Relieved

We are home today from Brad's back surgery.  We didn't expect to stay overnight, but it was probably for the best.  The nurses stayed on top of his pain, and we were able to see the doctor one more time this morning before we came home.  How did the surgery go?  Not as planned, but hopefully the end result will be the same, relief from the nerve pain.  The doctor was not able to remove the herniation.  He could not get around the nerve to cut it out.  However, he did find an angry mess of vessels and stuff around the nerves in that area.  Apparently, Brad's nerves were formed and run differently than most people.  At first, we were so concerned with the fact that he could not remove the herniated part of the disc, that we did not see the positive side of what had been uncovered (a blessing in disguise).  Hopefully, the abnormality that did not present itself on his MRIs was the worst of his problems all along.  The doctor seems to think that he accomplished the same goal as removing the herniation, freeing up the nerves so that he no longer has the shooting pain down his leg.  He is standing straighter and walking taller.  Sweet relief!