OTG,
Best wishes on the surgeries' success, those can be tough but are survivable. I've had 16 majors since 2000, 3 were on my spine, 2 laminectomies that failed and a 2 level PLIF at L4-L5, L5-S1 with full hardware. I can empathize with your pain and hope it goes well for you with the shoulder.
Bill
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Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13