Brian's Back

We'd had a bit of a rough holiday weekend and week, so far, with Brian's back giving him issues. At this point, we'll try to decide if and when he needs surgery, based on what the experts at UW tell us this morning. His disc at L4 is severely herniated, so much so that the MRI of it pushing on his nerve looks like an almost completely pinched hose. Everyone's response when looking at the MRI film seems to be, "Oh my gosh!" Nope, its not good. His Dr.'s think its an old injury that has gotten worse over the years. We don't want to jump into surgery...so that is why we are wanting more opinions than the ones we've already gotten. Brian is able to walk to and from the bathroom, w/ the help of crutches, and he's on good and heavy pain medication 'round the clock. He also had an epidural while he was in the hospital, so that has helped to numb his lower back...just enough to take the "edge off" he says. Hopefully we get a little better bearing on which direction to go, after our appointment at UW this morning.