Shari - I didn&#39;t want to go into all the boring details of my problem, but I too have spinal stenosis with the degenerative disc disease.... so our diagnoses are EXACTLY the same.  I&#39;ve known of the degen. disc dis for many years now - but this is the first time that the nerve has been impacted with the stenosis .... it just sucks, doesn&#39;t it????<br /><br />Jenn - I can imagine what you are going through.  Please don&#39;t beat yourself up, just think of all the eventualities that you are saving your dear Mom from..... she does need 24/7 care and this way she will be getting it.  We are ALWAYS here for you, remember that&#33;  I think this is possibly the best support group you could have.  Praying for you&#33;<br /><br />Deb - I too was blown away that he would just hand me off to a surgeon.  I was prepared to go into my Dr&#39;s office and discuss all the possibilities, but no, I received a phone call from his nurse who read my the MRI report and told me that they had sent copies over to the Neurologist, I must just call over there to schedule the appointment.  When I called and spoke to her nurse, she told me that Dr. Love the Neurologist doesn&#39;t treat the pain and will discuss my surgical options with me.  I nearly fell off my chair...... So I cancelled with them and pursued the other route.  Do these Dr&#39;s really care about their patients?  NO&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;<br /><br />Well I only have a 6 hour day today... I&#39;m already at my 40 hours - so that will be nice to get home a little earlier.  We will be leaving at 8 am tomorrow morning to visit our daughter and grandkids in Melbourne, after I have had my 6:30 am weigh in at Weight Watchers.  I can&#39;t believe they have such an early class, but it sure has come in handy for me.