Alphaklinik Success Lorna Is Back!!!!!!!

[grima6]

HI EVERYONE! HEY I CAN FINALLY FINISH MY SENTANCE!!!!!
WELL, MUNICH ENDED UP BEING AN 8 WEEK, 3 OPERATION JOURNEY FOR ME AND I HAVE TO SAY IT WAS A WILD RIDE!!
I GOT TO MUNICH WITH SOME APPREHENSION I DIDN'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE THERE AND HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE ALPHAKLINIK, ALTHOUGH MY FINGERS WERE CROSSED! ARRIVING ON DR BAUMBACHS DOOR FOR MY PRE-OP NEURO EXAM I WAS AMAZED AT HOW GENUINE THIS GUY WAS AND AS FOR THE NEURO EXAM..... "OH MY GOD''....!!!
IN AUSTRALIA NEURO EXAMS CONSISTED OF BEING ASKED A FEW QUESTIONS AND THEN HAVING PLANTER AND KNEE REFLEXES TESTED. THAT WAS IT. DR BAUMBACH ON THE OTHER HAND BELIEVES IN DOING THINGS RIGHT!!!I HAD ABOUT A 3 HOUR CONSULT WITH DR BAUMBACH IN WHICH HE LISTENED TO AND DOCUMENTED MY HISTORY AND SYMPTOMS, EXAMINED EVERY REFLEX,THE STRENGTH OF MY LEGS, ARMS,HANDS FEET, TOES ,FINGERS, BALANCE, GAIT (AND ANYTHING ELSE I FORGOT!!).

THIS IS A DOCTOR WHO REALLY LISTENS HAS A WONDERFUL BEDSIDE MANNER AND IS AN ABSOLOUTE GENIUS DIAGNOSTICIAN!! (GERMANY IS WORTH THE EXPENSE JUST TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS FROM THIS GUY).

ANYWAY, TURNS OUT THAT AFTER 3 1/2 YEARS OF OZ DRS TELLING ME TO ACCEPT AND GET ON WITH MY DISABILITY I GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS OF L5-S1 NERVE ROOT IRRITATION ( from maverick) AND CERVICAL MYELOPATHY. MY FIRST OPERATION, THE EX-PLANTATION OF THE MAVERICK DISC WAS DONE ON THE 20TH APRIL BY THE AMAZING DR WILLEM ZEEGERS. DOCTORS IN AUSTRALIA WOULD NOT TOUCH THIS ONE DECLARING IT TOO HARD AND TOO RISKY BUT AS SOON AS I MET DR ZEEGERS I KNEW HE COULD TACKLE THE PROBLEM. DR Z IS A PERFECTIONIST, A PERSON WHO DOES NOT ACCEPT A DEGREE OF IMPROVEMENT BUT RATHER ONLY IMPROVEMENT THAT WILL CHANGE A SPINEYS LIFE FOR THE BETTER! I WOKE UP FROM THE OP FEELING PRETTY GOOD ,CONSIDERING! DR ZEEGERS NOT ONLY TOOK OUT THE DREADED MAVERICK BUT SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT A FUSION WITH A STALIF CAGE AND REMOVED MY IMPLANTED NEUROSTIMULATOR (WHICH HAD BEEN TOTALLY USELESS)!
MUCH TO MY DISMAY, 6 DAYS POST-OP MY LEG SYMPTOMS CAME BACK SO IT WAS BACK TO DR Z. THE MAVERICK DISC HAD TO COME OUT BECAUSE IT WAS TOO BIG BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON. I HAD AN EXTENSIVE POSTERIOR DECOMPRESSION AND ALL LOOKED GOOD UNTIL 5 DAYS LATER LEG SYMPTOMS BACK AGAIN!!! I THINK I ALMOST HAD THE DRS STUMPED BUT THE THING ABOUT DR BAUMBACH AND DR ZEEGERS IS THAT THEY JUST DON'T GIVE UP!! THEY WANTED SUCCESSS AS MUCH AS ME!

I HAD A LUMBER PUNCTURE TO EXCLUDE ANY NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE (WHICH COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN THE CAUSE OF MY SYMPTOMS)BUT THEN SPENT 2 WEEKS WITH SEVERE MIGRANES AND VOMITING IN THE KLINIK. ALTHOUGH THIS WAS A REAL BUMMER, DR B AND DR Z WERE THERE ENSURING I HAD IV FLUIDS AND THAT I REMAINED FLAT IN BED IN MY DARKENED ROOM. ( i was also photophobic). DR BAUMBACH VISITED ME ALMOST NIGHTLY TO CHECK NEUROS AND TOUCH BASE + DR Z THEN SAID THE MAGIC WORDS " why don't we try a blood patch?" I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROCEDURE BEFORE, I HADN'T BUT IT WORKED! IN THEATRE A BLOOD SAMPLE WAS TAKEN AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE ANEAETHETIST ACCESSED THE LUMBER PUNCTURE SITE AND THIS BLOOD WAS THEN PUT AROUND THE EPIDURAL HOLE TO PATCH THE LEAK. PRESTO, NO MORE CSF LEAK NO MORE HEADACHES!!!

