@bostongal23 I was a scared patient too and spent 2 years trying to get a surgeon to help me. That made me face those fears and I was also working on it. I learned to overcome them. The surgeons didn’t understand my symptoms and wouldn’t take a chance on me until I got to Mayo. I did start a discussion about ways to face fear and you can find it if you go into my profile. That changed my life and gave me confidence to face other difficult circumstances. Thanks for your kind words too! What helped with pain before surgery was my physical therapist using a Dolphin Neurostimulator on the nerve roots in my neck. It was set for a frequency that blocks the neurotransmitters that are conducting the pain impulses. That gave me relief for about a week. I’m glad you had your trip and it will be something good to think about as you begin to heal. It can be a turning point to your future.