@southernbelle13 In meeting w a local, and exceptionally well regarded brain & spine surgeon, I learned there is not enough bone at the spot where the nerve is compressed, to remove some bone to relieve the compression.
That is not an option. He recommends a fusion of L5-S1, a fusion he recommended against 2 years ago. I asked why it would not lead to a failed fusion, and his reply was that trchniques have changed and he would put in a cage to replace the failing disk which would take the pressure off the nerve.
Although we are in a town of only around 120K people, he is reputed to be the best spine surgeon between Seattle and San Francisco; to get a second opinion would mean considerable travel. The surgery, if done here, would involve a vascular surgeon as well. It takes time to get pre-ops done. I'm moving forward slowly. I can decide this isn't the route for me at any time.