[Michelle]

The one year anniversary of my surgery came and went with nary a thought. I'm still on some painkillers, but much happier with the pain levels than before surgery. At least the painkillers work. I'm working full-time, doing pilates, riding my stationary bike, and keeping up with my husband's therapies and doctors since his stroke in March. We're both hanging in there well. He's home, and doing everything himself now except things that require two hands (buttoning, laces, etc) so at least I don't have to physically help him much anymore. The worst taking care of everything does to me is stress, which may be part of the pain as well. But I'm still very happy with my decision! The facet rhizo still seems to help the local pain as well. Now my back pain is just a minor annoyance, not a major thing, so I'm thrilled!