Bob I know your pain too well!!I went through the same thing and had surgery on my back in 1987 by the seahawks doctor Pierce Scranton he did a great job!!I can pull on the sticks all day long!!But i still have pain once in a while.But Rt is right on the money about the other activities!!Im sure Fishgal will have the 12 gauge loaded a sitting by the door to keep those Swedish candy stripers and nurses out of the room!!But those sponge baths were sure nice.

Take it one day at a time Babes......
This Swedish doctor better know what he's doing.....

More advise...just what you need! I had the L4-5 thing going on 10 years ago with frequest left leg numbing and constant pain. The nerve pain and numbness went away immediately after surgery. If you wait numbness out too long you'll suffer muscle damage/atrophy that is sometimes difficult to recover from. You're doing the right thing!