kbrooks,
Yes, many of us have experienced being active and in great shape; then suffer an injury and watch the body atrophy into a blob of jelly because we're in too much pain to move. Condolences and welcome.
I think that getting an opinion from a doctor that is pro-ADR would be prudent. If you decide to pursue ADR, then getting opinions from multiple ADR doctors would be wise. If their prescriptions converge, you can proceed with confidence that you are making a good decision.
A note about fusion at L5/S1 ... ADR doctors seem to be less likely to do ADR at that level than they were in the past; opting for fusion with increasing frequency. So I'd encourage you to remain open to fusion, especially at that level. I am acquainted with a woman that has completed multiple marathons and an Ironman with an L5/S1 fusion; so it's not necessarily going to prevent you from doing what you love to do.
Good luck!
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C4/5 - ACDF in 2000
C5/6 - ACDF in 2002
C3/4 & C6/7 - M6 ADR, Nov 2009, Barcelona
Conceded defeat to a manifestly disingenuous BCBS-TX in my quest for reimbursement, Jan 2011
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