My back

I finally saw the spine surgeon today, and as expected, the only option for my problem is to have surgery.  An L4-5 laminectomy with a titanium implant to keep things opened up (called a non segmental instrumentation for those who like to google!) 

The surgeon said my condition is severe (apparently we heard that previously but I managed to block it out!) So he suggested sooner than later and so my surgery will be on November 1, giving me a month to recuperate enough to head to Hawaii right after Thanksgiving.  

So after months of tests and doctors, I now have a plan and a path forward. Thank you to you all for your good wishes and kind sentiments. It's greatly appreciated.