Originally Posted by ginnie

Good idea, get both of those to address your back issues, both fields of medicine. I did the same thing, and found them to be on the same page, so I knew the surgery was right for me. As far as posting the MRI. Jo*Mar, one of the moderators I would contact. I am horrible on the PC and still flounder around a bit. Should be able to click on one of the moderators names to ask her. May try posting on the front threads again, to get more attention on the how too's of this. wish I were better at it. There is a way to put the MRI up, and alot of people just write it all out like as list for others to read. Leesa is real good at this, and Mrs.D and Doc. Smith. If you have trouble getting directions, contact me and I will write to the modertor for help.
ACCEPT help from the church. Yes, very good idea. Even if this is hard and embarassing to do. We are all the human family and need each other. Let them extend their hands to you. Take care of the dogs etc.....
Do you have a side potty chair? or are close to bathroom? This may help those first days too. since yours is lumbar, you may want a walker as well. Mine was Cervical, so I just walked stiff and upright.
I used one of those gently sloping pillows to keep my back and neck straight.
I also did all the doctors told me to do....keep wound dry. There are bandages to put over incision site that will allow bathing after a time. They keep the incision site dry. Somebody can apply that to your back for you.
My wound was in the front of my neck so I had no issue with that.
Don't hesitate just to write out your MRI or CT report. Someone will help with that interpretation stuff. I also can look up what I don't understand and help you too. Once the language of it is understood, it isn't quite as scarry.
Do go for those two different fields of medicine, that really is the best way to feel at ease with your decision, when more than one doctor agrees on the same procedures. take care, I will be here, and so will NT ginnie