OKAY SO NOW WE KNEW THERE WAS NO NEURO DISEASE BUT I HAD TWO KEY INDICATORS OF A CERVICAL LESION. CLONUS ( an abnormal reflex in the foot) and spasticity. BRAIN DISEASE WAS RULED OUT BY THE LP AND A BRAIN MRI SO AS THESE SYMPTOMS CAN ONLY HAPPEN WITH A SPINAL CORD LESION IT HAD TO BE THE C- SPINE AND IT WAS!!!, I HAD A RUPTURED, C6-7 WHICH WAS CAUSING STENOSIS AND NOT 1 DR IN OZ PICKED THIS UP EVEN THOUGH MY INITIAL SYMPTOMS FROM MY INJURY WERE NECK AND SHOULDER PAIN!
WHY DIDN'T THE MULTITUDE OF NEUROS THAT I HAVE SEEN PICK THIS UP?THE INABILITY TO WALK PROPERLY OR FOR ANY DISTANCE WAS DUE TO THE LOSS OF STRENGTH IN MY LEGS WHICH IS A DIRECT RESULT OF MY CERVICAL STENOSIS FROM THE RUPTURED DISC!
WITH CORRELATION OF MY SYMPTOMS AND THE MRI WE HAD A DEFINATE DIAGNOSIS, C6-7 HAD TO GO! DR ZEEGERS WAS SO THOROUGH IN EXPLAINING ALL THE POSSIBILITIES TO ME AND HE IS NOT IN ANY WAY AN ADR SALESMAN LIKE SO MANY THAT I HAVE MET IN AUSTRALIA. IF DR Z THINKS THAT THE SURGERY WILL NOT BENEFIT YOU HE WILL NOT DO IT, HE DOES NOT BELIEVE IN ADR FOR THE SAKE OF ADR NO MATTER HOW MUCH THE COMPANIES FLOG THERE STUFF!!! THE CERVICAL SURGERY WENT OFF WITHOUT A HITCH AND I AM NOW THE PROUD OWNER OF A MOBI-C!

THE DAY BEFORE MY C-SPINE SURGERY I WAS UNABLE TO BALANCE, WALK IN A STRAIGHT LINE, STAND ON MY TOES OR HEELS, AND HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY LIFTING MY LEGS OFF THE TABLE WHEN LYING DOWN IN DR BAUMBACHS EXAM ROOM. I HAD A ROLLING GAIT AND NO STRENGTH IN MY LEGS/ARMS/FINGERS.....12 HOURS POST OP DR B CAME TO SEEE ME AND I PROUDLY JUMPED OUT OF BED TO SHOW THE DRS HOW I COULD TIPTOE ACCROSS THE ROOM SPIN AROUND ON MY HEELS, BALANCE ON ONE FOOT AND WALK IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT LOOKING LIKE A PENGUIN!!!! IN MY NEURO TEST WITH DR B I HAD REGAINED ARM STRENGTH AND A LOT MORE LEG STRENGTH!

I KNOW HAVE A FUTURE!i have 4 children aged 4-14 and they have had a mum that has been on a lounge moaning in pain for nearly 4 years NOW I CAN FINALLY BE THE MUM THEY SO RICHLY DESERVE!!!!

I CANNOT THANK THE ALPHAKLINIK STAFF ENOUGH THEY GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS WITH YOU. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A REALLY TOUGH TIME HAVING 3 OPERATIONS AND MULTIPLE PROCEDURES IN QUICK SUCCESSION, THE SUPPORT FROM DR BAUMBACH (MY GERMAN ANGEL) AND DR ZEEGERS (THE MAGICIAN) WAS OVERWHELMING.
I HAVE TO SAY A BIG THANKS TO MARK M TOO! MARK GAVE ME A LOT OF SUPPORT IN MUNICH AND EVEN GOT ME OUT OF THE KLINIK FOR A LOVELY DINNER. MARK YOUR'E A LEGEND!!
TO MAKE A LONG-WINDED STORY SHORT, ALL OF YOU SPINEYS OUT THERE, DON'T GIVE UP! DON'T SETTLE WITH BEING TOLD TO PUT UP AND SHUT UP!YOU HAVE ONE GO AT LIFE, FIGHT FOR IT!if i had listened to the oz drs i would be still enduring the hell that was my life and my future BUT NOW I ACTUALLY HAVE A FUTURE TO LOOK FORWARD TO!!!

IF YOU HAVE BACK, LEG OR ARM PAIN THAT IS SUFFOCATING YOUR LIFE GO TO THE ALPHAKLINIK!!! (NO THIS IS NOT A PAID ADVERT!!!0 I HAD TO SPEND THE MONEY THAT WAS MEANT TO BUILD A HOUSE FOR MY FAMILY BUT HEY WE CAN RENT. WHAT GOOD ARE MATERIAL THINGS IF YOU ARE IN SO MUCH PAIN THAT YOU CAN'T EXPERIENCE LIFE AT ALL?

anyway sorry to chew your ears off!!!!!!

