Best wishes, Dennis! Went through fusion L4 and 5 in 1999 - or 98 - don't remember - pretty fuzzy with the morphine. If legal in your area, Laratin or Laratine is and was MUCH better pain reliever and was not addictive for me. I was up to 3 miles a day, walking with my wife. This med was taken off the shelf in Canada. Too bad - that is when my major pain started. Morphine only makes things and memory fuzzy - it was not a good pain reliever for me although I was on it for 12 years. All the best in your recovery, Dennis. I surely hope this is less of a chore, for you.
The alternative, is not worth it. If you need it, you NEED it. It is better NOW, than before surgery, that is for sure.