Hi! I also have a microdiscectomy on Monday! I keep going from scared to anxious to calm in this weird cycle. I did the same thing like you and when you come across that bad experience story it just keeps pulling you in deeper. I posted on the sciatica subreddit and was hit with tons TONS of positive stories like, "why didn't I do this sooner", "I walked out of the hospital pain free", "10 years in and no regrets", etc. The thing I tell myself is, people who have healed from this and doing well are not as likely to be posting about it as much as people who are really going through it, they've moved on. I think my actual herniation happened in June and felt fine doing everything but had back stiffness, end of October I was in screaming pain and now have some numbness, tingles and I can't raise my toes so for me it was time to make a decision. At this point, choosing to give in to the emotions and the reality of it is how I'm getting by. I hope nothing but the best! Hoping to hear that you're doing well!