Friday morning, she was having some pretty severe intestinal problems. Vomiting and other fun symptoms too. You can only imagine how painful that would be, 1 week after abdominal/spine surgery. She left a message at the AlphaKlinik. In between surgeries, Zeegers called her. Fearing post-op infection (which Zeegers has ZERO incidence of), he said he'd send an internist by to see her. (Not, "take a cab to the clinic!")

A while later, the internist calls and says he's on the way. This is the same guy who we saw before the surgery, taking blood work (himself), asking about history, ordering chest x-rays, etc...) "I'm on the way over."

OK, so they make Hotel calls.... not too big a deal? He shows up with a backpack. He spends almost an hour with her, giving her a physiology lesson. He takes her BP and pulse-ox. He's got a portable EKG and explains everything. He's got a portable sonogram that's about 1/4 the size of a laptop (one of 4 in Germany). He starts the sonogram and gives her a FULL BODY SCAN. He discusses everything with her, showing her each major component of her body. He captures each organ with a digital picture that he'll email to her and send hardcopies too. She discovers that she has a small nodule on her L kidney that will need to be looked at when she returns to the states.

The good news is that there is no evidence of any post-op infection. Her intestines have not restarted peristalsis very well and must be watched. Not too serious a problem, but she's got 4 more days before she leaves so there is time to watch her. He gives her 2 shots, plus 4 more meds.

Like in the states, payment is due at the time of service. Drum roll.... get ready... here it comes.... $295. I still can't believe it!

Mark

PS. I can get down on one knee to rummage around in the bottom of the floor mini-bar. I can tie my own shoes. Last night, I slept on my side. I could not do that BEFORE the surgery!!! No retrograde! Keeping my fingers crossed. I did overdo yesterday and will not do that today. Even so, matching just 1/2 my activity level yesterday, we are going to attempt a short trip to a museum today. That's just a 5 minute cab ride each way. We figure we can spend just an hour or so and still feel like we've been out and about. Now that the spasm's are not so severe, I can differentiate between my various pains. I have incision pain that is relatively minor. I have the muscle spasms, which existed prior to the surgery and don't seem to have anything to do with it... and, I have low back pain. But... IT'S NOT MY LOW BACK PAIN!!! It's the new, post surgery pain from the trauma of having the endplates roughed up and pins hammered in to distract the disc space. I can't tell you how happy I am right now! Love to all, Mark

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2/25/00 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy L4-5, 10x15x7 mm left paracentral protrusion

9/23/00 CANCELED L4-S1 360 fusion CANCELED

9/15/01 emergency microdiscectomy L5-S1, 14x13x10 mm left paracentral protrusion

Both discectomies resolved hip/leg/foot symptoms, but left the underlying back pain. Residual left foot pain and numbness. Lost axial reflex (left ankle).

Researching artificial disc options. ProDisc vs. SB Charite III looks like a toss-up.

Happy for you, man! Continued good luck with your recovery.

First off: glad you're finally seeing the BEHIND of the pain monster. LOL

SECOND:

Hugs. Take care.

Your post made my night. I am so happy and excited for you.

Can't believe the "hotel call" made by that doc. Always sad to hear where our great country fails in comparison to others.

Incredible progress, I am totally impressed. Keep getting better.

I don't think that this is an example where you can compare one country's system vs the other's. In the US, I have access to the care based on insurance available to working class... maybe on the good side (I don't need referrals to specialists, etc...)

Speaking to German people from the time we got here, it is clear that the AlphaKlinik is not available to the everyman here. It is a private clinic that only the affluent can afford.

I'm looking forward to our future battles! Internet access here is very slow and I don't have a very ergonomic setup, so I still won't be posting a lot... but wait till I get back!!!

Love,

and i'm so thrilled for you and your courage and determination. thank goodness all is looking good for you now.

may i have your autograph, pls?

dee

I'm delighted for you! I know what you mean about the pain not being the same old pain; you can just tell. Sorry you're still hurting, but an hour in a museum sounds good to me. Keep posting. My L4-5 is always happy to hear from you!

I'm so happy for you.

Love,
Jean

Hope you have continued success and take it easy, go slow! Do not overdue! You've come this far and what a long journey has been for you too. We have all learned so much from you. Like Dee said, You have great courage and determination! Thats for sure.

Be well and take it slow!

Have fun but know a part of me will be glad when you are back on red, white and blue soil.

I'm jealous hearing you can get on all the way too the floor as I'm stuck upright here in this post-op lami brace. On second thought, I don't want to be on my floors...it's dirty down there

FYI, an old OS I had (Vietnam surgeon) once told me that post op pain is always worse in any blood rich area of the body. I'd say the abdomen qualifies, don't you?

Easy does it, my friend....don't want your guts to fall back out

Vic

I love all the information and I am extremely happy that you have your laptop with you. I cannot wait to read the entire journal you have been keeping!

Ohhh loved this...
[QUOTE] I can get down on one knee to rummage around in the bottom of the floor mini-bar.

Hummmmmmm I'll bet you can
(just funnin with ya)

Enjoy whatever sights can take in, we'll be waiting to hear more on the Beautiful Country of Germany!

PS I'll bet if you stayed outta that mini bar you'd be able to go out and see more

Great to hear your feeling better!
hugs,
Bo

Glad to hear you are coming along, too! Just echoing what the others have said - easy does it, okay? You do not want to undo all the progress and reduction in pain that you are enjoying now! You will get better day by day, and the times goes by pretty fast once you get used to taking better care of yourself!

Three cheers for you!!

Hugs, Jacquie

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Friends helping friends....

--50yrs old - Mom of 2 grown kids, married 27 years
--MVA on 5-1-99
--Disc buldges at C3-C4 and C4-C5
--Also rotator cuff tear, rt. carpal tunnel
--Surgery 2/01-lami and cyst removal L4/L5
--Pain and cyst returned by 7/01
--Second surgery 4/24/02 - L4/L5 fusion with instrumentation.
--I FEEL GREAT!
--Back to work only five months after my fusion
--Case still in litigation, not holding my breath for quick resolution..

E-mail me at jfpresto@optonline.net

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Thanks for keeping us posted, this is so exciting.

Glad to hear that you are recovering from your operation, Its amazing what they can do. I will soon hear if I am worthy of one as well. I am keeping my fingers crossed, my chiro says that I am not because there are too many levels involved. My chiro works in the back clinic that I go to. He is the Vice president of the European chiropracter union. Not bad eh. He is a super nice guy and he always takes my feelings in account, he has done more for me than any Dr.

I wish you a speedy recovery and I hope that you and your wife are "enjoying " yourselves even though all the pain you are going through.

Keep up the hard work and keep us posted.

Love and Hugs!

I am so happy for you! I keep saying it over and over. What can I say!

Enjoy the rest of your stay.