You can only handle one trauma at a time. Get the first overwith. I do have some advise on your back also. If you are not getting the kind of responce from your neuro surgeon that you need, please look for another. While you are going through re-construction, you need to have some help with your pain, to get you through to the time you can investigate your back. You need several evaluations, lots of homework. You need the same kind of help you received with your breast cancer, the same good kind of team. Having surgery really is a last resort. As far as good back surgery results, you are talking to one right now. I did have a fist failed attempt fusion at C6-7. My second corrected all the things that were still wrong and I have a wonderful result. It was worth all the pain I went through to get to this point. There is good results that can happen with back surgery. Researching all your options and getting the right diaganosis is critical before any surgery is done. You also need to be healthy to go through it. You will need recovery time for that too. There are many here that can help with diagnostic tests, and being able to understand what they say. Try to take it one thing at a time. Deal with your current surgery and heal from that. Ask for help with your back pain as it will be awhile until you can address that issue. Don't settle for anything less than the good care you already received from those people who helped you through cancer. My neuro surgeon second time was the best in this area. It took me time to find him, and do all the research I didn't do the first time around. There is help there just as soon as you recover. I will pray that you find the right kind of physician so you will feel less anxious about your back condition. Take care Jade, I am sorry you have had so much to deal with in your life. tap back at me anytime and I will try to help you. ginnie