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iSpine Discuss I am so ready for this surgery tomorrow in the Main forums forums; Hi guys, Even tho I am mentally so ready for this surgery tomorrow morning, I have not packed anything. I'...

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Old 03-08-2009, 07:09 PM
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Default I am so ready for this surgery tomorrow

Hi guys,

Even tho I am mentally so ready for this surgery tomorrow morning, I have not packed anything. I'm just being a complete blob sitting on the sofa all morning. Started my bowel prep, so I have been making a few mad dashes to the bathroom. (tmi, I know!)
Mark has invited me and my husband to join him, a few other Bertagnoli multi-level patients (10 discs between us all!) AND my surgeon to all meet for dinner tonight at 6:30 pm. I so want to go, but it's just so hard for me to sit on hard restaurant chairs. I just feel like I'm hanging on by a thread. But, I sure want to meet Mark before surgery, and I'd like my husband to meet my surgeon before surgery. I'm in a quandry. I thought I should perhaps just play it by ear, see how the day plays out. We'll see. What do I need to pack for the hospital anyway, besides a gown, slippers, and a toothbrush? A couple magazines maybe. They have everything there. Am I missing something really obvious here guys? I could bring my med's, but they always seem to supply all that for you there. I guess I have had so many surgeries now, at least I'm not stressing about that. Just wait. Tomorrow morning when I get there, I'm sure I'll be asking quickly for some anti-anxiety medication!

See you on the other side.........

Cindylou
__________________
bicycle accident 6/01: 2 compression fractures @ T12-L1; vertibroplasty; 4/06: right hip labral tear & arthroscopic repair; 4/07: lumbar prodiscs @ 3 levels, L3-6 by Dr. Bertagnoli; 7/02/08: ALIF L6-S1; 7/30/08: reopened to remove bone cement, leaked onto S1 nerve root; 8/08: pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, pleurisy, pleural effusion; ALIF fusion complete; 3/10/09: SI Joint Fusion by Dr. Stark; Jury still out.
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Old 03-08-2009, 08:11 PM
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Good luck Cindylou. The other side awaits!

Dale
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3 level Prodisc adr S1-L3, Oct 12, 2005
Dr. B in Bogen, Germany
Severe nerve damage in left leg, still working on it
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Old 03-08-2009, 08:44 PM
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Location: delaware
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best wishes to you my dear cindy loo.
may the force be with you!!!!
your friend
chuck
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ddd 1990
2003 mri,xrays,shots,emg
2004 discogram ouch pos l4 l5
facet block neg
lost all appeals BCBS 5 months of that
3 surgeons later
surgery with dr. bertagnoli aug 2nd 2006 in Bogen Germany Successfully ProDisc-L L-4 L-5
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Old 03-08-2009, 09:51 PM
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Default Good luck Cindy

Good luck Cindy. Your courage and tenacity are an example for us all.
__________________
weightlifting injury 1990
Dx DDD 1994 L4 - S1
IDET 2001 - some initial relief but didnt last
Dynesys stabalization and decompression May 07
Removed Nov 08 Due to persistant debilitation bilateral nerve pain which resolved with removal

Last edited by johnb; 03-08-2009 at 10:54 PM.
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Old 03-08-2009, 11:21 PM
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I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.
Phylly
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Cervical fusion C4-6 March 2002
Fall on tailbone causing sciatica and back pain April 05
Conservative Treatment and PM for 2 years
Discogram concordant pain @L4-S1 Aug. 07
Prodisc ADR's at L4-S1 November 2007
Foraminotomy July 08 for Sciatica
Continued problems and back pain worsened
Prodiscs removed and discs fused at L4-S1 Feb. 09
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Old 03-09-2009, 01:36 AM
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Location: Harbor Springs, Michigan
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Hang in there CindyLou and, may the Force Be With You!

