[Anne189]

Many thanks to all the kind and beautiful people who have sent their thoughts and prayers my way! Thank you Cynlite, Dema, scoop302, Cheryl0331, colorado babe, jss and NJ Gene!
It will be two weeks this Monday for my 3 level fusion C4-7. All of my pain had been taken away when I woke up as it would seem to also do with ADR. In the end, as a single woman who was in a lot of pain, unable to drive and fearing a fall could result in me being paralyzed I went with the fusion. The cost would have been a strain too and my elderly parents did not feel good about traveling to Europe at all. I couldn't put them through it, especially if the surgery failed in some way.
Gene, you were so kind to help me see that it was ok to choose the fusion, given my circumstances. I'm going to keep a positive attitude and do the best I can at physical therapy when my doctor clears me to do it. Right now I need to try to walk each day outside. The heat and the collar don't mix well. I walk inside some days and track it on a pedometer. My four inch vertical incision still hurts and I'm not looking forward to having the 12 steri strips pulled off this Monday. When I feel my incision pain, I take Dilaudid and it makes me sleep alot. Tylenol doesn't work. I am trying to ween myself off and only take them when I really need it.
I did hear back from Dr. Bierstadt a few days ago, and I got a quote from Clavel yesterday. They seem to charge about the same, except Clavel doesn't quote hotel and food for a travel companion. They both recommended a 3 level ADR for around $36,000 to $38,000 total. Dr. Bertagnoli was at $56,000 for a 4 level ADR. Interesting, that of the three he would have chosen my C3/4 in the mix, even though that one did not compress my spinal cord. I'm not sure if that is to prevent further surgery or overdoing it. I have been feeling somewhat sad about not getting the ADR. There was a point in the hospital where I woke up and was wondering why I was wearing a hard Miami J collar while I was in Spain!?!
If it were up to me personally I would have taken the chance on the 3 level ADR. And if I had unlimited funds I wouldn't fear having to travel back to Europe should I need it. Five out of 6 of the American surgeons I saw were so fearful of a 3 level for me, one would do a hybrid but he did not take my insurance. I even have a Medtronic sales rep at my church who knows all the surgeons in the area and he advised me against it. He told me which doctors have the best success rates and when I saw one of them he said, if it were my wife, in your condition, I would choose (the surgeon I used) and get a 3 level fusion. Because if it fails they may not be able to fix it and it will be hard to get a local surgeon to help you. You may end up with the fusion anyway but in two surgeries which would make it less chance of being successful. And this is from a doctor who does ADR one or two levels in the states.
In the end, everyone needs to look at what situation they are in and what is right for them. I need to remind myself there are people out there with successful 3 level fusions as I really had no choice. And believe me I tried hard not to get it. Life could be much worse. I'm grateful for what I have and will do my best with what I have.
Thank you again for all your love and support! I look forward to hearing about all of your successful ADR recoveries! xoxox