Pain after lumbar fusion.....how long does it last?!!!

Hello everyone! I'm new to any kind of forums but I just had a lumbar 4-5 spinal fusion a little over 3 weeks ago and feel like I should be in less pain by now. I can only sleep 2-3 hours at a time before waking up miserable again. I'm so sleep deprived that I know it's making it worse. I take Diazepam 5mg every 12 hours and Oxycodone 10mg every 6 hours and I do get relief but it seems to last less than 2-3 hours. I'm only 42 years old and have a busy job as an emergency nurse and director of an air ambulance company and cannot even imagine trying to work like this. I was expecting to be back to work at 6 weeks but I can barely shower at this point, it takes everything I have in me! Is there anyone out there that can give me some idea of a recovery time? Are my expectations too high, do you think I'm doing too much with laundry, cooking, cleaning and its making it worse? The NP told me at my 2 week check up to start increasing my activities so I'm trying to do my normal household duties. I just need to talk to someone that has been through this. I feel like such a nuisance to my family, I cry every day and I'm ready to put this behind me. Can anyone share their experience and provide any guidance on if there is light at the end of the tunnel or not? Thank you so much in advance!!

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