I do thank you, Deidre- I marked my mood as inspired, because upon reaching this site and marvelling at the range of folks who, like me, are here either having had SCS procedures or in contemplation seeking information. Yesterday marked my first real opportunity to delve into deep reading regarding the workup, surgery, and recovery. What a great help it is to learn of the paths taken by those who have gone before me.

I know anytime someone's fingers are in there pulling muscle aside to remove a section of bone, insert some body foreign hardware, and then reassemble Humpty Dumpty once more there is bound to be post surgical pain of recovery. In this there is certain to be a follow on period of weeks to restore function and resume strengthening. You all have helped me gain perspective in this as once more the surgeon's scalpel is contemplated.

This morning, I meet at the orthopedic surgeon's office, this time to review EMG and MRI results. Not many days later, I get to meet a psychiatrist to pursue the mandatory pre-implant evaluation. Questions about this latter topic drove me here in the first place, and wow, I learned more, much more than the welcome information regarding mentally intrusive psych probing.

I feel more at peace with the decision to move forward on this path, and your remarks are among those aiding my restful mind. Sure, I can do this again! I deserve it. My wife and children deserve it. Attaining some better measure of control over pain through the device is my goal. I am reaching for it. Mark56