Sightseeing on Wednesday,

Discogram Thursday,

Surgery Friday,

Typically, patients are released from hospital on Tuesday,

Post surgical x-rays and exam either Thursday or Friday,

Then... Fly home Friday... 1 week after 2-level disc replacement.

That's the plan. That's the way it's gone for all of my references. (A few have stayed in Munich for a few extra days to heal a bit more before the long flight home.)

I can't wait... this has been a long trek.

I might have decided to do this 2 years ago. That would have been wishful thinking. I might have done the 2-level fusion as well. I have high expectations, but I know full well what the potential outcomes are. I have no regrets. I have done everything I could... waited as long as possible. I think I've done my homework!

You all have saved my life, several times over the last few years. What can I say... except...

THIS FORUM ROCKS!!!

Mark

PS. A special thanks to Dr. W for his incredible willingness to share his experience, knowledge, and most of all, his time. Doc, I cannot express how much you have helped me throughout this process.

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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.

SCHEDULED L4-S1 Artificial disc replacement, 9/20/02, AlphaKlinik, Munich, Dr. Zeegers, SB Charite' III

quote:

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Originally posted by pogiboy:
And of course your experience will be invaluable for us--pls keep a good diary. Cause I will not be surprised if me and others will not be making that trip.

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Pogi, I hope you meant that you'll not be surprised if you and others WILL BE making the trip!!!

Im Munchen ist ein haufbrauhaus

(An old German drinking song)

Wishing you the very best! Love and prayers for you. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and spurring the rest of us on to continue to ask questions. Some of us may be forced by our circumstances for whatever reasons to continue to have fusion surgery.

But your discussions keeps ADR in the limelight and hope on the horizon........as I said before "Thank you" to you and Dr. Whitworth for sharing information so freely.

I am so impressed with everything about the way you have gone about this.......you've done your research, you have educated yourself, etc.

You are one of the nicest guys I've ever met! YOU ROCK!

Karen

Love,Lisa

You have done all you could on this so, like you said, no regrets. I know this will be the end of all this for you and soon your life will return.

I still have not forgotten about that soccer game we are supposed to play some day. Just waiting for you...

Unfortunitly, this means you will be up and around by election day....LOL
Love,
Jean

It's me telling myself something like.... Note to self "don't forget to have the internist send a copy of your pre-op lab results to your GP that asked for them or you need to decide who you are going to leave your house key with and get it over there or where did I write my autologous blood donation number down at because I'm going to need it since I gave my blood in one town and it had to be shipped to the other town where I'm having surgery at, and I got a phone card for my family to use but I hope it's enough minutes. Maybe I should get another one at Sam's. They are the cheapest at 3 cents a minutes. Okay, Vic pick one up at Sam's. How can I squeeze in a trip to Sam's (across town) today. I need a brain turn-off switch. Well, I sort of have one, snicker snicker. They are called Ambien.

Friends, my brain is going to need a long rest by the time my back surgery is over.

Mark, I'm going to be on pins and needles (pun intended) until you get to check in SD3 and let us know how you are doing with your new bionic spine. I'll be praying for you and your bride.

Have lots of German fun, okay? Please forgive me for not responding to your last email. I admit it, I can be an email slug. Maybe after our respective surgeries we can e-jam again. While over there, if you run across any of my German ancestors named Folkner, say howdy from me. If they offered to make you kraut, accept it. It's the best ever. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they poured all that dark beer down the drain. It's yuck, but I'm not a beer drinker. Don't like the taste and it makes me act stupidier than I really am.

Rock on,
Vic

Jo

P.S. Also want to thank you for being one of the first spineys to help me when I came here. I never knew what I was going to expect and you had hit it right on the nail. By the time I went for my NS appointment I already knew what to expect and had all my questions ready. You've been a terrific contributor here and I just want to thank you personally for being here for me .

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• (2 surgeries)June 26 & March 6, 2002 - Left L5-S1 Laminotomy Microsurgical Diskectomy - Still having pain
• Jan. 22/02 - Facet Injections C3/4, C4/5 and C5/6 - Unsuccessful
• Problems with L4/5, L5/S1, C3/4, C4/5, C5/6 & C6/7
  

Well deserved! Have fun (sightseeing) in Germany and am looking forward to hearing your great SUCCESS story!

Yes, this FORUM ROCKS, and it's people like you that makes it ROCK!

Love ya, Kristen

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03/20/99 -- Fractured L1-4 -- Horse fell on top of me. ER and the Ortho Docs I was seeing failed to check my neck, although I complained -- so 1 1/2 years later I get to have an ACDF.
09/29/00 -- ACDF C5-7, decompression of spinal cord & nerve roots
03/19/01 -- Microdiscectomy L3-4, decompression of nerve root
1/7/02 Laminectomy L3-4, decompression of nerve roots at L2-3, L3-4, L4-5 bilaterally, clean out of facet joint L-4, clean out of epidural fibrosis at L3-4, and decompression of cauda equina.
05/01/02 -- Out on disability and going to Feldenkrais Therapy.
ACDF C3-4 scheduled for 10/11/02.
*************************
2002 -- Dx with Meralgia Paresthetica
2001 -- Dx with Chronic Myofascial Pain
1995 -- Dx'd with Fibromyalgia
For more info on FMS/CMP go to http://www.sover.net/~devstar/

I'm so happy for you.

I can't wait to hear your success stories, and to know that we now have a good way to treat spineys that need fusion -- WITHOUT FUSION!

GO DO IT! My prayers are with you

Jim

Good for you Mark. An informed decision. I'm sure with your extensive research you have gained confidence in this procedure. And that confidence will help you heal after a successful surgery.

Hopefully, you'll soon be off disability, and back to work. Bless your whole family for their support.