[Maria]

Jim,
I'm sorry to read you're having problems. I imagine part of that is because you do work and can't rest when you really need to or for the amount of time that you might need to but then again it could just be time to do something about the issues at hand.

I would say that if you could get out here to CA that seeing Dr. Coufal in San Diego would be well worth your time. I bet he could and might do the revision type of work. He's a neurosurgeon and was a 2nd surgical opinion I was sent to in 2006 and Mark accompanied me and has kept up with him I believe. I referred a neighbor of mine to Mark and Dr.Coufal and she had a cervical fusion and ADR and seems to be doing quite well. I believe she has other work to consider as well and is very pleased with Dr.Coufal and I don't think she will hesitate to do what he suggests.

I know that's a distance away for you and I'm sure you'd like to use someone local though I just thought I'd throw it out there.

The other thing is would you consider going on permanent disability? Doesn't sound like you want to do this and you may not feel able to do so either though I just wondered. I once felt like it would be the worst thing in the world to do and yet honestly I think I was able to choose not to have more surgery because I stopped working. Anyway no one was offering me anything but a 3 level global fusion back when I left work and that was just not agreeable to me at the time (and I'm still glad I didn't have that surgery).

Back to surgery.. what revision specialists have you thought about consulting with? I'd be interested to read more if you feel like writing about whenever or whatever you do. Meanwhile take care, Maria