Guest guest Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 Hi le, Congrats on your baby boy! I want to let you know that I took my infant (born BCF) to Dr. Colburn in Walnut Creek / Pleasanton. Dr. C is amazing, very kind and patient, and has treats hundreds of kids. Although he is Kaiser (HMO) I believe that he also sees patients who are non-Kaiser members. If anything email him and ask him about the insurance you have, he (or his assistant) will respond right away. At least, have him look at your son's feet and get a certified Ponseti drs. opinion. (email me directly for his email address) I'm almost positive that there are other programs to help you out and other folks here can help you with that. But I, at least, wanted to let you know that there is someone close to your geographical area, for a third opinion. Hope that helps! Janice and Ethan 6 weeks/BCF/Colburn/Healing Cast > > Hi everyone, > My name is le. My son has bilateral clubfoot.Luke is 5 months > old now. We have seen two diferent doctors here in Redding and > Sacramento California. Both doctors want to do posterior release on his > heel. I have been advised to see Ponseti in Iowa. We are making an > appiontment to go see Dr Ponseti. I have a problem though. We have > health coverage called California Children Services. I just found out > they will not cover us in Iowa. Does anyone Know of a program that > would help us? Thank you le > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 le, Welcome to the group! My family is also in Northern CA, in the Eureka/Arcata area over on the coast. I'm sorry to hear you are having a hard time finding good, non-surgical treatment for your little fellow. 5 months seems very early to me to be considering a major surgical intervention like the posterior release. While I wouldn't want to discourage you from seeking treatment in Iowa, I do want to let you know about a few very good doctors who are much closer to you. Some of the doctors--unfortunately not all of them--at the Shriner's hospital in Sacramento have been using the Ponseti method for a few years now with very good results. I'm assuming Luke is being treated there, though I know of other physicians who treat clubfoot in Sacramento. They might give you some grief about switching doctors, but if you are clear to them about why you want to switch, it will happen. Dr Lerman and Dr Boakes are the 2 with the most Ponseti experience. Dr Lerman has been to Iowa for training several times and is on Dr Ponseti's list of qualified physicians. Either doctor should be available to speak with you over the phone about your concerns and Dr Lerman's email is " jlerman at shrinenet dot org " . My son Jonah, now nearly 3 years old, is treated by Dr Boakes. Another option nearer than IA is Dr Colburn in Walnut Creek. He is a wonderful, kind doctor and one of the most experienced and successful Ponseti method practioners in the world. It would be worth taking a trip to see him simply for another opinion on Luke's feet. While he is part of Kaiser, he will see patients outside of the HMO. You have to work things out with your insurance for payment. Here is his contact information: Colburn, D.P.M. The Permanente Medical Group 7601 Stoneridge Drive Pleasanton, CA 94588-2899 Tel: His email is " michael dot colburn at kp dot org " . I hope this helps some. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask--it's what we are here for. I'd also be more than happy to talk to you over the phone about our experiences as well. Naomi The Family, North Coast of California Naomi Hannah(2/21/1) Jonah(6/20/3, corrected BCF, FAB 12-14/7) danaandfamily wrote: Hi everyone, My name is le. My son has bilateral clubfoot.Luke is 5 months old now. We have seen two diferent doctors here in Redding and Sacramento California. Both doctors want to do posterior release on his heel. I have been advised to see Ponseti in Iowa. We are making an appiontment to go see Dr Ponseti. I have a problem though. We have health coverage called California Children Services. I just found out they will not cover us in Iowa. Does anyone Know of a program that would help us? Thank you le Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 27, 2006 Report Share Posted April 27, 2006 Dear Naomi, I want to thank you so much for writing me back with so much helpful info. My husband and I are already to go see Dr Ponseti. With or with out coverage. Dr Ponseti told my husband he might be able to fix his feet in 2 weeks. I am sure we will need more follow up when we get home. Probably then we will be seeing one of the doctors that is certified around us. We feel that Dr