Re: Flatbacker seeking revision Doctor near KCMO

[Guest guest]

Dee, I am 50, single with no family close by and facing revision this year....this group has helped me bit by bit, step by baby step, to be LESS afraid....and that is everything. Pamela

From: deeahring@...Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:51:09 +0000Subject: [ ] Flatbacker seeking revision Doctor near KCMO

Hi everyone my name is Dee - I'm 50 years old and I'm a fellow flatbacker who has finally come to terms with the fact that revision surgery is probably in my future. I have read many of your posts and can relate to the pain and hardships. My original surgery was done in 1974 by Dr. Marc Asher at KU Med- my curve was 72degree and was corrected to 12 degrees using the Harrington Rods. About 10 years ago I had a discetomy and laminectomy done by Doug Burton at KU which was able to bring my body back to a somewhat upright position. However since that time I've slowly been seeing signs of more and more forward leaning and the awful pain in the hips and knees because of it. My GP Dr has given me muscle relaxers & anti-inflamatory pills to help ease any discomfort- but the reality is the problem is still going to be there. So now I'm beginning the task of research and trying to educate myself in all I can while searching out a Physician who does the revision surgery (as I understand not many are qualified to do so. So to those of you who may be in my area who did your surgery for revision and how are you doing since having it? Any regrets? Things you would have done differently etc.? As I said I'm just beginning the long road towards revision and I want to be as informed as I can be so I can make good choices. I am single and don't have any family members close to help so I really need to make sure I don't go into this blindly. Thank you for your assistance.Dee Independence, MO1974 - Fusion with Harrington Rods T2-L3- Dr Marc Asher KUMed2002- Discestomy & Laminectomy- Dr. Burton KUMedPhil 4:13

[Guest guest]

Pamela,

Thank you for your encouragement. When is your surgery?

Wishing you all the best,

Dee

>

>

> Dee, I am 50, single with no family close by and facing revision this

year....this group has helped me bit by bit, step by baby step, to be LESS

afraid....and that is everything.

>

> Pamela

>

>

>

>

>

>

> From: deeahring@...

> Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:51:09 +0000

> Subject: [ ] Flatbacker seeking revision Doctor near KCMO

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi everyone my name is Dee - I'm 50 years old and I'm a fellow flatbacker who

has finally come to terms with the fact that revision surgery is probably in my

future. I have read many of your posts and can relate to the pain and hardships.

My original surgery was done in 1974 by Dr. Marc Asher at KU Med- my curve was

72degree and was corrected to 12 degrees using the Harrington Rods. About 10

years ago I had a discetomy and laminectomy done by Doug Burton at KU which was

able to bring my body back to a somewhat upright position. However since that

time I've slowly been seeing signs of more and more forward leaning and the

awful pain in the hips and knees because of it. My GP Dr has given me muscle

relaxers & anti-inflamatory pills to help ease any discomfort- but the reality

is the problem is still going to be there. So now I'm beginning the task of

research and trying to educate myself in all I can while searching out a

Physician who does the revision surgery (as I understand not many are qualified

to do so. So to those of you who may be in my area who did your surgery for

revision and how are you doing since having it? Any regrets? Things you would

have done differently etc.? As I said I'm just beginning the long road towards

revision and I want to be as informed as I can be so I can make good choices. I

am single and don't have any family members close to help so I really need to

make sure I don't go into this blindly. Thank you for your assistance.

>

> Dee

> Independence, MO

> 1974 - Fusion with Harrington Rods T2-L3- Dr Marc Asher KUMed

> 2002- Discestomy & Laminectomy- Dr. Burton KUMed

>

> Phil 4:13

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dee,

Welcome to the group.

I am sorry you are in the current difficulties, but I think its one of the first

times that we have had a member join that is looking for help that actually

lives in the same state as Drs Bridwell or Lenke. They are in StLouis,

admittedly a little bit of a trip, but nothing compared to what most members

have to go through to get to see them. They are probably at the top of everyones

list that is looking for an excellent and comprehensive opinion on what can

realistically be done for them. Those that have had surgery at GW seem very

satisfied with the hospital care and I think everyone has been extremely pleased

with their surgical results.

