Pamela June,
So sorry to read your pain is creeping back already. Referred pain is so draining and difficult to understand. A compressed spinal cord sends pain down my right arm - my.only good limb - making it useless. It's like being stabbed right through the bone.
But we must not let our pain grind us down, you mention you have emotional support there in the form of your cats. Loving and stroking animals releases endorphins which do us more good than chemicals.
I can't tell you to cheer up, my own mood is regulated by Mirtazapine, but I will remind you that you are not alone and always have us to turn to.