@bjk3 ~ I can relate! I've been on Amazon, hunting for other ADA-type things to help do what I've always taken for granted that I'd be able to do long into my 80s-90s. I'm just 71 - how can this happen now?! Well, the good Lord knows and maybe it's better than I don't know what my future looks like. I feel the same as you though, about not being involved in things simply because I can't count on being able to stand, walk, lift and carry things. I can barely stand to brush my teeth at present, so now there's a little stool there for me to sit down. We just have to laugh as much as we can. My husband and church family are all taking care of me and keeping us both in their prayers. I'll keep you posted and please do the same! 🙏❤️

@bjk3 Hi Barb! Sorry it's been awhile since I was here. I was having issues with my password, but it finally got resolved. So here's my update ~ on May 26, I had a lumbar laminectomy decompression of L1-L5 with accompanying medial facetectomy and foraminotomy - i.e., he "took the roof of my lumbar spine" and "made room for the nerves exiting and branching out from the canal". I was in the hospital 5 days, only because I had respiratory issues after the fact. The surgery itself took just under 4 hours, but there were no complications and the surgeon said he was "very confident that he got good decompression everywhere that was causing trouble." So today I'm 4-weeks post-op. I'm healing well, walking around the house without assistance, just taking small steps and trying not to sit too long. I've had none of the burning and weakness in the backs of my thighs, and only had one twinge of sciatic pain in my left butt a couple of days ago. I'm doing stretching exercises on the bed, and isometric ones while sitting down. I'm off of the pain meds and just using a really good ice wrap that I got on Amazon (it's bigger than the Magic Ice brand) and it's wonderful. I even ventured out on Sunday to go to church, and it was so nice to get out of the house and be able to worship and hugs friends I hadn't seen in awhile. I used my cane for balance and did just fine. It's been a journey I wouldn't wish on anyone, but God has been so faithful and helped me through every struggle, and He still is. Thank you for your prayers. I know the prayers of everyone have touched Heaven on my behalf and I'm so grateful for them.
I have had PN for over 20 years and have been on Lyrica. I'm still on it. Until last night, the burning and sharp stabbing pain had gone away, but last night my feet were on fire. All I can do is keep giving each of these struggles to God, and thank Him that His grace is sufficient. I'm firmly believing that He's in the process of healing the PN as a result of this surgery. If this is what it took, PTL! I go in for my 6-week checkup in a couple of weeks. It felt wonderful to get the staples out (32 of them!) at 2-weeks, and the incision is healing well. I'm confident I'll get to the point where I can walk easier and farther with His help and get stronger. Some days it feels like an uphill battle, like you said - the PN, arthritis in my right knee, a pinched nerve in my shoulderblade - it can all feel daunting. Today I made of list of everything that's hurting and said, "God, you know all about these pains. Whatever their purpose, I surrender to you and ask you for your strength, because that's what you promise in your Word, and your promises are true. So thank you for your grace to help in time of need."
I'm praying for you, Barb, that God is meeting your needs and giving you His strength, as well as His peace, knowing that He's in control. I pray my words are an encouragement to you and anyone here who reads them. God is able to do exceedingly above all that we ask or think.