All this is so reassuring, I've got 19 weeks to wait, unless I get a cancellation after the pre op in May. My Consultant is not at the private hospital I've been referred to (NHS pathway) too often. I feel very confident with him, he seems to be popular. I dislike the expression, 'it is what it is', but it is! My DH had a spinal for a prostate procedure a few years ago and was totally traumatised by what seems to have been an incompetent anaesthetist. It took a few goes to get the needle in. This rather prays on my mind. Today I've hardly got any pain, leading me to think, do I really need this? DH reminds me how my life has shrunk somewhat. I really appreciate all the comments on here, so encouraging.