No Surgery!!!

So I went to see a new doctor, a neurologist this time, let's call this one Dr. N.  I asked Freddie to go with me as I was worried that I might not have the guts to ask all the questions that needed to be asked - and I did prepare!  I had a whole list of questions that I found online and wanted to make sure that I didn't miss anything.  I was fairly nervous in the morning and although we got there on time, we still had to wait 30 minutes, but when Dr. N. came in, it was clear that he had read my file thoroughly.

The long and short of it is that there are significant problems, but due to the multiple discs involved, Dr. N. didn't feel that this would be an easy surgery.  Dr. N. also indicated that in a recent research study it was noted that 4 years post surgery, there was no difference in satisfaction or pain level between those that had surgery and those that didn't.  Dr. N. felt that in my case, we'd need to repeat the surgery in 4 years if we chose to do it now.

So I'm happy that I don't have to endure the pain of surgery or risk making my problems even worse, but at the same time I'm also sad as I had hoped that perhaps there was a way to end this constant pain.  My emotions are mixed right now and it will take a bit of time for me to totally absorb this news.