Well, happy New Year to all. As I sit at the computer and think about the year.... let me focus on my back. Last New Year's Eve I went to the movies with my husband and friends. I wore lidoderm patches, took lots of drugs, even wore a girdle in hopes that it would help. I seem to remember being in pain all the evening. So, now a year later we have the same plans with the same friends which is great...I am still going to be wearing the patches, taking the drugs and perhaps not the girdle as I do not think it helped much. Last year I had Doctor appoinments and injections that did no good. This year I feel pretty much the same. I've seen a neurologist who thinks perhaps he can help ... that would be nice. Not expected..but very nice. I still have hope that this can be cured or dulled in some way. I shall keep looking . I am lucky that I can still do my job and am not completely disabled as many people are by pain.Enjoy what you can...and hope for the best . That's what I have to say for this year!