Tomorrow, DH's bother is having the pre-op for an operation to separate out 3 of his collapsed vertebrae. He has dreadful rheumatoid arthritis and has had various joints replaced over rhe years. His spine is so bad that he blacks out due to lack of oxygen.
He has been told that he could end up dead, in a wheelchair or a much better. 
All this is according to my slightly dotty sister in law so can anyone give me any more info?
My Sil has never been to a consultation with him. A combination of him being bloody minded and her opting out rather than demanding to go.
He is getting the final go ahead or not along with the pre-op on Monday. We understand that the surgeons have to give all the scenarios but presumably they must be real scenarios.
Thank you obi, I have replied. 
Oh gosh. What a scary prospect. I hope all goes well. You must be so worried.
Not nearly as serious as your BiL but I had a discectomy nearly thirty years ago. It was early days then for that op and meant hooking my spinal cord our of the way. I was told 20% chance of complete success, 20% chance of the wheelchair and paralasis and 60% chance of staying same. I prayed for anything but staying the same. Your BiL is in a desperate position and it's terrible for all of you, especially him. He must have got to the point where anything is better than how he is now, but the odds of death must be very low or they wouldn't risk operating.
I do hope he's as lucky as I was and all goes well.
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