Thanks Payne. I may be putting the cart before the horse but I just worry about these details. In a positive case scenario, I would not need the pain meds for longer than that but what if it is not a positive outcome? I have emailed with someone from another support board I am on, she had a more involved fusion years ago and said she did not need heavy pain meds for more than ten days.

I need to remember to make a list of questions for the doc. Worry is really starting to do me in. I also have the hematologist appt this week. That is for the discrepancy on my MRI with the bone marrow signal. My sister is telling me not to worry prematurely, but I have nothing to do lately BUT worry. The signal could be caused by other things other than a blood illness.

I'm just a worry wart.