Interestingly I am in contact with a fellow sufferer who is awaiting his operation date for a 3-level ADR (similar in position of discs, his age 7 years younger) at the Alphaklinic in Germany with the other top surgeon Dr Zeegers. He has been on the same journey of doubt over ADR over a similar time period but has concluded he must have the op in order to regain his former active life-style. It will fascinating to hear how his operation goes and to talk in real time to him in his hospital bed about the experience via Instant Messenger. He will also maintain a blog (like this one) so others may learn. I have heard also from woman who had a 3-level ADR around March of last year and who is only just getting her life back- in her case the recovery was much slower than she had anticipated.