Thank you for your kind comments Cookie.

I've had both big toes fused, both knees replaced, one hip replaced, and getting my shoulder replaced in August. Even so, what you are going through is what concerns me about any kind of spine surgery (usually cervical and lumbar).

And I'm truly sorry for the pain you're experiencing. I don't have much knowledge about spine surgery - but a female friend at the gym, age 80, has had 7 or 8 vertebrae fused and she is almost always in pain. She mentioned looking into nerve ablation. I know very little about it, I believe it destroys the end of a nerve to ease pain, but I'm not sure.

Might be worth a little research or at least a question for your Dr. I do wish you all the best. You are a fighter, my kind of person!

Joe