Huge update
Yes, I survived my second surgery. I’ve since been able to actually sleep without pain. I’ve still got weakness in both hands but it’s slowly coming back. I’ve got some nagging pain in my left index finger that the doctor is treating with cortisone.
Let’s see, what else. I got a new tattoo started. 5 hours of work so far has gotten me here. The moose is for my kid whose nickname is ‘Moose’. The fish represents my wife as she is known as Slimy Fish. 
Hidden near the top of the work is a small raven that is to be me watching over them. Kind of hokey I know but I like the design. Still have 2-3 hours of work left to do on it.
We’re also gearing up for a trip to the Grand Canyon in March. We’ll be hiking down, spending 3 days following the Colorado River across the bottom, then climb out. We’ve gotten most of the gear and are busy getting into shape for 40 miles of back country hiking. We have to carry everything with us as it’s quite primitive camping. You really find out what’s important when you know you’ll have to carry it on your back for 5 days.
Now that I can type without pain again I’ll be able to update more often. I’ve got lots of stories backed up.