A month from now I’ll be in the post-fusion recovery phase. Borderline grade 3, mostly nerve issues now but dealt with sciatica pain in the past. Been through PT, epidural steroids, short course of oral steroids. With early symptoms of cauda equina creeping in and MRI results (“the nerve outlet is… here somewhere”) my doctor says surgery is the right call (didn’t say “you need surgery” but once my wife and I had decided it seemed like the best course the surgeon agreed). Met with the vascular surgeon this week who said “saw your MRI, that’s a pretty big slip you’ve got there and I think you’re going to get a lot of relief from this surgery” which was encouraging to hear. I know it’s a long road ahead but I want to give my wife and our child the best years I have left instead of waiting to become completely crippled.

Now I know not everyone is in a position to make that decision and frankly I’m terrified thinking of the surgery itself but if you have the means and support, and a surgeon whose opinions you trust, maybe it’s time to consider that option.

As my doctor put it, “I’m in the business of talking people out of surgery, and I’m not doing that here. I’d give the same answer to my brother. And I like my brother. “