To Germany or not to Germany

[Dale S]

Hi All,

I think it’s about time I posted the progress of my recovery which I just posted to ‘Surgical Outcomes’. I do want to mention some things I discovered and have also posted in the ‘Big Bucket’, about Germany.

I first want to tell you that I am married to an angel. He will probably never read this post but even after 34 years together, I was and am amazed at how he has cared for me. I have done nothing to deserve such a man but he is the luckiest thing that ever happened to me. It will take several lifetimes to repay his kindnesses, his attentiveness and his love. And just in case you’re wondering, he’s a hunk too!

No one didn’t want to go to Germany more than me. I had so many reasons for not going and on so many levels, that if it was at all possible for me to have stayed in the states, no matter which one, I would have. It didn’t matter that Dr. B had the most experience in multi-level implantation or that my L.A. doctor had very little, or that in my case, the Charite was not the best choice. I didn’t want to go to Germany, period.

I was wrong. I’ll agree that flying over there and back is difficult, but the care and surgical expertise I received in Germany far outweighed the inconvenience. My discogram (or discography) in the U.S., under anesthesia, revealed 4 bad discs, S1-L2. Two well respected ADR surgeons in Los Angeles agreed with the results and were prepared to fuse S1-L5 because of too small a disc space, with 3 ADR’s on top. Then, as too many have experienced, my insurance company refused coverage at the last minute and finances forced me to go to Germany.

Words can’t describe my fear of a non-anesthesia discogram. I don’t think I was ever more stressed over anything. Comforting words and hand holding by Mark ******* from Global Patient Network did nothing to ease my panic. While it did indeed ‘hurt’, my fear and apprehension turned out to be far worse. This test revealed only 3 bad discs. L2/L3 was not a pain generator, as Dr. Bertagnoli had suspected. Dr. B also found that I had an extra (lumberized sacral or L6) vertebrae, something my American doctors never mentioned????

My surgery was difficult and lasted 6 hours. Dr. B was able to implant an ADR in S1/L5 instead of a fusion. My nursing care, though a little different, was far better than I’ve received in any U.S. hospital. Even the language barrier wasn’t that big an issue except at meal time.

Upon my return to the states, I saw my U.S. doctor for follow up care. He was ‘unfamiliar’ with my level of pain.

My moral in all this rhetoric is not to disparage any doctor. The advice from someone who had every reason not to go to Germany, is that those who might be on the fence, or those who are still looking and shopping, or trying to compare one to another, is… Dr. Bertagnoli and his staff are meticulous and exceptional. Please feel free to email me with any questions.

Dale

[letteski]

Hi Dale,

I remember your fears and reservations when you were just considering the idea of going to Germany. I have to say I did not think you would go through with it. I have been so excited and honored to follow your progress you are a true ADR inspiration.

Can’t wait to do lunch bring that hunk of yours

[Dale S]

Paulette,

I already asked if he'd like to join us. Since it's a working day for him and there is no other place he'd rather be, he declined my offer, unless I feel I need the chauffer. I could fake it but we both know better. See you soon.

Dale

[luvmysibe]

Hi Dale,

I am so thrilled for you and your results from your difficult decision to head overseas. I agree that having a supportive and caring spouse certainly makes a tremendous difference in the healing process. Give paulette a hug on my behalf.

Smiles

[David]

Thanks for the post!

I definitely fall into the "on the fence" category. Every day that I continue to wait for two level Prodisc approval in the U.S., I wonder why.

For some reason, something deep in side of me keeps telling me that I should wait for "just a little longer".....And then just a little longer goes from 6 months to almost a year now (since I decided that two level ADR is my best option. Overall, my life has been on hold for 2 years).

And here I sit, and single level Prodisc has yet to be approved for use in the U.S. *sigh*

David

[chasswen]

waiting to fall to the other side.
waiting for cost of single adr and a surgery date now with dr b. but have also emailed dr lam.
recently
all i know soon as i'm ready on my end passports and the moneys which should be in the next few weeks. i will become very antzy
chuck

[Dale S]

David,

My circumstances were a little different, but once I decided my life was literally being wasted and you never know how much time you have, I knew I had to move forward. For my 3 or 4 level in the US, I was looking at over $100,000 in costs. Flying to Germany, surgery, the best of the best, was less than $60,000. My decision was made. I was tired of the pain, the depression, but most of all, the waste of my precious time. When you get there, you'll know.

Chuck,

Making a decision to move forward is by far the hardest decision but then second guessing yourself and nervous tension set it and you become a wreck, especially as your surgical date nears. This is not only normal, but what we all went through. No matter what your elective surgery, this is the pattern, but more severe with this more intensive surgery. With passport in hand, I'm positive you'll be fine. Just remember to keep relaxing and breathing!

I wish you both the best of luck and good fortune,

Dale

[chasswen]

Thanks a million dale s
i sugested to david we do germany this summer
waiting for things to happen is pitts. but hanging in there enough is enough seems with adr and insurance your dammed if you do and dammed you dont.
only other option would be fda trial but post treatment could still be denied.so while i still can its time to get fixed.
thanks again
chuck

[David]

Thanks for the replies, Dale and Chuck.

The thread I am desperately trying to hold onto is waiting for the multi-level arm of the Activ-L / Prodisc study.

Already 5 months into 2006, and the FDA still hasn't approved Prodisc for one level in the U.S, let alone 2 level (probably 6-12 months wait after 1 level, in my opinion).

Obviously, I am getting very desperate (and borderline depressed, to top it off). Although I hate to wait, I find myself thinking that if nothing happens in the U.S. in the next 6 months that I should finally commit and start the process with Dr. B. At least in that case I would have something to look forward to...

David

[chasswen]

david i understand 100% im to a point i cannt wait any more.
ive also been trying to get answers for 2 1/2 years with back pain on and off since 1990
now ive made my mind up waiting is worst
chuck