Well, surgery is not exactly a cool way to spend a birthday, but in 2006 I had one of my deep back surgeries to remove bony spine growths from an earlier fusion. It was a great birthday present!

So...... how about the back. My stim is Boston Scientific and the paddles are mounted at T8/T9. I get stim sensations all of the way from my waist [the natural waist, not like the low hips where designers are saying jeans should be worn nowadays] down through my thighs [I am numb below the kneees]. Thus, depending on what you receive, where it is mounted, and the means by which it functions, it is possible to receive lumbar sensations from the SCS. I do. I am sorry Jackie does not. That is truly a bummer.

Regarding work, I worked as General Counsel to a large corporation before my car wreck, and now that I am withdrawn from all pain management meds and manage the pain with my SCS and my cushion, I am hard "pounding the pavement" visiting people I know doing much networking in an effort to regain employment. This is my goal. You may not be able to perform convenience store work any longer, however, you may be able to do something else! PoohAC is a Registered Nurse and works in operating rooms. RRae is an office administrator for a Radiological Oncology practice, and KZLRogue has been golfing. Perhaps you and I, and Jackie for that matter can find some work if we can zero in on the right thing!

ZZ
Mark56