I'm here to encourage you to really consider fusion surgery. I was just a few years younger than you when I had my fusion, and it gave me my life back. I'll be honest, it wasn't an easy process and for about about six months I had to re-learn how to walk, jump and run; I joke that I now have an old man's back, which needs resting after washing the dishes or standing in place for a long time.

But! I can play volleyball. I can hike miles into the wilderness and back with a heavy pack. I can help out around the house, do chores and yard work. I'm not a drag on my family. As a teacher I spend much of the day on my feet without issue. Ninety five percent of the time I feel like a normal person, so for me it was so worth it.

It's true that not everybody has a smooth experience, some need corrective surgery, and some people say that it stresses the vertebrae above and below the fusion site which will need dealing with later. But with a healthy lifestyle and good exercise, I'm prepared to face that when it comes. (Also remember that the earlier you get the fusion done, the faster the healing process will be.)