Thanks, Cinta. I feel I have little choice unless I want to live the rest of my life on narcotics. No, I take none so far. I don't even take Advil unless I know I am about to do something or have done something (digging in the garden/yard) that will cause significant pain. I have had chronic back pain for fifty years and sciatic pain for the last twenty five, so its not like I can't take pain. Perhaps it is my age, but I have grown weary of that pain. I feel I have nothing to lose and everything to gain with the surgery. By the way, I had back surgery in 1990 for a twice-ruptured disc, so I do have some experience in both the surgery and the expectations.
I apologize for getting off-topic.
