Posted for Linda, in Bogen, Germany

[Harrison]

My name is Linda and I am in Bogen, Germany. I just had 2 prodiscs placed at C5/6 and C67 in the cervical spine on Tuesday and am getting along beautifully. Dr. Bertagnoli did them. I also had 2 prodiscs put in the lumbar spine at L4/L5 and L5/S1 at the Texas Back Institute by Dr. Rashbaum in the American research program in October of 2002. One month after the surgery I could bend over and touch my hands flat on the floor and had more sideways flexibility than a normal non surgical patient.

I began to be able to ski and wakeboard again the next spring and I am over 50. They tell me I will ski again after this surgery. I just wanted to encourage people that this surgery really does work. I will be checking out of the hospital either today or tomorrow. This is a relatively new program at Bogen, but Dr. Bertagnoli has been performing this surgery for quite some time.

I got 8 CD�s called �German with Michel Thomas and it has been a great help in trying to communicate. It is a very quick easy way to learn the language. In 5 days I was able to communicate at least on some level. So far it has been great. The German people are very hospitable and all the doctor�s and nurses are here to please. I will let you know how it goes.

For those of you who have been reading Ann�s posts, she is in the next room as mine and is getting ready to go have her surgery shortly. I would be glad to talk to any of you considering this option.

Linda - l.roberts@comcast.net

[Mariaa]

Linda,
Wow! I'm turning 51 in Feb and still hemming and hawwing over getting my lumbar ADR done. Trying to make sure I do the right thing at the right place (am WC so have only been authorized to have surgery several places here in CA.).
Anyway, reading what you wrote is very inspiring~
Congrats on your excellent results! Thanks for sharing the info!

[Ann F]

From Ann in the next room. Linda and I have gotten acquainted as right now we are the only Americans in Bogen, also Jeff across the hallway from Seattle had a 1 level Lumbar ADR yesterday at L5-6 I think. Everyone here has been wonderful and the food is excellent for hospital food. They really care over here.
Had my surgery yesterday and for the first time in 5 years I am without headaches, numbness, and pain. I also recommend Dr B HIGHLY!!
Please feel free to ask either of us questions. I have not yet seen Jeff since his surgery. He was in so much pain he could only stand or lie downbefore surgery. No sitting for any length of time. Will keep you posted on his progress, not sure he had a laptop.

[Poncho]

Dear Linda & Ann F,

Thank-you for posting your progress. I was 34 8 months ago when I had this done. Dr. B was my surgeon too. I have not tried skiing yet, but it does sound like something to try in the near future I hope that the both of you will get to take in some of the sites in Germany before having to return home. It is a beautiful country.

[gary]

wow, maria....you don't look 51!!
gary
i'm turning 50 this year......

[Linda]

Hello again,

We arrived back in Dallas on Wednesday evening and I am recovered from jetlag enough to give an update. I am doing well. It is Friday evening about 11:35 p.m. and I took my last pain medication yesterday (Thursday the 20th) at about 2:30 p.m. I can't say I am totally pain-free yet, but I am close enough that I have been able to go without any meds. I will keep you posted on my recovery. I believe it will be smooth sailing and would love to talk to anyone considering this option. I would highly reccommend it. It worked great on the 2 levels in my lumbar spine and am sure I will have great results with the 2 levels in my cervical spine. By the way, I took a lot of pictures of the Hotel room, hospital room, doctors and staff, if anyone is going and wants to see what they are getting themselves into. Dr. Bertagnoli and Dr. Mazyk (the American anesthesiologist signed by neck brace)and I thought that was pretty neat. Dr. B. wrote "For my favorite patient" and Dr. Mazyk wrote "I hope you had some sweet dreams." I thought that was pretty cute. The German people are very accomodating. The very first night we checked into the hospital, the staff sent up a specialist to hookup the internet in our room. My husband stayed at the hospital with me and they gave us a great room! More later.

Linda

[Alastair]

Great to have you back home Linda - - -take care
Best
Alastair

[Linda]

Thanks! It is good to be back, but I miss the beautiful country of Germany! I look forward to the soon coming day when I will be totally pain-free again. I am to start back to school on Monday. I have already missed a week of classes. I am not sure I am going to be able to this, but I am going to sure give it a try. It hasn't even been two weeks since the surgery, but I am in a radiology program and at my age I can't afford to sit out of the program until September which is when I would have to sit out until if I can't make it this week in school. Thanks again for the best wishes Alastair!

Linda

[Justin]

Linda,

Good luck going back to school. I know how missing school can really put things on hold (I had to take a lot of time off of school to get my back under control).

Here's my $.02--school will always be there (even if you have to wait to Sept), but you only get one spine in this life. The first 6 weeks are vital in the osteointegration timeframe. Just be safe and don't overdo things.

Hope all is well,

Justin

[Linda]

Thanks Justin,

I have been through this once before, so I know I can't overdo it. I do have a tendancy to do that, unfortunately. I don't know for sure how school will go, but at my age (53) I sort of need to get on with it if I am going to finish. I feel bad that you had to go through this surgery at such a young age, but it is wonderful that you got ADR instead of a fusion. My daughter was in a car accident and had to have a discectomy at L5/S1 when she 23 years old. She seems to be all right now, but she gave up her 2nd job as a competitive gymnastics coach which she loved. She decided not to go back after her recovery and finished her college instead. I have only used one pain pill since Thursday, so I am doing really good. My only complaint is a choking sensation. I am very allergic to feathers and the German bedding is down feathers so I got pretty sick even before the surgery and had to be treated for severe allergy problems the day before surgery. Obviously, they brought me some other pillows and bedding. The first night we stayed in Munich and I slept on the down bedding. Bad decision-Ha!

Take care,

Linda