ponseti is the best. At least, that is all we here about. We have been calling him Dr Hollywood these past couple days. He is so popular. Do you believe he talked to us from his home over the phone. I was wondering about your experience with clubfoot? How did things turn out? Is your son still wearing braces or what is he wearing? I sure hope all the best for your family. You are so sweet to give me so much good info. Thank you. Dana Luke's mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Thank you for the support. We are going no matter what. Thanks to this web site, we now know who the best doctor for clubfoot is. Dr Ponseti.... Also we are staying at the Mc house. We will be driving there. Our appointment is already for next week. Thanks for the letter. le Luke's mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Hi le, Going directly to Iowa City is such a good decision I totally support you on!!! We go to Iowa from Oklahoma, and our state-based insurance doesn't cover it either. I think a few people around the US have managed to get it covered though - jsut start making calls and don't take No for an answer. Go all the way to the top? But the visits are not terribly expensive if you pay cash, either. What I'm trying to say is that even out of pocket, it is money WELL spent and you will never regret it no matter how hard it is to afford right now. In Iowa City there is the Mcdonald house to stay in. There is also a program called Angel Flights (and other such groups) that could potentially fly you and Luke to Iowa for free, worth checking in to! Best of luck! Let us know if we can be of any help to yoU! s. Luke Hi everyone, My name is le. My son has bilateral clubfoot.Luke is 5 months old now. We have seen two diferent doctors here in Redding and Sacramento California. Both doctors want to do posterior release on his heel. I have been advised to see Ponseti in Iowa. We are making an appiontment to go see Dr Ponseti. I have a problem though. We have health coverage called California Children Services. I just found out they will not cover us in Iowa. Does anyone Know of a program that would help us? Thank you le Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Hello le, and welcome to the group! I haven't posted in a really long time (my son, Dinos, is about to be six years old and was treated by Dr. Ponseti and Dr. Feldman from birth to 2 1/2 years). Stopped in just now to see how things were and saw your message. We went to see Dr. Ponseti from NY, and our insurance also didn't cover us in Iowa. I believe the hospital and Dr. Ponseti both gave us a special rate because of our lack of insurance coverage and us having to pay " out of pocket, " so you might ask them about that. For travel expenses, there is a file listed in the " files " section of this site that gives some suggestions for flight expenses, and for the " while you are there " expenses you can check into staying at the Mc house, which also has shuttles to the hospital. There are lots of resources for you, but the most important thing is to get Luke to Dr. Ponseti. There's just no substitute for his experience. Good luck! Pamela Karydas > > Hi everyone, > My name is le. My son has bilateral clubfoot.Luke is 5 months > old now. We have seen two diferent doctors here in Redding and > Sacramento California. Both doctors want to do posterior release on his > heel. I have been advised to see Ponseti in Iowa. We are making an > appiontment to go see Dr Ponseti. I have a problem though. We have > health coverage called California Children Services. I just found out > they will not cover us in Iowa. Does anyone Know of a program that > would help us? Thank you le > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Dana and family, I am so thrilled for you that you are going to Iowa to see Dr Ponseti! Even if travel and finances are a hassle, you will not regret going. Luke will have the most beautiful feet you've ever seen before you know it. As you said, you can always do follow-up care with one of the qualified doctors closer to home. Any questions you have along the way, we will be happy to try and answer. You have already been pointed in the direction of the " Files " and " Links " sections, accessible from the group's homepage, where you'll find information about free flights and the Mc House. As for Jonah, he is now wearing the FAB (Foot Abduction Brace, " boots and bar " ) at night and usually an hour or so in the morning. He doesn't mind the FAB one bit and, in fact, won't go to sleep without it on. We plan on having him continue to wear it until his 4th birthday, if not beyond. His feet