Ed, you're not rambling at all! So sorry for your plight, but what you refer to as rambling is interesting and may indeed help us.

That you run at all is amazing to me, along with taking no pain meds. You're a strong soul aren't you?

My daily 4 mile/hour walking is the hardest thing I've found to give up. Take a pain pill, grit my teeth and do it anyway, although not as far anymore or quite as fast - some days not fast at all. Fusion has been mentioned by 2 of the 3 dr.'s I've seen but we are waiting on the CT for certainty. Don't have a dr. to do surgery yet due to $$, but I will eventually just out of dogged determination and the Grace of God. Nerve compression seems to be my biggest pain factor.

I understand completely your fear, indecision - and love of motion (running)!