I'M BACK!

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/07/2006 02:15:22 GMT Daylight Time,

dreimutter1957@... writes:

Thought I would check in with you guys and let you all know that the

hip replacement surgery went well.

Hi Wanda,

That is great to hear. I hope you really feel the benefit soon.

Good luck,

Oh, Just read on and it looks like things are going well with regard to the

hip. It is good to hear you are already back at work.

Sorry to read that your eyes are giving you so many problems. Nothing is ever

easy is it?

Here's hoping your youngest son's pains are just from all the athletic stuff

he is involved in. Good pain as I used to call it! lol

Are you still having the problem with your cheeks flushing or has it calmed

down again? I hope so.

Take care,

[Guest guest]

hooray!! So glad to hear its over . Best of luck to you with your recovery!!

cathy from ma

[Guest guest]

Great news Wanda...

Love and Peace Always

Shaun and Barb

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb,

Congratulations on your move and your new job! That is saying

something, you managed to move across the country and be in a " good

period " . To some extent, just learning how to arrange your life so

that the pain doesn't " flare " is a good thing...even if you

subsequently end up having surgery...there is always the requirement

to look at physical activity through the " prism " of " is this a good

move/activity for my back? " ....now coming to 2 years it is almost

routine for me....but it is one of those annoying life changes that

seems to have come on with the secondary round of surgery.

I can't recall hearing of any revision surgeons in the Detroit area,

although may know of an adult scoli-specialist that might be a

good first contact point. Lucky enough....you are living in a very

central place and a cheap and easy flight to all the east coast

doctors mentioned here a lot.

I do hope your " good period " lasts for a long while.

Take Care, Cam

t

>

> Hi, everyone!

>

> I dropped off the planet for the last few months as we moved from

the

> left coast to the great lakes. I got a job in a suburb of Detroit

and

> we moved in July. It's going great! Hubby has a job too.

>

> Surprisingly I did ok in the move and drive out here. I did far

less

> than I have in previous moves, which was hard on me to sit on

myself

> not to do it, and hard on Dave, to pick up some of the slack. I

think

> I've been in a " good " period. A wise friend noticed some years ago

> that I seem to " cycle " with the pain. When it was shifting rapidly

it

> would be a few good weeks, then a few bad, etc. Then last fall I

> entered into about 4 months of bad, when I added my friend, " cool

blue

> cane. " Now I've been in a " good " period for a few months (with bad

> days here and there).

>

> I have a couple questions brewing for y'all:

>

> (1) Who, of the top 10-20 flatback surgeons, is nearest Detroit? I

> know of several in New England,New York, and St. Louis. Anybody

closer

> to me? Just want to get some names for when I get closer to

surgery.

>

> (2) I have had recent developments in my pain that might be the

onset

> of sciatica and I would like to talk to a dr about them. Should I

try

> to see one of the " main " doctors, so I don't have to explain

> flatback? Or can I try to see a regular ortho who specializes in

> backs/joints? I'm concerned that I will get recommendations that

don't

> quite apply to me with my fusion and rod down to L4, my onset of

> flatback, etc. What do you recommend?

>

> Thanks, all!

>

> Deb M.

> Grosse Ile, MI

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Deb...

Geiger in Ypsilanti and Montgomery in Royal Oak both did fellowships in Minnesota, where many of the top revision specialists originally trained and/or worked.

And, Stanley Lee in Ann Arbor did a fellowship in St. Louis.

I’ve never heard from anyone who has had revision surgery with them, so I hope if you go to see any of them, you’ll report back on how much revision surgery they do.

Regards,

On 10/6/06 6:32 AM, " cammaltby " <cammaltby@...> wrote:

Hi Deb,

Congratulations on your move and your new job! That is saying

something, you managed to move across the country and be in a " good

period " . To some extent, just learning how to arrange your life so

that the pain doesn't " flare " is a good thing...even if you

subsequently end up having surgery...there is always the requirement

to look at physical activity through the " prism " of " is this a good

move/activity for my back? " ....now coming to 2 years it is almost

routine for me....but it is one of those annoying life changes that

seems to have come on with the secondary round of surgery.

I can't recall hearing of any revision surgeons in the Detroit area,

although may know of an adult scoli-specialist that might be a

good first contact point. Lucky enough....you are living in a very

central place and a cheap and easy flight to all the east coast

doctors mentioned here a lot.

