santahog,
When I was in your shoes, I prayed just to be able to go to the bathroom without pain. I prayed loudly and often and my prayers must have been heard because I recovered without surgery...and, of course, with the help of a Baltimore Orioles' club neurosurgeon whose therapies caused me to pray even harder. I wish you all the luck and am praying...loudly...for your recovery. You will make it.