To answer your questions.
1. I pretty well do what I want to however I do watch what I lift and how I lift it.
2. I still have some stiffness in my lower back but no pain the main thing is to walk and strengthen your back and stretch I need to lose weight and I think that would help me out more than anything. As for quality of life I can pretty much do what I want to I play tennis in a league once a week and do other activities with no problem.