[SandyW]

C4-5 -small posterior leak-volume pressure normal-no pain

C5-6- Abnormal, degenerative, leaky -reduced pressure-moderate pain
which patient rates 7/10
C6-7 - Abnormal, degenerative, leaky -reduced pressure-sever pain which patient rated 8
out of 10

You need advice from the more knowledgeable members!

IMHO I like your last scenario, BUT??

1) C6-7 ADR, insurance pays now
2) C5-6 Fibrin, you pay. It lasts 2-3 yrs and in that period of time maybe?? insurance starts paying and there will be better devices, more experienced surgeons.
3) C4-5 might go bad during that time period and by then insurance will pay, etc. for 2 ADRs

As Smokey the Bear says "only YOU can decide". A bummer! You're sort of between a rock and a hard place.

If going to Germany won't leave you destitute, I'd go there and have the two done - get it over and start enjoying your life? Can you take money out of your 401K without a penalty, is it invested in stocks? Not a good time to sell stocks. Can you get a medical loan?


I took some cash advances on those credit card offers you get in the mail, like no interest till Oct, 2009. I only had to pay 3%, then chop away at it till the no interest date ends. If you can't pay it off then, transfer to another credit card with 0% interest. Only do this one time unless they are waving the cash advance fee. Remember the 3% interest (cash advance fee) for 6 mos is the same as 6% interest for 1 year. A medical loan might be higher? Not sure you'll understand what I'm saying, but if you do, you can move money around and reduce your costs.


I know this doesn't really help you, just more ideas. Good luck and God bless, Sandy