Hi All,

Thanks Justin - yes, I am aware of the issues with adjacent segments - and part of why I'd likely have to quit trying to race . Actually, I've already given up all the impact related sports in my life, and I will probably have to stop the racing/competetive nonsense soon anyway, since most of my other joints are just as messed up as my back. That is the bummer about auto-immune disease, it attacks everything. But that damage is done, and can't be reversed. (I have Celiac with DH expression, and all the associated connective tissue damage/degeneration - the diet works fine now, but since it wasn't diagnosed until I was in my 40's after 10+ years of clinical expression things ain't what they used to be... bad dermatologist, no biscuit! Though, to be fair it was about the 8th Dermatologist who figured it all out, and did so in one glance. My symptoms were textbook, for anyone who had read the text....).

Now the good news, is I had my consult, and Dr Ostrup felt that a micro discectomy would suffice, as the nucleus of the disk didn't look too bad, and the bulge was well contained, just in a lousy position. He also took the time to show be on my MRI's exactly why he felt that way (and had clearly reviewed them before seeing me, which was nice, and, sadly, very refreshing ). I've got an appt with my GP to confirm this (he is the former chief of surgery at the hospital where the Neuro practices, and is very qualified to give a second opinion on it - God I love that guy - nice to be able to say that about your GP!!), but my gut say go for it, and I likely will assuming the Insurance says yes.

Now, for all the readers out there, I LOVE MY KINDLE!!!!!!!! the downside is that my wife does to, so I've already had to get her one, which she also loves. I've already made a padded case for it too - the OTC ones were just too dear. If you get one of the smaller padded mailing envelopes, the new kindle fits perfectly. And if you cover it with Duct tape you can make it water resistant! $1.50 for the envelope, and I had the duct tape - beats $$$ on Amazon.

So, all in all a good week. Now I just gotta sit on my hands until all the second opinions and approvals come through <sigh> so still in that ol' waiting game, but at least on the plateau, instead of climbing the cliffside.

Cheers all,
Dave