Re: Re: Deciding on surgery

[Guest guest]

June, Since you are traveling down to Md you might consider a 2nd opinion from Dr. Kebaish at s Hopkins. He specializes in revision surgery. He was recommended by my longtime neurosurgeon Dr. Donlin Long, who was chief of neurosurgery at Hopkins for many years, and Randy , a top notch orthopedic surgeon who now heads up the spine center at Baltimore Washington Hosp. They both sing Dr. Kebaish’s praises for doing comples revision surgeries. There are not many docs trained to do this type of surgery. It might be worthwhile to hear what another expert in the area would say. I’m having surgery with Dr. Kebaish later this month and understand completely how hard it can be to make a decision for surgery when you’ve had problems with surgery in the past. Though it sounds like you badly need someone’s help.

I’ve had many MRIs but all of them lying down. I didn’t know you could have one seated. I wish you the best of luck with all of this! Kate

From: june08816@...

Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 5:01 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: Deciding on surgery

Surgery is such a big decision for me too!

I've been sometimes a contributor and most times a "lurker" on this list and I can tell you that you will always receive up to the minute info from the members!

I have scripts for a CT scan and MRI for entire spine from Dr. Ludwig of Univ of MD Spine Ctr. I went to see him for my thoracic kyphosis. The kyphosis is a direct result of my third spine surgery which removed harringtons that had broken and replaced by "segmental" rods with pins. I had had radiation treatments in my mid back in 1981 so my case is not "usual" However, my pain levels have increased and some of the rods are poking out of my mid back due to the severe curve. I'm not able to sit, stand or walk for more than a few minutes and forget about sleeping in a bed....I sleep in a recliner!

My NYC surgeon doesn't want to operate on my again but Dr. Ludwig seems to think that I can stand straight again.

The decision to have another surgery ,especially far from home (I'm in NJ), is a hard one. I've decided to go thru with all the testing and make a final decision later when I have more information.

I suggest that you too continue to get info....when everything falls in place you'll make the right decision!

Not sure if this makes any sense after reading it again so please bear with me while I take this route!

Also.....has anyone had a problem with having an MRI?....they say that its 30 minutes for each spine section and I can do a "sitting" MRI I think.

June-NJ

[Guest guest]

That's interesting about having a seated MRI- what labs will do this? I also live in NJ. I hate having MRI's done. I need to have them done for my neck yearly andI always have anxiety doing them. If I was able to situp that would be much better.thanksericaFrom: Kate Carroll <katecarr@...> Sent: Thu, May 5, 2011 11:02:58 PMSubject: Re: [ ] Re: Deciding on surgery

June, Since you are traveling down to Md you might consider a 2nd opinion from Dr. Kebaish at s Hopkins. He specializes in revision surgery. He was recommended by my longtime neurosurgeon Dr. Donlin Long, who was chief of neurosurgery at Hopkins for many years, and Randy , a top notch orthopedic surgeon who now heads up the spine center at Baltimore Washington Hosp. They both sing Dr. Kebaish’s praises for doing comples revision surgeries. There are not many docs trained to do this type of surgery. It might be worthwhile to hear what another expert in the area would say. I’m having surgery with Dr. Kebaish later this month and understand completely how hard it can be to make a decision for surgery when you’ve had problems with surgery in the past. Though it sounds like you badly need someone’s help.

I’ve had many MRIs but all of them lying down. I didn’t know you could have one seated. I wish you the best of luck with all of this! Kate

From: june08816@...

Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 5:01 PM

Subject: [ ] Re: Deciding on surgery

Surgery is such a big decision for me too!

I've been sometimes a contributor and most times a "lurker" on this list and I can tell you that you will always receive up to the minute info from the members!

I have scripts for a CT scan and MRI for entire spine from Dr. Ludwig of Univ of MD Spine Ctr. I went to see him for my thoracic kyphosis. The kyphosis is a direct result of my third spine surgery which removed harringtons that had broken and replaced by "segmental" rods with pins. I had had radiation treatments in my mid back in 1981 so my case is not "usual" However, my pain levels have increased and some of the rods are poking out of my mid back due to the severe curve. I'm not able to sit, stand or walk for more than a few minutes and forget about sleeping in a bed....I sleep in a recliner!

My NYC surgeon doesn't want to operate on my again but Dr. Ludwig seems to think that I can stand straight again.

The decision to have another surgery ,especially far from home (I'm in NJ), is a hard one. I've decided to go thru with all the testing and make a final decision later when I have more information.

I suggest that you too continue to get info....when everything falls in place you'll make the right decision!

Not sure if this makes any sense after reading it again so please bear with me while I take this route!

Also.....has anyone had a problem with having an MRI?....they say that its 30 minutes for each spine section and I can do a "sitting" MRI I think.

June-NJ