Making the Leap - who to choose?

[2Confused]

Re: Post Op Follow Up

Laura, I also discussed the possibility of going overseas with my Neurosurgeon. He was willing to to a 2 level ADR, but we would have had to pay cash & he had never done a two level ADR. I asked him about the M-6, he was not familiar with the device. We discussed at length the fusion and ADR, Pro-Disc C and I told him what little I knew and understand about the M-6, and then, I point blank asked him, "Dr. _______, IF I make the decision to go to Europe, due to the costs, will you treat me post-op?" He said, "YES". (I was thrilled & he has been true to his word).

Open up a dialog with your doctor, explain your concerns, fears, etc.... And maybe your doctor will be agreeable to post op follow up.

I feel very fortunate that my doctor agreed to do post op follow up before I made the decision, it eased my mind knowing I had follow up medical care upon my return, which in turn helped us make the decision to go abroad.

[LauraB]

Thanks NJGene. I wasn't aware of the SKYPE account. I will look into that.
We do have international calling on our phone, but it is only discounted, and not always guaranteed to work.
The tax entity was something I was aware of, but was not part of the "thinking" process until you brought it up. I felt a little more weight lift off my shoulders.

2confused: I also have a worldwide network on my insurance plan, 60% would be a Godsend.

After a long deliberating discussion about our surgeon choices, my husband pushed the plate and we decided to go with Dr. Bertognoli. I felt that either choice was a good one and I would have felt confident with Dr. Bierstedt, as well. The only problem was Dr. Bertognoli couldn't schedule me until Sept 24. This gives me more time to raise funds and get my act together, but it is also the beginning of Oktoberfest - very expensive time to travel to Germany. Dr. Bierstedt could schedule a month earlier which would allow me to go back to work sooner, but my job opportunities for the new school year are pretty well shot anyhow. I am nervously anxious to embark on this journey, but from all the positive feedback you all have given me, I can't wait to feel good again. BTW i've had to take 3 breaks just to write this short note - can't sit still; so I apologize sometimes if I sound a little "all over the place." I have so much going on in my mind.

[marlin5353]

Congratulations Laura on a very tough decision. I don't think you could have made a bad decision with either Dr. but I look forward to following your progress and reading about your great recovery on the blog. I wish you all the success.

Cheers (Prost in Germany)

Mark

[LauraB]

Thank you Mark. I appreciate the well-wishes. As you are aware it is a tough decision and one I really had to make on my own. This forum undoubtedly helped me make up my mind.

Due to the timeframe (Oktoberfest), I had to book my air travel quickly. Hotels around Munich are outrageous!!! 250-2000 euro a night. I will keep everyone updated as my travel arrangements progress.

It is unfortunate that Oktoberfest and "meds" don't go well together - or ???? Wow, I really would hate to pass up a true-german stein and Brat. At least I can always say....."I was there....."

[marlin5353]

Been to Oktoberfest many times. Much safer pre or post op to go in the day, the atmosphere is still crazy, 10,000 people per tent singing and dancing but not as pushy and rough as the evenings when the younger folks get a little more rambunctious.

Please stay in touch.

[NJ Gene]

Laura, congratulations on making your decision. I'm glad I was able to help you out with the Skype and tax info. In terms of travel, do you live in a place where you can get a direct flight to Munich? If not, it would be my recommendation to try and fly via a U.S. city (i.e. New York, Chicago) that does have one. IMO, it's better to have a layover in a U.S. city than one in Europe. Furthermore, on the outbound flight (if stopping elsewhere in Europe) you would have to claim your bags, go through customs, then re-check them for Munich. If you have a layover in a US. city, you won't even see your checked bags. You might not even have to go through security again.

Coming home is a different story. I still think it's best to have only one stop in a U.S. city. You will have to go through customs at your first port of entry upon the return and then re-check your bags for your home city.

Gene

[2Confused]

Laura,

Congratulations on making a decision! The hard part is done! Hope your insurance comes through for you! Honestly, even today, we are shocked that we got the check! Shocked, but thankful!
With the hard part done, you can breathe deep and get your plans together! I hope your procedure goes as smoothly as mine! I literally woke up in recovery feeling better than since the accident! Best of luck & keep us posted!

[LauraB]

I'm so happy to have that weight off my shoulder. However.....just today I received a call (not an email) from Dr. Bierstedt. He wanted to go over my MRI's, scans, xrays, and personally offer his opinion. I WAS SO IMPRESSED! I know I made my decision already - BUT, if I hadn't already started booking my travel (due to the Oktoberfest thingee), I would have sided in his direction. Either way, I KNOW I made a good choice with either surgeon. But for others who are straddling the fence - definitely a surgeon with patience and compassion.

My travel arrangements are out of Chicago. I checked stops and the best I can do was Frankfurt. I forgot about the customs check. I only have a 90 minute layover so I hope it will be enough. I can't afford Business or First Class - so I'm settling with coach and valium. Our flight leaves at 10 PM - so I hope to pass out. The return is non stop (?), but I'm thinking it might have been better to have a stop somewhere - just to get mobile. Lufthansa had a good rate for this time of year (I guess you can say that), and they do have a policy of waiving fees for changes in flights due to medical necessity.

I keep my fingers crossed about the insurance and will keep working on them until they're sick of me. The tax write-off certainly will help though. I will make the most of it. It was a shame that when I put in my medical claim for my car accident (hit from behind while stopped in traffic), half went for the medical protocol that led up to this point, and the lawyer is cruising around on the other. I got some grocery money LOL.

[Dema]

Laura, wishing you the best with your decision, and my prayers for an easy trip and successful surgery and your safe return, pain free, back home.
Thanks to you and Gene, I am considering Dr. Bierstedt, and will reach out to him next week while I await responses from the other surgeons.
Dema

[NJ Gene]

LauraB, sometimes you can get revenue upgrades to business or first class when you check in for your flight(s). They do this to try and get some extra $$ for seats in those classes that would otherwise be empty. It may be $500.00 per passenger or slightly more if available, but it's far less than if you booked business or first class initially. This would clearly be more important for the return flight. Even if you're unable to do this, the plane is most likely a wide body, so try to get up a couple of times and walk the aisles.

Gene