back surgery in 2013

Well, after years (11) of telling doctors that I saw on an Xray in 2001 that pieces of my spine not attached and "floating" in my back, a new doctor has found them. My pain is suddenly believed!! They appear to be pieces of two disks that broke off in the accident in 2001. A nuclear med Xray found them back then but for some reason was lost (???). Nobody believed me and thought I was just after pain meds...(gee thanks guys). My new doctor is going to co-ordinate with a surgeon and set up a date for the extraction of the fragments one which is fairly large. I cannot believe that with two MRI's every year since 2001 that they have been so elusive!  I'd almost like to sue the spine surgeon that said that other than bulging disks that there was nothing wrong with me...(bum), but I am not like that.
So maybe in 2013 some, most or all of my back pain will go away...... I hope for some relief but I must admit I am worried about them cutting on my back! I have worked in hospitals and on ambulances for over 38 years... I have seen horror stories!!  I will post again when I get a date...and boy, could I use a date.... dinner, wine, movie....lol