Green light for Bette's surgery

We went to see Dr. Lal today and thorougly discussed the pros and cons for Bette's planned surgery, and have decided to go ahead with it, next Monday. Turns out it won't be as extreme as we first believed, but still major work to be done. As with most back surgeries, nothing is totally guaranteed, but we're going ahead. Surgery will be Monday, up to three days in the hospital, then two to three weeks pretty much bedridden, then up to three months house recovery, which puts us on schedule for a post Christmas departure for California and beyond, for the big circle trip.