I do hope your " good period " lasts for a long while.

Take Care, Cam

t

>

> Hi, everyone!

>

> I dropped off the planet for the last few months as we moved from

the

> left coast to the great lakes. I got a job in a suburb of Detroit

and

> we moved in July. It's going great! Hubby has a job too.

>

> Surprisingly I did ok in the move and drive out here. I did far

less

> than I have in previous moves, which was hard on me to sit on

myself

> not to do it, and hard on Dave, to pick up some of the slack. I

think

> I've been in a " good " period. A wise friend noticed some years ago

> that I seem to " cycle " with the pain. When it was shifting rapidly

it

> would be a few good weeks, then a few bad, etc. Then last fall I

> entered into about 4 months of bad, when I added my friend, " cool

blue

> cane. " Now I've been in a " good " period for a few months (with bad

> days here and there).

>

> I have a couple questions brewing for y'all:

>

> (1) Who, of the top 10-20 flatback surgeons, is nearest Detroit? I

> know of several in New England,New York, and St. Louis. Anybody

closer

> to me? Just want to get some names for when I get closer to

surgery.

>

> (2) I have had recent developments in my pain that might be the

onset

> of sciatica and I would like to talk to a dr about them. Should I

try

> to see one of the " main " doctors, so I don't have to explain

> flatback? Or can I try to see a regular ortho who specializes in

> backs/joints? I'm concerned that I will get recommendations that

don't

> quite apply to me with my fusion and rod down to L4, my onset of

> flatback, etc. What do you recommend?

>

> Thanks, all!

>

> Deb M.

> Grosse Ile, MI

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Nan, Welcome back! I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip! I've never

snorkeled, but I'm

sure it is an awesome experience. I had a great 7 week check-up with Dr.

Bridwell...I'll go

back on August 18th for my 4 month check. I am so thrilled about how good I

feel. I

believe that I would have talked with the father, as you did. I feel like we

are sometimes

put in places where we are supposed to speak up and share with others. I had

that

experience with a lady at a pet store where I was buying dog food. This was

about a week

before my revision with Dr. Bridwell, and somehow we got on the subject of her

husband

who had been in a horrible car accident and had many surgeries. She said that

he is very

bent over over several years. I told her I was having surgery with a wonderul

surgeon who

was very gifted and gave her his phone number and name. I just felt that I was

in that

place and time to give her that information. I had been in that store at least

30 times

before and many times after my surgery and haven't ever seen her again...before

or after.

I am always glad to share with someone about the surgery. If they don't want to

listen,

then they can tell us, but what a gift it is if they don't know that anything

can be done. If I

hadn't gone to a specific ortho. doctor about one of my hips... and he saw my

lower back

on x-ray...knew Dr. Bridwell and got me in to see him...I would never be in this

incredible

healing process with virtually no pain!!

Nan, I'm very proud of you...it takes a certain amount of courage to approach

others, not

knowing their stories, but I think it's always worth the try. I'm still hoping

we can meet at

some time while visiting Dr. B.

Chrisitine

>

> Hi all,

>

> We got back late last night after not getting off the ship until 11am

> Sat. morning. We had a great time, as did our daughter, and met some

> wonderful people both on & off the ship. We snorkeled for the first

> time in St. & I can't believe I did it. It is purely

> psychological with me, but I did it. I don't think I could ever do

> the scuba thing like Edie, but I bet that it is even more wonderful.

>

> On a more serious note, there was a young man on the ship who was so

> bent over & my heart went out to him. My daughter kept telling me

> that I should mention my ordeal to his dad, in case he never had

> surgery, but I was afraid that it was not my place. I did gather

> enough courage on the last day when I caught Dad alone. He did tell

> me that he had Harrington rod surgery 6 yrs ago at Shands Hospital in

> Gainesville Fla., but the doctor could do nothing more. I gave him

> Dr. Bridwell's name along with Dr. Boachie and Dr. Rand. He was

> going to call and get some info on them. I get the impression that

> he may not be very computer savvy, but he has my number & he promised

> to keep me updated. What would you all do? Do you think you would

> have spoke up or would you have kept your thoughts to yourself? I

> think being on the ship day after day with people makes you feel like

> you are a little closer to them as opposed to just seeing someone on

> the street one time.

>

> Anyway, let me know if you feel like it. I would be interested to

> know how everyone else feels.