Terry Newton
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1980 ruptured L4-L5
1988 ruptured SI-L5
1990 ruptured C5-C6
1994 ruptured C6-C7
1995 Hemi-Laminectomy C5-C6, C6-C7 Mayo Clinic
Bicycle Accident 2004
MRI, EMG, Facet Injections, Epidural Blocks, Lumbar Discogram.
Stenum Hospital Surgery November 4, 2006
Prestige Disc C5-C6, C6-C7
Maverick Disc S1-L5, L4-L5
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Old 03-09-2009, 06:10 AM
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I have to tell you that with everything Cindylou has been through this week, surgery tomorrow and the obvious discomfort that she was in as the dinner wore on, she was absolutely amazing. I wish I could be so cool and charming under such circumstances! (or any time for that matter) It was great to finally meet her in person. I had a wonderful afternoon in MN with a dear friend and then the most pleasant evening with these folks...

Front row, left to right, Tim - husband to Sandra (2 ProDisc L 4.5 years) mmglobal (2 Charite's 6.5 years), Michele (3 ProDisc-L w/vertebroplasty 3.5 years), Michele's husband Clinton,

Back row, left to right, Rick - husband to Cindylou (3-level ProDisc, 2 years), Betty (Dr. Stark's office manager), Dr. John Stark



We had a wonderful dinner. Dr. Stark was blown away by the stories of such severe disablity and excellent recovery from us multi-level ADR patients. Sandra and Michele both have best-ever kind of recoveries after long and difficult histories.

I think everyone should dine with their surgeon the night before surgery!

All the best... Mark
__________________
1997 MVA
2000 L4-5 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy
2001 L5-S1 Micro-d/lami
2002 L4-S1 Charite' ADR - SUCCESS!
2009 C3-C4, C5-C6-C7, T1-T2 ProDisc-C Nova
Summer 2009, more bad thoracic discs!
Life After Surgery Website
President: Global Patient Network, Inc.
Founder: www.iSpine.org

Last edited by mmglobal; 03-10-2009 at 10:23 AM. Reason: left is right, right is left, Cindylou is in brown. Thanks KE
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Old 03-09-2009, 01:00 PM
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Congratulations on going to the dinner. I know what it feels like to be on that teeter-totter of indecision when faced with choosing between having a good time or even worse pain from sitting I'm sure you are happy that you put up with it to be with such a great crowd!

I'll be thinking of you all day, and waiting for the good news.
__________________
DDD
Herniated discs C4/5 & 5/6, L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1
Severe compression of spinal cord in two levels
All conventional therapy exhausted, including spinal injections, PT, massage, etc.
In appeal with Gov't Insurance for Out-of-country coverage for ADR hybrid surgery of above discs.
Recently discovered that I am severely allergic to all common metals used in surgical hardware except for Titanium.
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Old 03-09-2009, 02:26 PM
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I woke up and said a prayer for you and and your surgeon. Can't wait to hear how you are doing.
__________________
34 years old-
1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler
Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, accupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc
Had Baby #3 after ADR!
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Old 03-09-2009, 02:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mmglobal View Post
I have to tell you that with everything Cindylou has been through this week, surgery tomorrow and the obvious discomfort that she was in as the dinner wore on, she was absolutely amazing. I wish I could be so cool and charming under such circumstances! (or any time for that matter) It was great to finally meet her in person. I had a wonderful afternoon in MN with a dear friend and then the most pleasant evening with these folks...

Front row, right to left, Tim - husband to Sandra (2 ProDisc L 4.5 years) mmglobal (2 Charite's 6.5 years), Michele (3 ProDisc-L w/vertebroplasty 3.5 years), Michele's husband Clinton,

Back row, right to left, Rick - husband to Cindylou (3-level ProDisc, 2 years), Betty (Dr. Stark's office manager), Dr. John Stark



We had a wonderful dinner. Dr. Stark was blown away by the stories of such severe disablity and excellent recovery from us multi-level ADR patients. Sandra and Michele both have best-ever kind of recoveries after long and difficult histories.

