Elaine

September 3, 2005

Congratulations, Elaine, on your hook-up! It sounds like you are " going by

the book " and right on course. Give it a bit of time and practice and you will

soon be even more delighted! Good luck!

) Jackie

February 9, 2006

Elaine,

I have high blood pressure (mild) and high cholesterol (207-down from 280).

I had the anterior & posterior surgery in November. Am doing very well now.

In my head I'm still 20 but my body keeps reminding me that I'm really 50.

Best wishes,

Joyce T, RN Atlanta

April 14, 2006

Elaine, you had mentioned that n from the Ontario chapter only gave you one name.She had offered other names beside Dr. Ford, but you didn't seem to want any at the time. She does try to offer, at least, 3 names to those that ask. Dr. Ford is now so busy that he is not taking new patients. n is trying to find out about others in his office, though she is having a difficult time with life right now, which is why she prefers phone calls to e-mails. Apparently, you were very lucky to get in to see Dr. Ford for a consultation at the time.

Because of the way the government pays for the health care system, it is very difficult to get into one good revision surgeon, let alone consulting for a second opinion. The surgeons usually do not get paid for giving second opinions, thus they do not usually have the time. This is why, in Canada, it is best to know who the top two surgeons are and try to get into seeing one of them. You have to have the records ready for them and be realistically informed about your condition so you can understand the reasons for the surgeon's recommendations. In other words, you have to be prepared even for the recommendations that you may not really like and ask for options, in that case, along with the consequences.

In talking with my medical consultant for my chapter, these are some of the reasons and expectations that are given. The surgeons do not like to do revision surgery for cosmetic reasons, like removing a hump/rib for appearances. They will do the surgery for pain or other medical reasons. Having said that, some patients they will not operate on for other medical reasons, like a weak heart, lungs or other conditions.

Good luck in trying to see Dr. , I hope you don't have to wait 3 years, like I did in BC.

Llweyn

> - thank you for the name of Dr. J. . I have been>trying to find another revision specialist for sometime now for a>second opinion - I'll try to find him.

April 15, 2006

Llweyn - I don't know where you heard that n offered me

doctor's names (she has never given me any doctor's name) but if she

told you that she must be confusing me with someone else. I have

spoken to her previously (actually it was about my daughter about 5

years ago) but since I have been a patient of Dr. Ford's for at

least 12 years ( way before he moved to Sunnybrook Hospital) and was

quite satisfied, I wasn't looking for another doctor until I got

serious about revision. Only recently did I contact her for another

name since I have been told over and over again by many on this

revision site that it is imperlative to get a second opinion. She

basically said that I should just go with Dr. Ford and not to worry

about a second opinion. That's her theory, not mine. As president

of the Ontario chapter of the Scoliosis Association, I find she has

not been very willing to share information on the two occasions I

have contacted her, which has left me disenchanted.

I have copies of my reports that were sent to my family doctor and

some old x-rays ( that I don't think will be very useful). Until I

get a referral from my doctor to Dr. and find out if the

hospital he works out of is affiliated with Sunnybrook, it won't

help to get my latest xrays as a lot of the Toronto hospitals are

linked and have computerized x-rays that they can pull up from

different sites. If need be I will get them. I feel I am informed

as I can be (thanks to this site) without having had revision

surgery. I have a list of questions and I am prepared for the

answers. I realize that a second opinion is just that, and that I

will most likely go back to Dr. Ford, but I have never heard of a

doctor not getting paid for an examination here in Ontario and I

would feel a lot more confident having a second opinion from another

revision specialist. If I have to wait long I'll cross that bridge

when I get to it. Elaine

>

> Elaine, you had mentioned that n from the Ontario chapter

only gave you

> one name.She had offered other names beside Dr. Ford, but you

didn't seem to

> want any at the time. She does try to offer, at least, 3 names to

those that

> ask. Dr. Ford is now so busy that he is not taking new patients.

n is

> trying to find out about others in his office, though she is

having a

> difficult time with life right now, which is why she prefers phone

calls to

> e-mails. Apparently, you were very lucky to get in to see Dr. Ford

for a

> consultation at the time.

>

> Because of the way the government pays for the health care system,

it is

> very difficult to get into one good revision surgeon, let alone

consulting

> for a second opinion. The surgeons usually do not get paid for

giving second

> opinions, thus they do not usually have the time. This is why, in

Canada, it

> is best to know who the top two surgeons are and try to get into

seeing one

> of them. You have to have the records ready for them and be

realistically

> informed about your condition so you can understand the reasons

for the

> surgeon's recommendations. In other words, you have to be prepared

even for

> the recommendations that you may not really like and ask for

options, in

> that case, along with the consequences.

>

> In talking with my medical consultant for my chapter, these are

some of the

> reasons and expectations that are given. The surgeons do not like

to do

> revision surgery for cosmetic reasons, like removing a hump/rib for

> appearances. They will do the surgery for pain or other medical

reasons.

> Having said that, some patients they will not operate on for other

medical

> reasons, like a weak heart, lungs or other conditions.

