@upstatephil Thank you, Phil. Your words mean a lot to me. I really do enjoy helping patients and explaining what I can about physical conditions. I think it really helps when you can understand visually and in 3 dimensions how the body works. I also thank you for your help for others in the spine group. While I don't have your experience of lumbar spine surgery, I have learned a lot about it and it is good to hear the details from your experience. Your positive attitude is wonderful and helpful to other members. I am a firm believer that getting onboard with a surgeon and having a positive outlook before your surgery goes a long way to help in healing and recovery after the surgery (with a good surgeon of course). I look forward to your next update after your followup. I was just at Mayo for a conference, and for the first time, saw a falcon flying near the campus. I watch the falcon nest webcam in the spring which is at the top of the Mayo building.