How Strong is Roof?

Discs don't slip, they herniate.  That is the squishy gelatinous stuff inside breaks through the wall of the disk, thus reducing the thickness of the disc, which, in turn, causes nerve root irritation and pain.  

Thanks, Yes I know the difference between the actual disc and the vertebrae. I jus used that term as most people at least in this part of the country refer to the disc and vertebra as the same thing.   It was the vertebra that slipped. I basically have no disc per the Dr. He said that the one that slipped was the only one that had a remotely normal disc left. the rest are bone on bone.

The good news was, as everyone who has this type surgery are concerned with loss of range of motion. He said I was already so arthritics that I wouldn't really notice that much.

He was right. As the muscles stretch to conform to the new correct positioning of the neck I see very little difference in my range of motion.

Worse thing about the whole ordeal is I had a severe reaction to all the nerves firing again along with the extended anesthesia, pain meds etc my brain went into overload and was having severe panic attacks thinking I couldn't breath even though I knew I was fine I could not convinced my brain that I was fine. I was also having hallucinations.   It took several days to get all the drugs out of the system ... Not Fun at all...

Tom, I couldn't agree more with what you are teaching your step-son.  He is very fortunate to have someone like you as his mentor.

Thank you all for your well wishes and kind words. Hope to get that boy on the roof next week, hoping to do a short weekend in Mississippi in the next 2-3 weeks.