I can help just a bit with your MRI. DDD stands for degenerative disk disease. I have it too. Most of your MRI isn't bad. You do have an issue with L4-5. This is the area of concern. There are key words in an MRI. If it says mild, or even moderate, surgery usually isn't an option. However if it states that a disk is SERIOUS in the language, you need to ask your doctor. specifically about that disk. When you have neuroforaminal narrowing that is severe, that means the nerves which run through your spine are being pushed against by the herniation. That hurts...... What has your doctor said so far about it? What treatments have you tried to date?. Please do get a second opinion no matter what. Try everything you can before you have a surgery. That really is a last resort, and of course not to be taken lightly. I will be glad to keep in touch with you. Try not to be upset, and go for that other opinion. I came to NT for the same reason you did. My own surgery turned out just fine, so if you do have to have this corrected, know that there can be a good outcome. ginnie