for nutrients, used a tenze unit and some other thing on her. Sessions were short, 1/2 hour on the machine and a little more with the other stuff.
It completely healed the disks. Turned her from a cripple to her nasty self!