The other source for potential doctors utilizing the Scoliosis Research

Society's website (www.srs.org) which will help you find doctors who have the

right interest in our particular malady and its potential repair.

I hope this helps.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Actually I have thought about Dr. Bridwell or Lenke as they seem to be the

closest to me that actually do this surgery. But a 4 hour trip to St. Louis for

surgery and knowing that after surgery a drive back home would not be possible

for a while-has me hoping that there is someone a bit closer. Those who have had

to travel to have surgery - how long did you stay in the hospital? How long

before you were able to travel back home? This is such a big decision and one

that involves so much== any feedback would be appreciated.

>

> Hi Dee,

>

> Welcome to the group.

>

> I am sorry you are in the current difficulties, but I think its one of the

first times that we have had a member join that is looking for help that

actually lives in the same state as Drs Bridwell or Lenke. They are in StLouis,

admittedly a little bit of a trip, but nothing compared to what most members

have to go through to get to see them. They are probably at the top of everyones

list that is looking for an excellent and comprehensive opinion on what can

realistically be done for them. Those that have had surgery at GW seem very

satisfied with the hospital care and I think everyone has been extremely pleased

with their surgical results.

>

> The other source for potential doctors utilizing the Scoliosis Research

Society's website (www.srs.org) which will help you find doctors who have the

right interest in our particular malady and its potential repair.

>

> I hope this helps.

>

> Take Care, Cam

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dee,I'm here to ask you to please not reject seeing Drs. Bridwell or Lenke because they are too far and because you might find someone closer who is qualified to do the surgery you need. I underwent four fusion surgeries with two different surgeons (highly respected locally) since 2000 and ended up with a bad case of flatback. They told me there was nothing further to be done. In March I underwent revision surgery with Dr. Lenke, and if such an experience can be called gratifying, satisfying, rewarding etc., - it was. I don't know Dr. Bridwell, but for me Dr. Lenke was very direct, but kind and compassionate. I felt very comfortable talking to him and I never felt rushed with him even though on my first visit he was going to catch a flight immediately after. When I

mentioned it, he said don't worry - we'll spend as much time as we need. I almost cried with thankfulness. I live in Michigan and I'm single. Ninety percent of Dr. Lenke's patients are from out of town so they know the challenges that presents and work with you. In my case they were well aware that I was single so I would need to pretty much take care of myself when I returned home and they worked with me on that. My surgery was over two days; I was in the hospital for 9 days and in their Rehabilitation Institute for 11 days. I flew home for an approximately 1:20 flight with no trouble. The drive would have been about 8 hours and Dr. Lenke said that would be too much. (I believe they consider more than four hours drive the cut-off point but don't quote me on that.)I would be happy to correspond with you privately and answer some questions for you since my surgery was so recent and most of it is fresh in my

memory. I say "most of it" because like all of you I suffered some drug-induced memory issues!!Good luck to you. Felicia Kramerhttp://anotherbrightidea.etsy.comwww.feliciakramer.blogspot.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Dee...I'm at work right now, so will keep this short, but I wanted to highly

recommend Dr. Bridwell in St. Louis, MO. He did my revision surgery three

years ago and I have had wonderful results. I am 59 and live in Springfield,

MO. I had my original harrington rod surgery in 1962 at age 11 and again in

1964 (after I grew too much and started to curve below the fusion) by the

pioneer, Dr. Moe in Minneapolis. So, you can see that my rods had been in

for a very long time, but Dr. Bridwell was able to remove my instrumentation and

do the revision. I have nothing but great things to say about him and his staff.

If I can answer any questions, please feel free to email me at

cemrie@.... I was so afraid before my surgery, and this site was a

life saver!!!

Take care....thinking of you,

>

> Hi everyone my name is Dee - I'm 50 years old and I'm a fellow flatbacker who

has finally come to terms with the fact that revision surgery is probably in my

future. I have read many of your posts and can relate to the pain and

hardships. My original surgery was done in 1974 by Dr. Marc Asher at KU Med- my

curve was 72degree and was corrected to 12 degrees using the Harrington Rods.