>

> Good luck in trying to see Dr. , I hope you don't have to

wait 3 years,

> like I did in BC.

>

> Llweyn

> > - thank you for the name of Dr. J. . I have

been

> >trying to find another revision specialist for sometime now for

a

> >second opinion - I'll try to find him.

>

July 30, 2007

Elaine,

I think of you and pray for you everyday. You have always been so kind to us

all and I remember talking with you on the phone. Please know that we all

think of you and hope you recover in a manner that will help you maintain

independence.

Love,

denise

October 19, 2007

Hi Elaine, I want to wish you the best on your upcoming surgery. You will be in my thoughts. Take care, Sheila <vclark@...> wrote: Hi Elaine,I am wishing you the best outcome on your surgery. We arepraying for you and you are in our thoughts. Your definitelynot alone... Take Care - __________________________________________________

October 19, 2007

Elaine, I will keep you in my prayers,and remeber.... The life I have become Accustomed to will be no more But a better quality of life Will follow............ Eventaully. Sheila McJunkin <sheilamcjunkin@...> wrote: Hi Elaine, I want to wish you the best on your upcoming surgery. You will be in my thoughts. Take care, Sheila

<vclarksoftech> wrote: Hi Elaine,I am wishing you the best outcome on your surgery. We arepraying for you and you are in our thoughts. Your definitelynot alone... Take Care - __________________________________________________

October 19, 2007

Hi =

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I'm a firm believer in prayer

and it sure feels good to know that others who have gone this route

before me are thinking about me. By the way, we have a newscaster on

Channel 7, ABC in Detroit, Mi. named Val - I think of you when I

watch the news and hear her name! Thanks again - Elaine

>

> Hi Elaine,

> I am wishing you the best outcome on your surgery. We are

> praying for you and you are in our thoughts. Your definitely

> not alone... Take Care -

>

October 19, 2007

Elaine,

I live in Detroit also...may I ask where you had your surgery and who did it?

Patty

[ ] Re: Elaine

Hi =Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I'm a firm believer in prayer and it sure feels good to know that others who have gone this route before me are thinking about me. By the way, we have a newscaster on Channel 7, ABC in Detroit, Mi. named Val - I think of you when I watch the news and hear her name! Thanks again - Elaine>> Hi Elaine,> I am wishing you the best outcome on your surgery. We are> praying for you and you are in our thoughts. Your definitely> not alone... Take Care ->

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.15.1/1079 - Release Date: 10/19/07 5:10 AM

October 20, 2007

Thanks Sheila and it's great to hear that you are doing well.

I just think that it's such a blessing to have all these people who

are willing to share their knowledge and experiences concerning

flatback; and to think of others in the same condition. Elaine

> Hi Elaine,

> I am wishing you the best outcome on your surgery. We are

> praying for you and you are in our thoughts. Your definitely

> not alone... Take Care -

>

> __________________________________________________

>

October 20, 2007

Hi -

Thanks in advance for your prayers and your little poem at the end

of your e-mails. I've noticed it before and I'm sure it is true.

Hope you are feeling better everyday that goes by. Elaine

> Hi Elaine,

> I am wishing you the best outcome on your surgery. We are

> praying for you and you are in our thoughts. Your definitely

> not alone... Take Care -

>

> __________________________________________________

>

October 20, 2007

Hi Patty -

I'm across the border, just outside of Windsor. My surgery is

coming up on Monday, October 22 in Toronto, Ontario; my surgeon is

Dr. Ford.

I have read posts on this site of some good surgeons for flatback

in the Detroit vicinity. Are you suffering from flatback and in need

of revision surgery? If you use the search feature on this site you

may be able to come up with those surgeons names. Try searching for

doctors in Michigan. Maybe some of the others will post and give you

the info you want also. Best of luck, Elaine

-- In , " Pat Burgess "

<patricialynn@...> wrote:

>

> Elaine,

> I live in Detroit also...may I ask where you had your surgery and

who did it?

> Patty

> [ ] Re: Elaine

>

> Hi =

>

> Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I'm a firm believer in

prayer

> and it sure feels good to know that others who have gone this

route

> before me are thinking about me. By the way, we have a newscaster

on

> Channel 7, ABC in Detroit, Mi. named Val - I think of you

when I

> watch the news and hear her name! Thanks again - Elaine

>

> >

> > Hi Elaine,

> > I am wishing you the best outcome on your surgery. We are

> > praying for you and you are in our thoughts. Your definitely

> > not alone... Take Care -

> >

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.15.1/1079 - Release Date:

10/19/07 5:10 AM

>

October 20, 2007

Thank you ElaineElaine Wilkinson <ebwilkie@...> wrote: Hi -Thanks in advance for your prayers and your little poem at the end of your e-mails. I've noticed it before and I'm sure it is true. Hope you are feeling better everyday that goes by. Elaine> Hi Elaine,> I am wishing you the best outcome on your surgery. We are> praying for you and you are in our thoughts. Your definitely> not alone... Take Care -> > > > > __________________________________________________>

October 20, 2007

Hi Elaine,

I didn't realize that you are having your surgery on Monday. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

I sure would like to learn more about the surgeons in the Detroit area. I am just 15 minutes south of Detroit, in Wyandotte.

