Hi Ginger,
I am 33 days post op (open proc.) and I thought I'd answer a few of your questions. First, I don't know how effective an epidermal is, but I would advise avoiding the morphine drip. I used it (I thought sparingly) but suffered horrible horrible nightmares and waking hallucinations. After two days I told them to take it off my IV. The pain I suffered was not from the actual surgery, but because I irritated my scaicia while on the table. I was up and walking with minimal discomfort a day after surgery. They won't feed you semi solid food until you pass gas and the best way is to walk. It only took a couple of laps up and down the hospital hallways before I passed gas, and the trick still helps now, as I try to eat enough food to fill the protein requirement. Don't be nervous. You relax and let the professionals do their jobs. God bless you, and I pray for the best results for you.
Albert