I’m not sure that’s a total spine replacement. I had a surgeon that was going to fuse me from my thoracic spine all the way down. But I didn’t have him do my spine surgery. I’ve had a few spine surgeries. I consider all my spine surgeries, huge successes! Did it get rid of all my pain yes and no. There is pain I have which does not come from my spine. It comes from the tugging that goes on from the muscles, pulling on my spine, and it also comes from my tailbone, which I am told cannot be operated on. In my case, I completely got my life back by having the surgeries. It is unfortunate that you are not told about pain that may stay with you after surgery. My surgeon was honest. But I clearly see the 5 ton gorilla on my back was removed with surgery. I can exercise, I can walk I walk to 5K, I can do my art and I can function. I stay on low-dose opioids for 25 years for the pain, however the destructive pain and joint deterioration that comes with degenerative disc disease is being alleviated by the periodic surgeries over 15 years. I expect them to continue (the need for surgery) and I am no longer afraid because of the freedom. I get after surgery. But there is a cost. I imagine I would’ve hated life entirely if I didn’t have the surgeries, and I wouldn’t be able to have inspired and happy moments without the surgeries. I think finding a really good orthopedic surgeon who I could trust after 18 years of being a volleyball between doctors resulted in me being confident with my decisions about surgery. I am very grateful.