Thanks for your post cmorrell its great to hear your positives, I'd say quite inspiring really.
Though not nearly as serious, I have been debilitated by back pain here and there and have spent weeks in recovery, however I spent them frustrated and didnt consider my time on my back well spent - I didnt find what you have found - to research, learn and follow.
As for the garden, its fantastic isnt it,? satisfying, fulfilling + more on many levels.
I'm off to look at the thrive.org.uk website

sounds good.
Ta
Baz