@lioness Thank you so much for even finding me tonight and responding. No surgery. Too complicated for minimally invasive laser. As a Canadian, it's virtually impossible to see a neurosurgeon. Wait times could be up to 6 years. My assessment at Laser Spine Institute was complete and thorough and although they wanted to help me, my situation would require fusions, removal of bone spurs leaving me with the possibility of not having enough support bone; requiring further surgery. At my age, 70...formerly active, I'm devastated. +++pain killers surely cannot be my steady diet going forward. I checked in here at Mayo Connect...for information and wondering if it would actually be worthwhile to ask a Mayo to review my case. We are self pay.