John, Thank you for the article, very interesting. Yes I thought I would get the pain pump. All that was told to me was no Other than the pain in my back and I have "Mild COPD" It seems it is my age. I am 82. My heart is good and other than the pain, I am in good health. I get so tired of the dr. saying "AT YOUR AGE"! I ask them, "Just because I am 82 does that mean I have to be in pain?" They just look at me! I am not one who sits in a chair all day feeling sorry for myself. I take care of myself, I can and freeze from the garden, I quilt, crochet, I am involved in my church. I don't want to give up. I can't stand long, lift, or reach high with my left arm. I feel that if I was younger, something would be done. I also fee that after you reach a certain age doctors don't want to waste time on you! Maybe I sound bitter and I don't mean to. I have a strong faith in God and I know he will get me thru this.