I have to agree with Nelie and Brian and I will have to write that quotation for future reference ("there's nothing that interferes with quality of life quite like death")! Others have said "it's better to be standing on the grass than looking up at the roots". Honestly Clint we know how you feel. All of the psychology training in the world can not prepare you for this. It totally yanks the rug right out from under you. I passed out in the exam chair when they told me. It's perfectly ok to be stunned, dazed and confused (and possibly even angry, in denial or bargaining) for a few days but then you have to get with the program because hard decisions must be made quickly. Surely you must recognize the formation of the 5 stages of grief here - like grieving your former cancer free life of several weeks ago. This will all pass by quicker when you get to the "acceptance" stage.

Your actual degree of disability may not fit the worst case scenario or maybe not even be close to it. Try to stay in the "now", because future tripping on what may or may not happen will certainly drive youy crazy. The doctors lawyers instruct them to always give the worst case so you won't go back and sue them. Many here have had your procedures and are living normal, productive and rewarding lives today (key word here - "living").