ANYONE THAT WANTS TO ASK ME ANYTHING ABOUT MY EXPERIENCE OR THE ALPHAKLINIK PLEASE DO JUST THAT. E-MAIL ME I AM ON A MISSION TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES TO LIVING A LIFE OF CHRONIC PAIN AND OPTING OUT ISN'T ONE OF THEM!!!

THANKS TO ALL THAT HAVE POSTED AND WISHED ME LUCK.
THANKS AGAIN MARK, I HOPE YOUR WIFE IS DOING OK AND THAT GREG IS IMPROVING.

LOTS OF LOVE
LORNA FROM OZ!!

[Maria]

Hey Lorna,
So glad you got back to write the rest of that sentence and then some!
Great post, very uplifting and very incredible to hear your story~
The doctors involved sound paramount to none that I've encountered (to date)~
Ok, would say more tho should be in bed lying with legs propped up on 5-6 pillows as tailbone/low back is killing me trying to sit here any longer!
BTW, have had 2 CSF leaks post myelogram requiring 7 days flat in bed in hospital with catheter in place, not raising my head at all, totally darkened room and all that ~ both my Neurosurgeons wouldn't do a blood patch on me even tho I asked them to... (back in '89 and '92). They preferred I just wait it out. The h/a's felt like a zillion pounds crushing my brain~

So glad ALL of that is over for you and You are now home, happy, and healthy!! take good care, please keep us updated! Maria

[dshobbies]

Lorna,

What a whirlwind of success. The saying 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again' was meant for learning, not for treating, yet too many doctors still live by that rule, doing the same thing over and over again.

Your Angel and Magician live by the creed, if at first you don't succeed, find out why and try something else, the difference between a life of pain and disappointment and a life of joy and fullfillment. How wonderful to know that such doctors exist (as does Dr. B).

Don't worry about talking our ears (or eyes) off. Your post was as absolute pleasure to read.

All my best for a continued great recovery. Just don't rush it because you're feeling better. But I bet you know that creed too!

Dale

[mmglobal]

Lorna... it's great to hear that you are still rocking and rolling. I can't wait to catch up and hear about your homecoming! Your family must be amazed at the different person that returned home.

I'll be sending you all the pictures I took soon. Greg is home... I'll try to get him to post here. He overdid a bit while still in Germany and set himself back a bit, but I think he's OK.

You take care... we'll talk soon. All the best,

Mark

PS... I hope you don't mind a few more pics....

This is at 1 day post-op from cervical surgery.... not possible for Lorna to stand on one foot just 24 hours prior...



2-days post-op. The amazing thing is that we walked to the clinic from the plaza for dinner... about 1/2 mile. Lorna had the most bizarre gait prior to her cervical surgery and had to look down and watch her foot placement or she'd stumble. I'm sooooo much taller than her, so as we walked and talked... she walked like a normal person, but looking up at me instead of down at her feet! Aunt Esther made multiple trips from the UK to provide support for Lorna and Robert.



My favorite part of the trip... a hug and a smile from Lorna. You can see she still has the drain... this is maybe 10 hours post-op... she already knows that her balance is back... her coordination is back... many neuropathies are gone or much improved... Lorna is an amazing person who is capable of beaming even when things are horrible. But at a time like this... her bright smile is one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen!


One more.... Lorna had an 8 week ordeal. Through the entire process, her father Robert was with her... every step of the way he was there.... here they are the day before they leave... tired and happy. However tough this was for everyone... how could it be better?

[dshobbies]

Mark,

Did you shave off your beard and mustache?

[marijo]

That is so inspiring. I'm delighted you are back on your feet, and I'll bet your children are as well. Dont overdo it though, just go gently for a while.
I sincerely hope your progress continues.
Mary.

[Alastair]

For spine problems, the alphaklinic is the best place in the world, and I was there in 2002 for my surgery just before Mark. There is no doubt about it that Dr Zeegers is the world guru when it comes to spine disc replacement.
Best,
Alastair

[fortitudine]

What an amazing story, Lorna. It is wonderful you hear that you have your life back now and hopefully for a good long time. You certainly went through a lot to get where you are now. Thanks for sharing your story, it's a real inspiration.

[mmglobal]

Lorna continues to do great... story page on GPN is up.

I love the story at the bottom of the page, when Lorna went to the 'Chemist' that she'd seen for years.

http://www.globalpatientnetwork.com/stories/0705-Lorna/

Enjoy,

Mark

[JeffreyD]

Lorna's story is fantastic.
It is always a cause for rejoicing when someone gets the rare chance to live with less pain after going through so much for so long.
I know what it's like to go to the doctor's offices and see that familiar look in the eye that says "this guy is a hopeless case, I wish he would go away"....I get that a lot these days.
It's so awesome to read about Lorna's successful outcome and her sharing of experiences on this side of healing.

God Bless,
Jeff