More evidence of what a fine communal group allmanbrothersband.com is. Thanks to ALL of you for the well wishes.
I'm only two days past my surgery. Thank God for Dilaudid and Norco because the pain is just excruciating but it's getting better and I'm getting through it.
My surgeon came by my room this morning. I think I was very, very fortunate to have him on my case. My first clue about that was when my friend Dave heard his name. "He's the one who fixed my wife's neck.. He is wonderful!" And several nurses have commented to me regarding how good he is.
As he told me this morning, this was a complex procedure.. He removed discs at L2-L3 and L3-L4 and the fused both junctions together using screws and stabilizing rods. Airport metal detectors and I will have a close relationship soon.
But here's the biggie: One of those discs had slipped upward way behind the vertebrae. My surgeon said that this disc was so firmly embedded in the vertebrae that he had to shave down the bone a lot just to be able to pull it out of there.
Magician that he is, he got 'er done. Don't forget that all the while he was working in very close proximity to the spinal cord. I admire Doctors who have a nice evening at home with their family and then the next morning have the balls to do something like this.
Here's something else I found very impressive: I was in the pre-op area waiting to be taken in for my procedure. A female MD came in and introduced herself. "I will put sensors in your spinal cord. My sole responsibility during the procedure is to monitor your spinal cord and be sure we do not damage it during the procedure."
Obviously they know what they're doing at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
[Edited on 4/12/2018 by robslob]
1 - Continued good luck with your recovery Rob.
2 - This is why the good lord invented Vicodin. Almost like a witch-hunt to keep people from being medicated when truly needed.
3 - Had lower back surgery 14 years ago. The relief from the pain was one of the great joys in my life.
4 - Scariest thing was coming to in recovery under alight that seemed to be getting wider and brighter. Had the feeling that Jesus was coming to get me; and f-it ; I had picked the wrong religion
5 - Cervical surgery is scarier than lumbar cause of the level in the spinal cord. But once that hurdle is overcome remember that no matter how swelled one's head may be it is a lot lighter than a body. Makes recover easier
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center provides excellent care. Our son spent the first five days of his life there in the NICU 30 years ago.
Good to hear you are on the mend, Rob. Wishing you a full and healthy recovery!
Glad it went well, here's to speedy recovery !
Hoping for a full and speedy recovery!
I'm sorry Rob. Back surgery sucks. Per your post, sounds like the surgery went well and you're being well attended too.
Here's to a healthy recovery for ya. Cheers!
Some Stormy Monday to chill to. 
Glad you had great docs, good care, good drugs, and are on the mend. I don't even want to think about what actually was done so I skipped the details. Posts aren't the same w/o you.
Sure hope You feeling better Rob!........Peace.......joe
Get back in the race soon Rob !
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery!
With the Dilaudid, you'll be fine.
Look on the positive side about the future airport screeners, they may have to really check you out! 😉 
and spend extra time doing it, you pay enough for luggage and fees, at least you can get something out of it!
The Doctors and anesthesia people are usually great, they love what they do, and you are the star of the show. Do what they tell you to do and enjoy the peaceful feelings you will have while you get well.
Rob, Wishing you a speedy recovery and hope you're doing well.
