Ha-ha, practice run. (You WERE kidding, right, Brenda?) Actually the whole ordeal is in 3 stages. Stage 1 will be the 25th, in which the ortho and neuro surgeons will go in through the back and remove a bit of bone from my spinal cord (been there since before birth and has neatly split the cord in 2.), then de-tether the cord, de-compress the bottom spinal joint (the only lumbar joint not fused during my initial scoliosis surgery, age 13, in which 13 intervertebral joints were fused), and lay some of the hardware for the new fusion. On Sept. 5 the ortho will go in through my abdomen and remove the L5-S1 disc (and possibly L4-L5 as well), then place one or more cages filled with bone morphogenic protein into the disc space(s). A bone graft will be taken from the pelvic crest and placed between vertebrae for fusion. Then, same day, stage 3, he'll flip me and go in the back again to cut out a wedge of bone and re-angle my lumbar (so I can stand upright again!). Then he'll attach a couple of bent rods to the vertebrae with screws, plus 2 long screws into the pelvis. All the orthopedic work is somewhat contingent upon the neuro part going right in the first op. Sandy, it will be a couple months before I'll be allowed to do any exercises, other than walking around the house to get meals, bathe, and go to the bathroom. Oh, and to lounge by the pond in my new zero gravity reclining chaise. (Gotta get me a shade umbrella!) But you can bet I'll do all my exercises when I get 'em. Thanks for all and any well-wishes and prayers. Mary, congrats on the great news about grandbaby! Enjoy! Sharon

Thanks Girls ;> I think it's neat that gardening is one of the few hobbies that has so much diversity in the people it brings together. DH has been trying to tease me about how old I'm getting but then I remind him that it's been over a decade since he saw 25...LOL! (Cradle robber ;o> Syreeta...the waders are Northern Escape's, that have the boot built in. They're not really expensive ones, but DH has had his for 8+ years and not had any problems. Shauna...guess that's why he picked up a second pair for me...light weight nylon/pvc ones...that have lots of belly room. :o) I think we'll have to get a picture of me and the bump out in the river this summer!! (And considering I already look 6-7 months along...it should be quite the bump by then!) Being pregnant is about as likely to stop my fishing/hunting, as it is to stop me from gardening... ;o) Verena (Heading out to check on my 'babies' in the greenhouse...sun's shining what a beautiful day!!)

Hi Brian!! I almost missed this until a friend mentioned for me to check this thread!!! You are so nice to give such kind compliments.. Just don't know what to say except Mahalo my friend!!! I have learned from you as well.. we all learn from each other and i agree, this is a great forum!!! Talk about hot and Humid.. today it felt like a tropical rainforest. I could hardly breath, but im sure the trees are in heaven!!! Please send me an email next time you are here in VB. it would be wonderful to meet you and for you to come over and see the trees!!! We always love to share experiences.. Peg lives close to me too! Take care and thank you again. It means so much.!! Laura

Happy Birthday Carol! and many more. Hope your hubster has something special planned for you, or maybe you did that yourself? Moni