I am going to make a general statement about patients being part of the failed surgeries. I am not pointing fingers and no accusations. I have had over 45 surgeries, 4 individual cervical fusions (C3-T1 in total), 3 laminectomies/discectomies and finally L3-S1 fusion, new shoulder and I could go on. The lumbar fusion was the most painful surgery I’ve had, the doctor wanted me out of work 6-9 months. Family bills, mortgage, car payments…6-9 months? Can’t afford to do it. As I was getting discharged I asked the surgeon when would I start PT, not for at least 6 months. All I want you to do is walk. I got into a routine of getting the kids on the bus at 7:45 and I’d just start walking. I get back home from my walk around noon or so. At my 6 month follow up I asked the doc if I could go back to work. He said it’s only been 6 months, you haven’t had any PT. He asked if I was walking, yup, for how long? I don’t know I said but I’m doing about 40 miles per week. Two days later I was back to work. We as patients have a responsibility to hold up our own end of the surgical agreement. I look at PT (I hate PT) as my full time job while I’m not working because of surgery and devote my efforts to the excersises to strengthen the muscles supporting my joints, neck, lower back and more. If there’s no exercises at that point, walk. Walking is by far the best overall exercise there is. I am absolutely 100% honest with surgeries as I am about a 3 month coma, 6 week coma , 2 trips in a life flight helicopter and being killed in a 60mph head on collision. Surgery is in addition to what we need to do to heal.