I had surgery in 1968 at Children's Hospital and again in 1998 at Beaumon Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. I now have flatback and broken rods, loose screws and "displaced" hardware. I was told that revision surgery would only help at best with the pain and I will never be pain free. But I am leaning more and more and can not stand up much past 7 pm.. I have to lay down a few times a day just to make it till then. I am 55 years old. My husband died suddenly 13 years ago and my kids have married and moved out, so I don't really have a good support system. I hate to impose on the kids those first few weeks after surgery.. They would be upset with me if they knew I felt that way. I guess I'm just not ready for it yet, but I do have to research it because I know its coming. My aorta is "twisted" and my lung capacity is dimished somewhat. I am fused from T5-S1.

Thank you for the tips on researching doctors here.

I will be thinking of you and wishing you well..

Patty

[ ] Re: Elaine> > > Hi => > Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I'm a firm believer in prayer > and it sure feels good to know that others who have gone this route > before me are thinking about me. By the way, we have a newscaster on > Channel 7, ABC in Detroit, Mi. named Val - I think of you when I > watch the news and hear her name! Thanks again - Elaine> > > >> > Hi Elaine,> > I am wishing you the best outcome on your surgery. We are> > praying for you and you are in our thoughts. Your definitely> > not alone... Take Care -> >> > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.15.1/1079 - Release Date: 10/19/07 5:10 AM>

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.15.3/1081 - Release Date: 10/19/07 5:41 PM

October 20, 2007

Patty,

Hi! Some members here have ended up traveling quite a ways to find

a competent surgeon that they feel comfortable with for doing their

revision surgery. If you don't have any luck in Michigan (though I

do know that I've heard a few names of surgeons up there, I just

don't recall their names), I had revision surgery this summer at

Northwestern University in Chicago. There are two very competent

surgeons there - Ondra and Tyler Koski - and they also have

a genuine and compassionate bedside manner. If you're looking for

another consultation on your flatback situation, and you're able to

travel to Chicago, I would recommend hearing either one of their

opinions. If you go thru the right channels, you can often get an

appointment with one of them within a week or two (rather than 3-6

months for many other specialists), because they set aside one day a

week dedicated only to seeing complex spinal deformity patients.

Good luck with finding the answers you need! This group is very

friendly and informative.

>

> Hi Elaine,

> I didn't realize that you are having your surgery on Monday. You

will be in my thoughts and prayers.

> I sure would like to learn more about the surgeons in the Detroit

area. I am just 15 minutes south of Detroit, in Wyandotte.

> I had surgery in 1968 at Children's Hospital and again in 1998 at

Beaumon Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan. I now have flatback

and broken rods, loose screws and " displaced " hardware. I was told

that revision surgery would only help at best with the pain and I

will never be pain free. But I am leaning more and more and can not

stand up much past 7 pm.. I have to lay down a few times a day just

to make it till then. I am 55 years old. My husband died suddenly

13 years ago and my kids have married and moved out, so I don't

really have a good support system. I hate to impose on the kids

those first few weeks after surgery.. They would be upset with me

if they knew I felt that way. I guess I'm just not ready for it

yet, but I do have to research it because I know its coming. My

aorta is " twisted " and my lung capacity is dimished somewhat. I am

fused from T5-S1.

> Thank you for the tips on researching doctors here.

> I will be thinking of you and wishing you well..

> Patty

October 21, 2007

Hi Elaine

Just wanted to wish you well with your upcoming surgery. I'll look forward to hearing from you post op.

I have my first appt. with Dr. at Toronto Western on the 29th, but I may try to get an appt. with Dr. Ford for a second opinion.

Take care.

[ ] Re: Elaine

Hi -Thanks in advance for your prayers and your little poem at the end of your e-mails. I've noticed it before and I'm sure it is true. Hope you are feeling better everyday that goes by. Elaine> Hi Elaine,> I am wishing you the best outcome on your surgery. We are> praying for you and you are in our thoughts. Your definitely> not alone... Take Care -> > > > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ __>

October 21, 2007

Hi Patty-

I did some research and did come up with the name of Dr. Stanley

Lee at the U of M Orthopedics. Apparently he has trained with Dr.

Bridwell in St. Louis, I think, who is well-known for revision on

this site. Like said, if you can travel to Chicago there are

many who have had successsful surgery there. You have to do what is

best for you, but keep in mind that we need a surgeon experienced in

correcting our serious problems. You sound like your reaching the

point of having to do something soon - just like myself. Don't worry

about bothering your kids, they will come through for you, like you

have for them. I'm 58 and a few of us are in our 50's and 60's. I

decided that I want to live the rest of my life in as good a shape as

possible. I often shop in Wyandotte, maybe we can meet sometime.

Hope this is of some help and thanks for your prayers - I can use

every one of them! Elaine