Laurence I had not seen this thread before now and clicked on it and of course it took to the most recent post. So I had to go back to the first and start reading. Man that is a bum deal and I know cause I have been in the same boat for a long time. However at present I am still able to do the work, it just takes me a lot longer than it used too! LOL
Being able to grind may be a matter of how much time you can invest before stopping for the day! Sometimes it requires a break from the routine, and walking away from something that is stressing you out, can be best, at least for a while. Sometimes you just have to look at doing something from a different perspective! It may require sitting instead of standing or maybe an aid in holding the piece!
My "pain management doctor" tells me the other day that down the line I may have to consider some more surgery. I told him well Doc, that day hasn't come yet! They told me back before my first surgery and spinal fussion I would be in a wheel chair in three years tops, without having the surgery. Well all I can say is today I am still walking and it will take a real lot of consideration before I have any more surgery! So I know where you are coming from there! You seem to have a good attitude about it all and believe me that is half of the battle.
After my surgery and fining out I was unable to the things I had always done before, that really got to me. I felt I had never had to ask anyone for help to do stuff and now I had to. The battle with my own demons was one of the hardest things for me to overcome the first couple of years. Then one day I realized I didn't even like myself anymore and I realized I was putting my family through the wringer for something that was no more there fault than mine, and I began to have a whole new relationship with myself and my family, and I began to enjoy life again. Hang in there and don't hesitate to give me a yell if you want to do nothing but talk.