I appreciate everyone's comments and input. Yes, we are at last resort with this, her back guy said there is no one within 100 miles capable of doing what needs to be done and that he would never attempt it. Something about pins, rods, plates screws and using bone from her hip? all I could say was "yikes"!

I am intrigued by a couple of things said here and also had a 3am thought this morning. I know we have had several discussions about getting older here, even talked about the boating industry as a whole changing designs to help us older folks out. Does anyone have experience with in-mast furling systems and self tacking headsails? That was my 3am thought. There are five retired couples in the club that have recently purchased boats, 33'-34', that are set up with in-mast furling and small (100%) furling headsails. I never thought much about that until 3am today. Just wondering if that may be an alternative to explore?