Well, the meeting with my old boss got me nowhere. He can't hire me for at least a year and the interim job he was trying to get me has been filled. Also, my leg pain as increased in the two weeks since I've seen the surgeon and I am now trying to get an ESI scheduled NOW, to see if it will make any difference. If it doesn't, I realized that waiting till next year for surgery is probably a stupid decision, both financially and physically. As it is I still haven't met the $1000 deductible for this year (but would if I have the ESI), so why should I live in pain for 4 more months (which I really think I would -- this is not getting any better) and then have to start all over with the deductible next year with the surgery. Stupid all the way around. Plus, it just keeps me stuck here, depressed, which certainly isn't helping the situation. So I think the plan is changing. Basically, I am literally adding another part of my life to my "get off your ass" plan!