[rosedee]

I plan on writing in detail about my experiences at the Alphaklink a fortnight ago, but for now just want to add here my experience with Dr Baumbach. He spent from 6pm to 10pm giving me the most thorough neurological examination I have ever had. Without sight of my scans and x-rays (Dr Zeegers was very insistent I not show them to him!), he identified all the areas of my spine at which the scans had shown any pathology.

One of the important aspects of the assessment for me was Dr Baumbach's demonstration of the impact of my cervical spine pathology on my lumbar problems. This means, finally, an understanding and explanation of why for 30 years whenever I've had an acute episode, my walking has always been a "very strange" and defining feature (the speed of a toddler and as stiff as an automaton when I try to go faster and very painful), which has always either puzzled clinicians or been met with marked scepticism. Not only is Dr Baumbach an impressive diagnostician, he is very patient, kind and courteous.

As a result of my trip to Germany (planned in 4 hours flat!!), I will no longer be having 4 major, separate surgeries at the same time. And for this I owe Mark a huge debt. He was pivotal in facilitating my German consultations and in stopping me making the 2nd biggest mistake of my life (1st being my first lumbar surgery in 1982). The depth of his knowledge and understated empathy, together with the strikingly unusual respect he has earned from the top surgeons and doctors, make him a unique resource for patients.