I wish you all the best Paulette and I will be following your progress very closely. I am not bad enough to warrent surgery, I was, before my back problems a bike racer and grew up ski racing so I feel your pain (pain of not getting out and doing stuff). It's as if the life I've known for 20 years (I'm 31) has been turned upside down.
Is your disc too bad to warrent a micro-d? I had one in Jan 04 and had a full recovery and I think if I had not been stupid in my recovery and pushed it too soon I would be fine right now. I did not reinjure the surgical sight in terms of rehern, but now am suffering from IDD (internal disc disruption and possible annular tears) that leaves me with almost no back pain but incredible amounts of sciatica in both legs.
Anyway, don't want to poach your post with my sob story
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Good luck
ciao
dmh
ps: my sister used to live in Tahoe City and worked at Granite Cheif in Squaw, I know the area well. It must be so hard to be in such a beautiful place and not be able to get out. I am so sorry!