We be going to England!

[Shay]

Still working on the surgery date, but looks like mid January.
STALIF TT interbody fusion at L5-S1 and M6-L ADR L4/5.
Still have to decide on BMP vs. hip bone. Any info on that is welcome!
I'm cheap so leaning toward hip bone.

I'm mostly just in shock about writing that check. OUCH!
Yona is super excited for me, she keeps talking about how she's looking forward to me getting my life back, etc. etc. I'm just not there yet.
Nervous, I guess. It pushes all my money issues, ya know?
Shay

[back2lifeplease]

Shay, good luck and congrats. Are you doing it with Boeree? I literally just got off the phone with him and have decided to get two get a two level ADR with him. Hoping to get over there quickly as well.

Good luck to you.

Originally Posted by Shay

Still working on the surgery date, but looks like mid January.
STALIF TT interbody fusion at L5-S1 and M6-L ADR L4/5.
Still have to decide on BMP vs. hip bone. Any info on that is welcome!
I'm cheap so leaning toward hip bone.

I'm mostly just in shock about writing that check. OUCH!
Yona is super excited for me, she keeps talking about how she's looking forward to me getting my life back, etc. etc. I'm just not there yet.
Nervous, I guess. It pushes all my money issues, ya know?
Shay

[MeggieLynn]

Congrats on coming to a decision! Best wishes for a good outcome! I see no reason why you wouldn't. Re: the lack of enthusiasm - I guess it's kind of hard to wrap your head around the fact that you're finally going to get it done. So much effort to try to get well. Shame on this country, with its antiquated & greedy insurance company co policies, and spine docs with their heads still stuck in a 1980's mentality. The more progressive and enlightened spine docs in this country are essentially stuck with their hands tied w/little ability to move forward. Re:the BMP - Some general info below to read. May not influence your decision too much - it is pricey. Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) Markets: Peering into the Future of Orthopedic Care

[laid up doc]

after the initial OMG! what did i just sign up for???.... i felt SO much better mentally, and since i'm a big ole planner - put all of my efforts into planning my trip. gave me something to do rather than feel sorry for myself and made me feel like i was DOING something definitive, at long last. it can be really scary at first though, then it'll get scary again right before you go, at least in my experience.

best of luck, take a deep breath....

[jss]

Shay,

For both of my fusions they used bone from my hip. I hear people talk about how painful it is, but both times for me was a piece of cake.

Congratulations! You're going to do great with Dr Boeree.

Good luck, Jeff

[Vicki_in_Florida]

Sending the money is scary and is not a small amount but being able to say to you now that I can sit, walk, sneeze, cough, watch a movie, cook dinner and have a life again without pain and drugs. When I look at the results, it makes it all worth it.
The nice thing about Boeree is you can stay as long as you like (but you will want to get out).

Now that you have made your decision, try not to beat yourself up with worry.
Easy to say and hard to do. Keep your eye on the finish line
Can't wait to see you in the surgical outcome section!

[Jstuckey]

Congrats on the plan! That is exactly what I had so please ask away! I would definitely say bone from your hip. It did not cause me any discomfort. Price is better. Mr Boeree says the fusion is better with your own bone.
I would be happy to share anything!!!

[Shay]

I appreciate all the support and suggestions.
Another decision is whether to do double ADR or fusion/ADR. Part will depend on what happens during surgery. However I need to figure out my preference if I will even consider double ADR.
I go back and forth on this. Valid arguments for both. Just don't know how to make the decision!
Looks like a couple of us will be there at the same time?
Shay

[back2lifeplease]

Hey got your message. We need to chat and see if we will be there together. That would be great. Regarding which surgery to do is ultimately up to you. But I would rely on Boeree on this one. You picked him for a reason and I would trust what he suggests. In my conversation with him, I got a good sense that he will do what he thinks is best for your quality of life. He even told me that once he gets in there and if it looks worse than he thought, he would have no problem doing a fusion if necessary. That made me feel good. I would let him know your concerns before you there, just so you can hash it out before or during your stay. I hope that helps and best of luck to you. Look forward to seeing you over there.

Originally Posted by Shay

I appreciate all the support and suggestions.
Another decision is whether to do double ADR or fusion/ADR. Part will depend on what happens during surgery. However I need to figure out my preference if I will even consider double ADR.
I go back and forth on this. Valid arguments for both. Just don't know how to make the decision!
Looks like a couple of us will be there at the same time?
Shay

[Jstuckey]

I had a "back up plan" going into surgery too. If this happens, then we'll do this... but we'll shoot for this.... We were all in agreement before the anesthesia hit! I trusted him completely, and I think he gives you more options since he is willing to do fusions and not just ADRs. An ADR is not always the best option. (Love my STALIF as much as my ADR if I haven't mentioned that 100 times already!)