Jaycey told me about a spine website, that her doctor told her about. It’s spine-health.com. I think it might have a community forum, but I don’t remember, as I only used it for basic information, which I found was excellent. What I really like about this website is that it lists the pros and cons of spine procedures.
My husband had Multiple System Atrophy and had back pain for years. One neurosurgeon recommended a spine fusion, a second opinion neurosurgeon disagreed, but offered him no help.
After reading the pros and cons on this spine website, and considering other physical issues he had, good and bad, we chose not to have the surgery. While fusions help many people, this was the right decision for us. My husband‘s MSA began to deteriorate quickly after these appointments and he died within a year of the appointments. I’m glad he didn’t have to go through that recovery in addition to his MSA.
You‘ve probably never heard of MSA, its similar to Parkinson's, but has additional symptoms, which my husband had.
I suggest you find ways to make your life as easy as possible, while you are both in recovery, as you are only 25% healed in this year long recovery. If you can, pay people to do things for you, if friends want to help, let them. Someone else suggested keeping a To Do list handy, and when friends ask what can they do, let them pick something off the list. Housework, errands, etc. Don’t try to be a hero, this is not the time. Yes, your husband will need your help, but you will also need help.
Sending hugs and prayers as you both go through this!