@james2189
Thank you for sharing your story!!!
I am so sorry for all you have been through.
I cannot imagine having so many surgeries.
Drunk driving is a whole other topic that I am sure many members can relate to.

I did not have any accidents that required the 2 spinal surgeries.
A major reason for these problems come from aging (I am 63 yo), weight (I lost 80 lbs.) and I believe that all the years I worked out inappropriately.
Whatever the reason, it is what it is!!!
For years I went to pain doctors for help.
When they could no longer help, surgery was the next option.

I know that the surgeries (c5/6 and L 4/5) may not be the entire answer but it has to be better than what I was experiencing.
My pain doctor told me a long time ago, something that you mentioned.
Regardless if I have surgery (which I did), I still need to be careful and adjust my life accordingly.
I retired 5 years ago at the age of 48 on SSI.
My retirement is nothing like I expected.
My pain doc said the same thing you did, I have to get used to living a different life style.
I refuse to become a cripple and do whatever they suggest in order to get back to my old self.

One last thing, I promise.
No one knows what life will be like.
None of us have asked to live in pain or a restrictive life.
So, we have to make the best of things and work our butts off in order to get some quality of life.
Remember, we don't have any alternatives (except death) that are acceptable.

Have a pain free day and keep writing.
You are not venting, you are sharing.
There are people who will find something you said as that AH, HA moment.

Ronnie (GRANDMAr)