Back surgery is a big deal. My current condition is not life-threatening. I have viewed the video the doctor gave me with all the warnings. Do I have fears, concerns, worries--pick the word you like best? I would be careless not to have thoughts about possible adverse outcomes. But when I look at the near 1/4 inch displacement in my spinal column, the risk is worth the gain. I tell people life is full of opportunities for grace and courage. Well this is my opportunity for courage. People in my life will have opportunity to be gracious with me as I deal with recovery. But then, they have been gracious dealing with my condition as it degraded. I am thankful they have, but I do not want to burden them with a condition that can be improved. I saw a headline the other day about 90 being the new 40. Guess what, I would rather have my current body to recover from surgery than my "new 40-year old" body.
Yes, I know recovery will not be quick or easy. Will I be able to walk as long as I want rather than as long as I am able before legs go numb by the end on this month? Not likely. By the end of the year, by my birthday? No one can give me an exact day. Assuming all goes well, then that day will come. If I do nothing, then the 1/4 mile I can walk with my 1/4 inch spondylolisthesis will only get worse.
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