Gary...Donna here...
Just came across your discussion. I wish you good luck with your surgery on Leap Year Day!
Like you, I had pain for decades. At 66, I had TLIF surgery. I had a spondylolisthesis probably from birth. 35 years ago, I fractured my coccyx . Over the years the pain was always there and sciatic pain eventually was chronic. Worse after I passed 60. I had L4, 5 and S1 fused after L5 was moved back into position. Rods and 6 screws.
I had a great neurosurgeon and the backstabbing pain and radiating sciatic pain is gone. I'm thrilled. But it has taken the connective tissues - muscles, tendons, etc., quite some time to adapt to my new structure. At times I felt like my body was saying "what did you do to me??"
As we age, it's normal for healing to take longer and we have to be very careful. I found physiotherapy very helpful, but it sometimes aggravated too. My surgeon believes the best therapy for back recovery is walking and more walking as you can do it. I know some people say you should work hard in PT, but I opted not to do anything that caused me too much pain - sometimes for days. They were gentle with me mostly, but I feel best when I walk.
It's now been 19 months since my surgery. I will be very honest and tell you that I still have trouble sitting for longer times. It's still improving. I recommend you get flat foam cushions (similar to the ones in wheelchairs). Use them on hard chairs and when you start to drive again. I put mine in a totebag and take it into all restaurants, appts, and just sit on the tote bag. Easy! The cushion queen. I realize a man wouldn't be comfortable doing that, but they sure will help you at home. You can be the cushion king!
You'll be taught how to get up, turn and get out of bed and so on. Be sure to have a couple of those grabbers/picker-uppers to use because bending to pick things up won't be something you'll want to do.Try to be very patient and stay strong and positive. Don't let anyone push you to do painful things. Massages help a lot to relax surrounding muscles.
You will be ok as long as you don't overdue it or think you should be fine in just a few months. Guys are usually less patient about it, but be very careful and in the long run, you'll be glad you did. The first year won't be easy, but it will all be worth it! Each month gets better. Good luck and I'll watch your posts.
Donna
so I had another MRI done , the scan shows severe compression of the right hand side nerve root at L3 , and compression of the left hand side nerve root at L4.
I will never let my aches and pains get in the way of enjoying their company , They have turned me Grey !!! but , I quite like my Mother Natures highlights 