My mind does wander about, looking for exercise I assume.

I've had my own tests done last week, as well. In my case it was an MRI of the spine checking the final configuration after the fusion. I discover I have issues with bending over to work on cars, especially if I have to tug on or lift something in the process.

It turns out two things are going on. First, the fusion itself is solid, which is good but has its costs. The lack of flexibility caused by making what was articulated into a single monolithic structure is something the body has to compensate for. That compensation is similar to that experienced by someone with a prosthetic limb; it takes a lot more effort to work around than it would otherwise do, so one's endurance is affected pretty markedly.

The next issue is a truly annoying one, for the disc above the fusion is collapsing, which explains the nerve impingement symptoms that are becoming more and more evident. Of course, this is only to be discovered by reading test results on the "portal" and being able to understand what they say (Army medic training is useful in that regard! GRIN!) I've not heard about it otherwise, no call to discuss results or set a follow-up appointment; indeed there seems to have been no reviewing of the results by the people who ordered the test now four days ago. I guess its on me to tell them? What a system!

Anyway, it's quite clear that my car-mechanic-ing days are pretty well over. I can't crawl under them nor bend over top, so having three which require the attention I enjoyed giving them to keep them in good nick isn't working anymore. I can't keep up with them.

We'll see where this all goes medically, but a rethink of my car fleet is underway. Although I adore them, its time to shift them. Once the workshop is (sadly) emptied, something that I can stay in driving practice with, but can be handed off for maintenance and repair in the manner of my dailies is squarely in my sights.