thanks for sharing your story, milk monitor. What a terrifying experience! Good on you for keeping your head amidst all that--if I'd been alone I'm not sure how I'd have fared...

I had an epidural anesthetic, too. Anything with the word "spinal" in it scares me but I had a lovely Chinese anesthetist (a soft-voiced man)who answered all my questions and set me at ease.

I appreciate your comments on the "to remove or not to remove" the metal bits, too...I think it is too soon for me to know if I will go that route, maybe wait a year and see if it interferes with my activities. I'd have the same surgeon do it and he lives far away from here--ironically the only time I could do it would be right after camping in that area during the summer--just like when I was injured!