>

> Thanks,

> Nan

>

[Guest guest]

I was stumbling at getting the right words out - and then saw 's post - and I echo everything you said . Nan, I commend you and hope some day to be able to help someone like that. I can't think of a sweeter reward. G

[ ] Re: I'm Back!

Hi Nan, Welcome back! I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip! I've never snorkeled, but I'm sure it is an awesome experience. I had a great 7 week check-up with Dr. Bridwell...I'll go back on August 18th for my 4 month check. I am so thrilled about how good I feel. I believe that I would have talked with the father, as you did. I feel like we are sometimes put in places where we are supposed to speak up and share with others. I had that experience with a lady at a pet store where I was buying dog food. This was about a week before my revision with Dr. Bridwell, and somehow we got on the subject of her husband who had been in a horrible car accident and had many surgeries. She said that he is very bent over over several years. I told her I was having surgery with a wonderul surgeon who was very gifted and gave her his phone number and name. I just felt that I was in that place and time to give her that information. I had been in that store at least 30 times before and many times after my surgery and haven't ever seen her again...before or after. I am always glad to share with someone about the surgery. If they don't want to listen, then they can tell us, but what a gift it is if they don't know that anything can be done. If I hadn't gone to a specific ortho. doctor about one of my hips... and he saw my lower back on x-ray...knew Dr. Bridwell and got me in to see him...I would never be in this incredible healing process with virtually no pain!! Nan, I'm very proud of you...it takes a certain amount of courage to approach others, not knowing their stories, but I think it's always worth the try. I'm still hoping we can meet at some time while visiting Dr. B.Chrisitine>> Hi all,> > We got back late last night after not getting off the ship until 11am > Sat. morning. We had a great time, as did our daughter, and met some > wonderful people both on & off the ship. We snorkeled for the first > time in St. & I can't believe I did it. It is purely > psychological with me, but I did it. I don't think I could ever do > the scuba thing like Edie, but I bet that it is even more wonderful.> > On a more serious note, there was a young man on the ship who was so > bent over & my heart went out to him. My daughter kept telling me > that I should mention my ordeal to his dad, in case he never had > surgery, but I was afraid that it was not my place. I did gather > enough courage on the last day when I caught Dad alone. He did tell > me that he had Harrington rod surgery 6 yrs ago at Shands Hospital in > Gainesville Fla., but the doctor could do nothing more. I gave him > Dr. Bridwell's name along with Dr. Boachie and Dr. Rand. He was > going to call and get some info on them. I get the impression that > he may not be very computer savvy, but he has my number & he promised > to keep me updated. What would you all do? Do you think you would > have spoke up or would you have kept your thoughts to yourself? I > think being on the ship day after day with people makes you feel like > you are a little closer to them as opposed to just seeing someone on > the street one time.> > Anyway, let me know if you feel like it. I would be interested to > know how everyone else feels.> > Thanks,> Nan>

[Guest guest]

Nan,

Wow, sounds like you had a lovely trip. I am so glad that you got to

have the extra fun snorkeling adventure too. It is great to be

swimming around with all the pretty fishies...I think its very

relaxing, and is surely an activity that one can do with a fused

spine.

I also think you did the right thing to approach the family that

seemed like they might benefit from a tiny bit of your experience and

wisdom. I know you well enough to know that you approached the

subject gently and appropriately!

Scoliosis is such an isolating disease. It is not " mainstream " enough

that any parent can really have enough access to resourches and

information that might help their child. I am also sure that they are

often treated in a way where their problems are ignored or people are

reluctant to interact with them or their son (like a deformity is

something you could catch!). I am sure they felt acknowledged and

glad to get to know you.

My bet is that you will hear from them again!

So, welcome home. Hope the post vacation let-down isn't too bad (I

find that its usually in proportion to hopw much laundry needs

doing!).

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Dear Nan,

So glad your vacation went well, family time together is so precious, you all will look back on this vacation as good family times, especially as your daughter goes off to college.

I've been the situation you were in a few times, I spoke up, and I'm so glad you did too, as you are offering your experience and help. Know if they are ready to accept the help, and explore their families options will be their choice, but I have found most people react when it's their child, but when it's themselves, not so much. I'm surprised just how alert I am in noticing scoliosis in kids, especially as besides being a patient myself I also have a child with it. I'm glad I can be of help, maybe getting them diagnosised and to a excellent doc before it progresses too far. I also am known a bit among parents here where we live as someone who has experience with Scoliosis, and I'm glad to help those families when they are first dealing with it and scared, has even happened with family and a couple of friends.

