Rikki had all kinds of damage from disk stuff to stenosis to a very large cyst on the inside of her spinal column in the lower back. Surgeon got it all cleaned out, excised the bone, used it for a bone graft in another spot, and put her all back together like tinker toys - with titanium rods and pins. She'll be in a body brace for months. I don't know if I could have faced it, especially after that horrible neck surgery last year... she is such a good sport - this week, she is my hero!