I began with the basic back aches. Took a two story fall back in '77 and compressed my spine. Two motorcycle accidents in '88 or '89 that were pretty bad. I don't recall the year... Aside from that I've had the same life as 99% of anyone else here, lifting lot's of steel, engines, working on cars and the bus. The sciatica came in years ago beginning in the butt and then mid thigh and then several years ago one morning after working on the bus and lifting a lot of iron I woke to a numb foot. It slowly got better but came right back after any work.
Congrats on the successful surgery and welcome back. It sounds like you are doing very well. Unfortunately, pain (and sometimes lots of it) is a normal part of spinal surgery. Everything is "baby steps" for you. You need to walk as this helps to strengthen your back muscles. No one expects you to walk 5 miles. You can do you distances in short segments (remember baby steps right?) several times daily. Keep up the good work.
Had a 59 Bugeye Sprite for the wife back in the mic 80's. Then a 79 or 80 MGB, then a 81 Alfa Romao Spyder, then a 79 TR6. For the last 16 years or so i have had a 62 TR4 with a 289 and C4 out of a 67 mustang. Only get to play with it in the winter as it is now in storage in Yuma.