Fused L5/S1 in 2008. Used to get epidurals in the surrounding area to help control pain. Retired from upholstering and started doing light yoga. As long as I don't do anything physically stupid, I'm pain free. I work in my garden: dig, plant, rake, weed with no problems. I'm just careful not to overdo.
Sorry to be so absent these days. I was doing alterations, temporarily, for a month while the woman who replaced me 16 months ago took a vacation. Owners called me today to see if I would split the job with the gal who "replaced me" as her health isn't great and there are some jobs she won't do and there are some things I do that she doesn't know how, for example I can hem jeans from The Buckle and the like without destroying the intricate stitching on their hems. That's a big deal to people who buy Buckle jeans. Meh. I told them I can help lighten her load but I don't want sacks of alterations every day so I'll give it a try. If I start getting dumped on every day, I'm outta there permanently. Money's great but I don't like being aggravated and I've gotten used to having time for quilting and just hanging with hub in the afternoons if I'm not super busy.