Hello there sir,
I can absolutely identify with what you are going through.
June 29th, 2023 I had an emergency 3 level fusion from C3-C6. Surgery went fabulous, so did recovery & rehab until 9 weeks post-op when I aggravated previously fused areas in my lumbar spine. Fast forward to January 23rd and 25th of 2024 and I am rewarded with a lumbar reconstruction from L2-Pelvis. I say pelvis because there are 5½" screws supporting the whole "rocket ship" of titanium that was installed. Believe it or not, exactly the same thing happened at the 9 week mark of rehab, this time 2 herniations in my thoracic and my C6-C7 disc is strangling my spinal cord.
I am scheduled to have that incorporated into the mass above it in August. Yes, that will be major spinal fusions every 6 months or so for 18 months and a major thoracic issue still in the wind.
I know what you mean when you say it brings up all kinds of feelings.
By the way, I'm 49 years old and had to file for SSDI because I was told in no uncertain terms that my days of working are over.
If you would like to talk, I am available.
The one thing that CAN NOT be taken from me is my Positive Mental Attitude. Adjusting my PMA as necessary to maintain a positive outlook on whats happening to me has gotten me through.