look terrific--most people wouldn't be able to tell there was ever anything different about them. He walks, he runs, he climbs, he jumps off of furniture, he tiptoes, he hops... Jonah was treated right after he was born by a local orthopedic surgeon who is not a pediatric specialist. After about 4 months of weekly cast changes and doing lots of research, we switched care to the doctors at NorCal Shriners. It meant a whole lot of driving back and forth, but within a few weeks Jonah's feet were perfectly corrected. Please let us know how things go in Iowa. And, as ever, don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have. Naomi The Family, North Coast of California Naomi Hannah(2/21/1) Jonah(6/20/3, corrected BCF, FAB 12-14/7) aschbrenn5@... wrote: Dear Naomi, I want to thank you so much for writing me back with so much helpful info. My husband and I are already to go see Dr Ponseti. With or with out coverage. Dr Ponseti told my husband he might be able to fix his feet in 2 weeks. I am sure we will need more follow up when we get home. Probably then we will be seeing one of the doctors that is certified around us. We feel that Dr ponseti is the best. At least, that is all we here about. We have been calling him Dr Hollywood these past couple days. He is so popular. Do you believe he talked to us from his home over the phone. I was wondering about your experience with clubfoot? How did things turn out? Is your son still wearing braces or what is he wearing? I sure hope all the best for your family. You are so sweet to give me so much good info. Thank you. Dana Luke's mom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 28, 2006 Report Share Posted April 28, 2006 Hi le, Welcome. When I first started researching the Ponseti method, I contacted Dr. Ponseti himself. I also told him that I was considering receiving treatment at the Los Angeles Shriners Hospital. He provided a diagnosis via email and also referred me to Dr. Lerman at Sacramento Shriners. I called Dr. Lerman and he was very nice and knowledgeable and very helpful when I asked a series of questions. Ultimately, I found a doctor closer to me in Los Angeles (originally I'm from Sacramento and would have traveled and stayed with family during treatment). If I hadn't I would have traveled to Dr. Lerman. I'm sure he would be happy to do the follow up treatment for little Luke. Good luck! and -J'nee, bcf, born 01.07.06, FAB 23/7 > > Hi everyone, > My name is le. My son has bilateral clubfoot.Luke is 5 months > old now. We have seen two diferent doctors here in Redding and > Sacramento California. Both doctors want to do posterior release on his > heel. I have been advised to see Ponseti in Iowa. We are making an > appiontment to go see Dr Ponseti. I have a problem though. We have > health coverage called California Children Services. I just found out > they will not cover us in Iowa. Does anyone Know of a program that > would help us? Thank you le > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 le, Take your son to Shriners. Go to www.shrinershq.org. there are two locations in CA. I don't know which one is closer for you but you don't have to pay a penny and the care is top notch. I take my son to one in MA and they are great. Best of luck, > > Hi everyone, > My name is le. My son has bilateral clubfoot.Luke is 5 months > old now. We have seen two diferent doctors here in Redding and > Sacramento California. Both doctors want to do posterior release on his > heel. I have been advised to see Ponseti in Iowa. We are making an > appiontment to go see Dr Ponseti. I have a problem though. We have > health coverage called California Children Services. I just found out > they will not cover us in Iowa. Does anyone Know of a program that > would help us? Thank you le > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Hi le, Chiming in here late but wanted to say how thrilled we are for you that you are going to Iowa, we can't wait to hear what Dr. Ponseti has to say about Luke's feet. Hope all goes smoothly (I have no doubt that it will). Make sure you post before you leave to see if there will be anyone else there at the time, always a good opportunity to meet other families Let us know what Dr. P says as soon as ya can ok! Smiles, & Grace 21mos urcf FAB 13hrs > > Thank you for the support. We are going no matter what. Thanks to this web > site, we now know who the best doctor for clubfoot is. Dr Ponseti.... Also we > are staying at the Mc house. We will be driving there. Our > appointment is already for next week. Thanks for the letter. le Luke's mom. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.