About 10 years ago I had a discetomy and laminectomy done by Doug Burton at KU

which was able to bring my body back to a somewhat upright position. However

since that time I've slowly been seeing signs of more and more forward leaning

and the awful pain in the hips and knees because of it. My GP Dr has given me

muscle relaxers & anti-inflamatory pills to help ease any discomfort- but the

reality is the problem is still going to be there. So now I'm beginning the task

of research and trying to educate myself in all I can while searching out a

Physician who does the revision surgery (as I understand not many are qualified

to do so. So to those of you who may be in my area who did your surgery for

revision and how are you doing since having it? Any regrets? Things you would

have done differently etc.? As I said I'm just beginning the long road towards

revision and I want to be as informed as I can be so I can make good choices. I

am single and don't have any family members close to help so I really need to

make sure I don't go into this blindly. Thank you for your assistance.

>

> Dee

> Independence, MO

> 1974 - Fusion with Harrington Rods T2-L3- Dr Marc Asher KUMed

> 2002- Discestomy & Laminectomy- Dr. Burton KUMed

>

> Phil 4:13

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you . I have read nothing but good things about Dr. Bridwell and

I more than likely will contact him this next week to set up an appointment.

This is such a big step to make and it is pretty scary when your single and have

limited assistance available from friends and family.

Here's a question to you and others- How long were you totally off work and when

you went back part=time how long before you were able to go to full-time

employment. I do Accounting work and sit much of the day behind a

computer...occasionally a little file work but for the most part my job requires

lots of sitting.

Just beginning the journey but am so thankful for those of you who are willing

to share your journey!

> >

> > Hi everyone my name is Dee - I'm 50 years old and I'm a fellow flatbacker

who has finally come to terms with the fact that revision surgery is probably in

my future. I have read many of your posts and can relate to the pain and

hardships. My original surgery was done in 1974 by Dr. Marc Asher at KU Med- my

curve was 72degree and was corrected to 12 degrees using the Harrington Rods.

About 10 years ago I had a discetomy and laminectomy done by Doug Burton at KU

which was able to bring my body back to a somewhat upright position. However

since that time I've slowly been seeing signs of more and more forward leaning

and the awful pain in the hips and knees because of it. My GP Dr has given me

muscle relaxers & anti-inflamatory pills to help ease any discomfort- but the

reality is the problem is still going to be there. So now I'm beginning the task

of research and trying to educate myself in all I can while searching out a

Physician who does the revision surgery (as I understand not many are qualified

to do so. So to those of you who may be in my area who did your surgery for

revision and how are you doing since having it? Any regrets? Things you would

have done differently etc.? As I said I'm just beginning the long road towards

revision and I want to be as informed as I can be so I can make good choices. I

am single and don't have any family members close to help so I really need to

make sure I don't go into this blindly. Thank you for your assistance.

> >

> > Dee

> > Independence, MO

> > 1974 - Fusion with Harrington Rods T2-L3- Dr Marc Asher KUMed

> > 2002- Discestomy & Laminectomy- Dr. Burton KUMed

> >

> > Phil 4:13

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you...My daughter works for a Neurosurgeon who does alot of spine

surgeries and she keeps wanting me to go talk with him...I don't feel

comfortable with that because I know " we flatbackers " are a unique set of

individuals with very specfic needs. Your email helped with explaining to her

that our needs are not the typical spinal surgery. Traveling 4hrs to get that

need met does seem that unbearable for me...but I do have alot of considerations

like elderly parents Dad86 & Mom82(with Severe Alzheimers)-being part of the

sandwhich generation assisting with elderly parents and trying to be there for

our kiddos and dealing with flatback too. Ugh..can we say overwhelming...trying

hard to take things one day at a time ...am so thankful for this site and for

those who are willing to share.

>

> Hi Dee,

> I'm here to ask you to please not reject seeing Drs. Bridwell or Lenke because

> they are too far and because you might find someone closer who is qualified to

> do the surgery you need. I underwent four fusion surgeries with two different

> surgeons (highly respected locally) since 2000 and ended up with a bad case of

> flatback. They told me there was nothing further to be done. In March I

> underwent revision surgery with Dr. Lenke, and if such an experience can be

> called gratifying, satisfying, rewarding etc., - it was. I don't know Dr.