I think everyone should dine with their surgeon the night before surgery!

All the best... Mark
Question.. Names are from Right to Left? The people in the picture's right to left? So CL is in the dark jacket? I love pictures, so thanks for posting Mark. It's nice to put a face with the name.



EDIT- This has been clarified for me, Cindylou is in the dark jacket with her hubby in the black shirt. The dr is in the light sport jacket and the office manager is in light green.

Thanks Terry for clearing this up for me; I am such a picture person, I LOVE pictures. I always tell people that I am the only person that really wants to see pictures of your kids, grandkids, pets, whatever. I just love looking at them, I could just stare for hours at pictures.
__________________
34 years old-
1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler
Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, accupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc
Had Baby #3 after ADR!

Last edited by Kathy; 03-10-2009 at 03:50 PM.
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Old 03-09-2009, 03:34 PM
Gil Denis's Avatar
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: jackson Wyoming
Posts: 349
Thumbs up Best Wishes

Hi Cindy Lou
You are on your way to the start of your new life,I pray your recovery is a speedy one.
All the best wishes

Gil
__________________
L5-S1 lam 1994
L2 to L5 DDD
L3 -L4 hern Dec 2007.
L4-L5 Annular fissure with mild central stenosis and moderate facet hypertrophy.
L5-S1DDDDD
L2-L3 Right-sided neural foraminal narrowing at and L3-L4 related to posterolateral hypertrophic spurs and facet hypertrophy.
C3-C4 limited DDD
9 injections Depo. P.T. 13 months 5 dose packs,
Nerve Block Injections.4 ESI S1
L5-S1 foraminotomy 09
L4-L5 Microdiscectomy 09 Reherniate 4-2010
Coflex-L Implants L4 to S1
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Old 03-10-2009, 10:25 AM
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Posts: 2,511
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Hey, all is well here. Keep CL in your thoughts and prayers... surgery postponed a day. Sorry... it's been very hectic... tough to find time to post. Do the math on my post times and you'll see. I'll update later when I can.

Mark

PS, Kathy was right... or left...
__________________
1997 MVA
2000 L4-5 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy
2001 L5-S1 Micro-d/lami
2002 L4-S1 Charite' ADR - SUCCESS!
2009 C3-C4, C5-C6-C7, T1-T2 ProDisc-C Nova
Summer 2009, more bad thoracic discs!
Life After Surgery Website
President: Global Patient Network, Inc.
Founder: www.iSpine.org

Last edited by mmglobal; 03-10-2009 at 11:02 AM.
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Old 03-10-2009, 05:24 PM
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Cindy,

My prayers are with you...... please keep us posted.

Todd
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Stenum Hospital * Germany

Surgery 10-19-07 ( L4-L5 Maverick disc )

For my true life story ...

go to -----> www.youtube.com

print -----> ADR surgery into the space bar

or ... http://www.maverick-disc.blogspot.com (my picture & movie updates)
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Old 03-10-2009, 09:57 PM
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Posts: 284
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Ooh, yes I hope all is well now. CL, my thoughts are with you, as you are hopefully recovering now.
__________________
Cathy

46 years old. 12-15 years of intermittent pain, 2 years with constant pain.

DDD, L4-5 and L5-S1, pain confirmed by discogram.
PT, ESI's, Facet injection and block, Acupuncture - all no help.

2-level (Prodisc-L) ADR surgery with Dr. Bertagnoli, May 26, 2009.

Currently taking Opana-ER (tapering off) and oxycodone
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Old 03-11-2009, 12:48 AM
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Posts: 2,405
Default Great photo

Mark,
thanks for this photo~ I agree it would be really cool if all patients could dine with their surgeon and friends the night before surgery ~ and everyone looks so *normal*!!!! CindyLou looks really relaxed and happy in this photo~ as does everyone!

Very very cool
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