back problems

[Ray]

I suffered for 16 years before any doctor would do surgery on me.
They all wanted to sign the disability papers and keep me home.
But I didn't want to live on a few hundred dollars a month. So I toughed it out and
stayed at work with the pain.
I did finally find a pain management doctor who did some good, without medication.
That lasted about 5 years, then I lost feeling and movement in one of my feet and my
leg got numb for the first 8 inches above the foot.
They had to do something after that.
I had to quit hunting cause I couldn't stand too long or brush up the blinds.
I had to quit fishing cause I couldn't take the movement of the boat sitting or standing.
6 months after surgery, I bought a fishing boat.
I still have lots of pain in the morning, but it eases up after an hour or so.
Lots of sitting or standing still bothers me, but it no longer feels like someone is sticking
an ice pick in my back.