My experience of recognising Flatback in someone else hasn't been as successful. A lady in our ward at church, younger than me, and very busy with a large family, has classic Flatback symptoms. I approached her at a small gathering, and we discussed her surgery as a teen, and mine. I discussed my journey through Flatback, she was so pleased to see how I was doing, but she's just so fearful based on what she went through as a child, and can't imagine going through something so big as her kids are still smaller. I gave her all the info, Dr. Kumar's card, and the rest is up to her, she'll go when she's ready. She deals with some of the pain by going to a chiroprator, although it's not doing the trick anymore, and she sees she will really need to do something, someday. While I'm not a doc, I'd bet she's in Flatback,but as in all things you have to be ready to hear it, but also to act. A friend of hers told me she really saw herself in the info I gave her, just as I did when I went online, so all I can do is be glad she has the info, and knows I'm here, and has the card of a doc who can help her when she's ready.

You did a good thing, and secondly gave that family hope by seeing you, that there still maybe a good outcome out there, hope is a beautiful thing.

Colorado Springs

[ ] I'm Back!

Hi all,We got back late last night after not getting off the ship until 11am Sat. morning. We had a great time, as did our daughter, and met some wonderful people both on & off the ship. We snorkeled for the first time in St. & I can't believe I did it. It is purely psychological with me, but I did it. I don't think I could ever do the scuba thing like Edie, but I bet that it is even more wonderful.On a more serious note, there was a young man on the ship who was so bent over & my heart went out to him. My daughter kept telling me that I should mention my ordeal to his dad, in case he never had surgery, but I was afraid that it was not my place. I did gather enough courage on the last day when I caught Dad alone. He did tell me that he had Harrington rod surgery 6 yrs ago at Shands Hospital in Gainesville Fla., but the doctor could do nothing more. I gave him Dr. Bridwell's name along with Dr. Boachie and Dr. Rand. He was going to call and get some info on them. I get the impression that he may not be very computer savvy, but he has my number & he promised to keep me updated. What would you all do? Do you think you would have spoke up or would you have kept your thoughts to yourself? I think being on the ship day after day with people makes you feel like you are a little closer to them as opposed to just seeing someone on the street one time.Anyway, let me know if you feel like it. I would be interested to know how everyone else feels.Thanks,Nan

[Guest guest]

I went out to lunch with some coworkers a couple of weeks ago and a

lady working at the restaurant was very bent over with flatback. I

waited until my coworkers had gone out to the parking lot, and then I

spoke with her and showed her my before and after xrays.

>

> Hi all,

>

> We got back late last night after not getting off the ship until

11am

> Sat. morning. We had a great time, as did our daughter, and met

some

> wonderful people both on & off the ship. We snorkeled for the

first

> time in St. & I can't believe I did it. It is purely

> psychological with me, but I did it. I don't think I could ever do

> the scuba thing like Edie, but I bet that it is even more wonderful.

>

> On a more serious note, there was a young man on the ship who was

so

> bent over & my heart went out to him. My daughter kept telling me

> that I should mention my ordeal to his dad, in case he never had

> surgery, but I was afraid that it was not my place. I did gather

> enough courage on the last day when I caught Dad alone. He did

tell

> me that he had Harrington rod surgery 6 yrs ago at Shands Hospital

in

> Gainesville Fla., but the doctor could do nothing more. I gave him

> Dr. Bridwell's name along with Dr. Boachie and Dr. Rand. He was

> going to call and get some info on them. I get the impression that

> he may not be very computer savvy, but he has my number & he

promised

> to keep me updated. What would you all do? Do you think you would

> have spoke up or would you have kept your thoughts to yourself? I

> think being on the ship day after day with people makes you feel

like

> you are a little closer to them as opposed to just seeing someone

on

> the street one time.

>

> Anyway, let me know if you feel like it. I would be interested to

> know how everyone else feels.

>

> Thanks,

> Nan

>

[Guest guest]

Hello, everyone, I had a problem with my mail ISP, I wasn't able to get any mails, some sort of an over quota, though I checked and it was not, so I had to call the tech guys, who fixed the problem. So now am back... and will try my best to catch up.