Thanks dshobbies
It sure isn't easy being good
And when I'm not, it is so hard to break down and take something for the extra pain. I have to admit that those three months without being able to drive were probably the most frustrating I've had in a long time. I hate being a passenger
I'd love to get some feedback from others with similar surgeries (fusion without any reinforcing rods or screws, etc. and see how limited their activities are. My body tells me when I've gone a bit too far, but I'm not sure if it is doing any real damage, or just irritating tissue. I know a lot of it is muscle pain, as the relaxants I take do the trick. But there still is a throbbing in the spine itself at times. No sharp pains tho, so no damage so far at least as far as the x-rays show
Thanks for all the encouragement and advice.