Thank you all so very much - these posts mean a great deal to me.
I'm not overly concerned with the surgery - I've had much worse - but then I was younger too. It seems that age slows down the healing and recovery process. I'll be in the hospital for 3 or 4 days, and then very restricted with what I can do when I get home, at least until after my first post-op visit which won't be till after Christmas. No bending, lifting, stretching, twisting, pushing, pulling, reaching - hmmmm - what's left? Total recovery should be in about 6 weeks or so. I'm willing to put up with a few weeks inconvenience to get rid of this horrible pain tho - it will be so worth it.
Again - thank you friends. :love: