Docs Who Run/Stay Fit

[Longboard]

I'm not necessarily recommending managing injury/health issues the way I have been, but just for kicks here's my current tally:
(first symptoms mid- January 2012, 8'th opinion 2:30 pm today)

Three physiatrists
Two orthopedic surgeons
One primary care doc
One neurosurgeon
One sub-specialist outside of this area of concern but with extensive surgical experience over the years.

I also have an appointment scheduled with a neurosurgeon who has reviewed most of the reports from the other docs and has agreed to see me......near the end of July.
It helps having decent insurance, as well as the $ available for the deductables & co-pays.
The opinions vary from immediate major cervical spinal surgery with fusion, to "lets just wait for a while" with not much in between.
Five docs were "lets wait and see"
Three were for surgery ASAP.

Three of the "give it a chance" docs run and are otherwise very fitness oriented.
Two "you'll die if you don't get under the knife now" docs don't exercise period.
Two "wait and see" guys are regular people that are neither fit nor fat.
One "surgery now!" doc is an endurance athlete ( century rides most weekends)

For now I'm going with majority rules, backed up by the fitness level of the various doc's involved as additional criteria in weighting their opinions.
When I do get my NINTH opinion, I sure hope he's an ultra runner with a conservative take on my condition.
But what will I do if he's a ten time Iron Man age group winner declaring "SURGERY NOW!"?

 

[DNEchris]

When I do get my NINTH opinion, I sure hope he's an ultra runner with a conservative take on my condition.
But what will I do if he's a ten time Iron Man age group winner declaring "SURGERY NOW!"?

Toss a coin?

Good luck!

 

[Barefoot TJ]

It's so hard to tell you what to do, Board. I mean, I understand that if you move slightly in the wrong way you could hurt your spinal cord so badly that you could damage yourself for life. I understand that you may have some more time before you just HAVE to have surgery. How much, we won't know. I understand if you don't have the surgery, you risk paralysis later with a wrong move. I understand if you do have the surgery, there's no guarantee that you still won't get worse and you could still face paralysis. I understand that if you do have the surgery, you may be better off. I am concerned. I know you have soul-searched this to the ends. In the end, ultimately, you are going to have to decide. Please know that we will all be thinking of you and praying for the best. Much love.