Way to go K_S! One of my best friends is a PM&R doctor, and he says that keeping an aggressive (yet reasonable) recovery schedule and excercise regimen is vital to the healing process. Here's hoping that you're outta that brace soon.
First of all, welcome back, and I wish you a speedy recovery. A close relative of mine underwent this recently, and three months later he is still having a rough time, although he has improved tremendously. He can't see it, because of the painhe still sees himself in, but others such as myself have noticed the fact that he has almost removed his need for a cane now. He wears a "portable brace" that also runs electrical impulses through his torso to help strengthen his back, but rarely has to hunch or live in constant pain.
Second of all, look at it this way - if you also had surgical emplacements into your vertebrae, your back is theoretically stronger than what you were born with.