Finally had my back surgery on the 24th and all went well. It was a 6 hour surgery which was to be a laminectomy and fusion of L2 & L3 which went very well. He saw a lot of scar tissue on the previous L4 & L5, so he cleaned that out and redid that fusion as well. We are very pleased with the neurosurgeon, Dr. Garrett, and the hospital, Chandler Regional MC. The VA covered the surgery through community care since I preferred to have a neurosurgeon work on my spine at a local hospital vs an orthopedic surgeon at the VA hospital, which would be almost impossible for Alesa to drive to. The surgery solved my main problem of not being able to walk or stand for long but I still have some leg pain. This is to be expected since it will take the nerves some time to recover from being constricted for so long. My 2-week check-up went fine but I will have to wear my back brace for another 3 weeks. It’s a pain and I must wear it whenever I am not lying down. I will also continue with my mantra, “No BLT”, no bending, lifting or twisting. I have been walking a mile or so every day for the last 2 weeks and am finding aches in muscles and joints which have not had much use the last few months. Yesterday, I walked four miles and clearly overdid it so I will be back to a mile or so until I get stronger. The back held up well yesterday but the knees and the hips weren’t so happy. Many Kudos to Alesa who has been a wonderful caregiver and had no problem getting me to and from the hospital after much concern on her part. She is still having a problem with her shoulder after her fall a month or so ago. After a few tests she is now doing physical therapy and is happy with it so far.