I used to be a dancer [with and for my wife], skier [alpine, as fast as safety and ski patrol would allow], mountain biker, hiker, long rifle hunter and such... oh, and I used to have this way cool career caring for the needs of clients all across the nation..... that changed courtesy of a driver who could not pay attention on the road.

So, from the list above I now can ride my bike [a new Specialized] albeit on the roads and not off paved terrain..... but then, It is because I cannot feel a doggone thing below my knees anymore. That way cool career, we kissed it and most other possessions we could sell goodbye in order to live through the years we had no income because I was drug managed through pain. NOW, I am rebuilding that career again. I feel blessed to have a loving family and a work situation which is pretty darn good with people who care.

Things are different, and I use a cane and a couple of wheelchairs when necessity calls [and it does]. This is my circumstance. The good thing, is with the SCS I am no longer on the mind numbing meds to control pain any longer..... this is how I was able to sit for the Texas bar exam just this past week. This is how I am regaining career presence which now reaches beyond the U.S. This is how good stuff is panning out.

Your path is your path. Whether to go for the gold of SCS is a pain management issue, and no promises are made whether you will attain restoration of things you so loved to do. My injuries were substantial enough as described above I could no longer do some of those things like ski with our children. It depends on your case profile whether restoratives will fit the goals you have in mind.

I do know from these threads, one of our once and former posters KZLrogue is former Army and really enjoyed combatives, karate, and golf. She now enjoys those things again at last report. Each is built according to their own blueprint. You and your Doc can have a deep conversation about potentialities for return. Give that conversation a whirl.......

All the best,