DJ - on a optimistic note. . .
Pain drove me to a couple of information seminars by spine surgeons.
During one of the seminar question & answer sessions, an old codger stood to speak.
He claimed to have had extensive back surgery involving many rods and screws.
He said that he was in good condition and could do all the things that he wanted to do.
(I don't know what he was doing there as everyone else was in pain - I guess that he was very happy with the surgeons work.)
Anyway, his claim, while scary, was encouraging.
Hopefully, you will be able to say the same and heading out on the open road next summer.