sledge,
Do you really think the trade off of pain, for numbness, is a good thing?
I really would like to lose the pain, but would also like to be able to feel all of my body parts. Does the numbness come from nerve damage or from blood flow problems?
I will have to give this some more thought. I would love to go back to being pain free, but I guess I will have to determine the cost involved, such as numb, feet, toes and maybe even legs. Truthfully that thought is more worrisome than the pain. I've lived with the pain for 3+ years and I know what to expect there.
BTW, I forgot to mention, the doctor also told me I have some arthritic calcifications in my thoracic region ( between my shoulder blades ), so this surgery is not going to help that. It gives me pain when the barometer changes. I can tell when it is going to rain.

Probably better than our local weatherman.
Oh well, thanks for the info. Sounds like I've got some serious pondering to do.