Posted for Linda, in Bogen, Germany

[Christy Beckwith]

Dear Linda,

I am hoping to make contact with you when you have a moment. I don't know whether you'll even go back to read this post. I've been through four surgeries in the past 2 years and now a double fusion in the C spine has been recommended by a very respected surgeon here in Los Angeles. When I spoke with him about adr surgery he felt that the technology was not advanced enough and considered it to be enormously risky.

Anyway, if there's any chance of talking with you, I'll leave my number below.

Christy Beckwith
8181-846-0455

[Rose]

Dave had a double ADR and 360 lumbar fusion combination in Germany in September. His docs here said his case was "too risky and technology is too new to do ADRs". He also has been told by docs here that he'll eventually need a double cervical fusion. Again the ADR technology is "too risky and technology and too new". Of course, in the U.S., it is. In Germany...the lumbar ADR surgery has been the gold standard for years.

We will be putting off the cervical surgery as long as possible, but Dave already has chosen to go back to Germany for ADRs when the time comes.

[Rose]

I guess I should have added that Dave went back to work without any restrictions within three months of his Double ADR-single fusion in Germany.

Before the surgery, he worked, came home in agony, took meds, and sat in a chair all night. Now, he gets a good night's sleep without pain meds, has a spring in his step and can beat the younger guys up the five story printing presses they maintain, comes home ready to go out to the movies, hiking, shopping...it's wonderful to have our lives back.

[Linda]

Rose,

Tell Dave congratulations on his recovery. I think you are making the right decision to have ADR in the cervical spine when the time comes. I would only caution not to put it off too long. I am finding the people that put it off as long as absolutely possible don't necessarily do as well with their recovery because of severe nerve damage. If you wait until you are in excruciating pain 24/7, neither ADR of fusion works as well. At least that has been the experience I am seeing. I was able to postpone my cervical surgery for a couple of years. But, I didn't wait until it completely disabled me. After I started having to take pain meds on a semi-regular basis and it began to interfere with my life, I knew from experience not to put off the inevitable any longer and go ahead and have the surgery while I still had strength. Dr. Bertagnoli told me I had a lot of neck strength which was in my favor for recovery. I did some neck strengthening at a wonderful rehab center called DBC of America before my surgery. I met many people there that were able to avoid surgery entirely after going through their program.
Anyway, sorry to write a novel here. I am so happy for you that you got your lives back! Best wishes for a happy and healthy future!

Linda