Third times a charm...
I saw the neurosurgeon on Monday and I didn't have to plead my case for a 3rd surgery in the same location. He KNOWS I have vertebrae scraping vertebrae now and surgery is scheduled for January 12th...posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Basically, I get an artificial disc with a screw on each side connecting to the two vertebrae to keep the disc from ever slipping again and to keep the vertebrae apart. Biggest risk...100% chance of infection...eek! Doc. said once he's finished, they flush the area with sterile water for 20+ minutes before closing me up. I will have a drain at the incision site for about 24-36 hours and have a back brace to wear for 6 weeks...more for comfort than the healing process. I only have to wear it when I'm active. Back to work...3 weeks - 2 months. I'm shooting for 5 weeks since that's about all the time I have to continue to get paid. If attitude is 1/2 the battle then I've got it made! I went to have my pre-op work done today...the vampires weren't quite as enjoyable as those in Twilight would have been but I didn't bruise so I gotta give the gal some credit. I'm mentally ready, beyond physically ready, now to just get my house ready! *crosses fingers*