> Bridwell, but for me Dr. Lenke was very direct, but kind and compassionate. I

> felt very comfortable talking to him and I never felt rushed with him even

> though on my first visit he was going to catch a flight immediately after.

When

> I mentioned it, he said don't worry - we'll spend as much time as we need. I

> almost cried with thankfulness.

>

>

> I live in Michigan and I'm single. Ninety percent of Dr. Lenke's patients are

> from out of town so they know the challenges that presents and work with you.

> In my case they were well aware that I was single so I would need to pretty

much

> take care of myself when I returned home and they worked with me on that. My

> surgery was over two days; I was in the hospital for 9 days and in their

> Rehabilitation Institute for 11 days. I flew home for an approximately 1:20

> flight with no trouble. The drive would have been about 8 hours and Dr. Lenke

> said that would be too much. (I believe they consider more than four hours

drive

> the cut-off point but don't quote me on that.)

>

> I would be happy to correspond with you privately and answer some questions

for

> you since my surgery was so recent and most of it is fresh in my memory. I

say

> " most of it " because like all of you I suffered some drug-induced memory

> issues!!

>

> Good luck to you.

>

> Felicia Kramer

> http://anotherbrightidea.etsy.com

> www.feliciakramer.blogspot.com

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Again, Dee. I'm glad you are considering Dr. Bridwell. I also have a

sitting job...I sit behind the microscope all day looking for cancer, so it is

somewhat the same situation, although I work 2 hours away from home, so I drive

2 hours on Tues, stay in a hotel for 3 nights and drive home on Fridays. I was,

as was Dr. Bridwell, more concerned about the driving rather than my job. I

stayed off work for about 4 months, I believe. When I went back to work, I had

to stop and get out and walk during my drive to and from. Dr. Bridwell also

wanted me to get up every half hour from the sitting position and walk around a

little bit. My Medical Director was very understanding and this wasn't a

problem for me. I still get up every 1/2 hour or so.....I've had 2 hip

surgeries in the last 2 years, so it helps with that, also, but it's just better

for your body, anyway. I received short term disability while I was off which

helped with expenses. Of course, the time off of work varies for each

individual, but this is what I experienced. I was really pleased to get back to

work....it did take time to work into full time, so I would go back to the hotel

and rest some during the day, at first. It didn't take long to get back into

the work mode, and I felt so much better than I had for years before my surgery,

so it was really such a relief.

Lots of prayers and good wishes sent your way!

> > >

> > > Hi everyone my name is Dee - I'm 50 years old and I'm a fellow flatbacker

who has finally come to terms with the fact that revision surgery is probably in

my future. I have read many of your posts and can relate to the pain and

hardships. My original surgery was done in 1974 by Dr. Marc Asher at KU Med- my

curve was 72degree and was corrected to 12 degrees using the Harrington Rods.

About 10 years ago I had a discetomy and laminectomy done by Doug Burton at KU

which was able to bring my body back to a somewhat upright position. However

since that time I've slowly been seeing signs of more and more forward leaning

and the awful pain in the hips and knees because of it. My GP Dr has given me

muscle relaxers & anti-inflamatory pills to help ease any discomfort- but the

reality is the problem is still going to be there. So now I'm beginning the task

of research and trying to educate myself in all I can while searching out a

Physician who does the revision surgery (as I understand not many are qualified

to do so. So to those of you who may be in my area who did your surgery for

revision and how are you doing since having it? Any regrets? Things you would

have done differently etc.? As I said I'm just beginning the long road towards

revision and I want to be as informed as I can be so I can make good choices. I

am single and don't have any family members close to help so I really need to

make sure I don't go into this blindly. Thank you for your assistance.

> > >

> > > Dee

> > > Independence, MO

> > > 1974 - Fusion with Harrington Rods T2-L3- Dr Marc Asher KUMed

> > > 2002- Discestomy & Laminectomy- Dr. Burton KUMed

> > >

> > > Phil 4:13

> > >

> >

>