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iSpine Discuss Surgery Next Friday in the Main forums forums; I got the call that I will be going under the knife next Friday. My pre-op is this Friday ...

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Old 01-27-2009, 10:50 PM
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Location: Longview, TX
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Default Surgery Next Friday

I got the call that I will be going under the knife next Friday. My pre-op is this Friday and I am scared s***less!! But, I need to remember that this is what I needed and wanted. I have decided on the fusion. I am scared of future facet probems. Please keep the ol' bald headed East Texan in your prayers and I really do appreciate all the advise that I have received here. I will update everyone when I am able. I am going to buy a fly-tying kit to keep my mind of work while I am off. When I have recovered, I can go catch crappie with what I have created. I will go crazy here doing nothing. Thank Yall for everythang. (thats east texan slang for more than one person!) he-he
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Old 01-27-2009, 11:14 PM
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Greg,

I think you've made the right choice for your situation. Know it's been a long haul, but you're almost there.

I didn't read much on line before I went to Germany for my surgery, I had absolutely no fears. And you know it really wasn't that bad.

May God watch over you and your caretakers and provide your doctor with skilled hands. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

And nothing wrong with bald heads. Trying to talk hubby into shaving, like Telly . In case you aren't old enough to remember the bald detective, like MJ or how about "Z" Go Cavs!

Good luck with the fly tying. Sandy
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**Accidents, active life-style, always some back/neck pain controlled w/ibuphrofen
2004 excessive pain, x-ray, PT, MRI diagnosis cervical DDD
**PM recommended, meds, PT, massage therapy, chiropractor, injections
**Dec. 2007 numbness and weakness in left arm/thumb, x-rays, MRI, discs at C4-7 pushing on spinal cord, fusion or ADR out of country
**April 7, 2008, discogram at C3-4, surgery 4 levels, Prodisc-C, Dr. Bertagnoli, Germany
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Old 01-28-2009, 01:58 AM
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I say ya'll too, it really is a Texas thing (or thang in Texas). I am going for my pre-op tomorrow in Florida and am scared that this is really happening. Funny how you want it so bad, fight for it, pray for it, and then it comes time to get it and you are scared to death. I just keep telling myself that it is for my good and the good of my family. I will keep you in my prayers and wish you the best, Kathy
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34 years old-
1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler
Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, accupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc
Had Baby #3 after ADR!
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Old 01-28-2009, 03:24 AM
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Greg,
i wish you well. I may soon be following in your footsteps so please keep us posted on your recovery. You will do well even though this is a scary process. I am sure that you have good Drs. lined up for your care. Be Well.
Phylly
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Cervical fusion C4-6 March 2002
Fall on tailbone causing sciatica and back pain April 05
Conservative Treatment and PM for 2 years
Discogram concordant pain @L4-S1 Aug. 07
Prodisc ADR's at L4-S1 November 2007
Foraminotomy July 08 for Sciatica
Continued problems and back pain worsened
Prodiscs removed and discs fused at L4-S1 Feb. 09
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Old 01-28-2009, 03:09 PM
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Greg, we are all pulling for you. I had a fusion on that level as well, so feel free to PM or ask me anything. You will do fine. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless!

Cindylou
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bicycle accident 6/01: 2 compression fractures @ T12-L1; vertibroplasty; 4/06: right hip labral tear & arthroscopic repair; 4/07: lumbar prodiscs @ 3 levels, L3-6 by Dr. Bertagnoli; 7/02/08: ALIF L6-S1; 7/30/08: reopened to remove bone cement, leaked onto S1 nerve root; 8/08: pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, pleurisy, pleural effusion; ALIF fusion complete; 3/10/09: SI Joint Fusion by Dr. Stark; Jury still out.
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Old 01-28-2009, 04:23 PM
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Facing surgery, any surgery, is always a scary proposition but spinal surgery is especially difficult. As this week turns into just days, I suspect you'll be jumping out of your skin but that's one of the reasons why we're here. We're very adept at restuffing you, as often as you need it. For those of us who've had surgery, we got through it. For those of us who had difficult recoveries, we got through it... and so will you. You have every reason to believe in a great outcome and remember to breathe at all times.

Also remember this, G-d made only a few perfect heads. On the rest he put hair!

I wish you the best, Dale
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Severe nerve damage in left leg, still working on it
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Old 01-28-2009, 05:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dshobbies View Post
Facing surgery, any surgery, is always a scary proposition but spinal surgery is especially difficult. As this week turns into just days, I suspect you'll be jumping out of your skin but that's one of the reasons why we're here. We're very adept at restuffing you, as often as you need it. For those of us who've had surgery, we got through it. For those of us who had difficult recoveries, we got through it... and so will you. You have every reason to believe in a great outcome and remember to breathe at all times.

Also remember this, G-d made only a few perfect heads. On the rest he put hair!

I wish you the best, Dale
I like that saying Dale. I will have to borrow that one from you. Once I started losing my hair, I said screw it and shaved it all. One of my concerns now is what is going to happen when it is bill time here. At work they have a new short time disability program that replaced our extended illness bank. I hope it pays enough. My 401K and insurance are going to be pulled from it while I am off. I don't like that. I am waiting to hear from HR to make sure how it all works. I never really paid attention to it before.
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Old 01-28-2009, 05:19 PM
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Default Wishing you the best

On your upcoming surgery and recovery! Good for you for stepping up to the plate
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Old 01-28-2009, 06:36 PM
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Good luck, I will be pulling for you. I'm sure you are relieved to finally have a decision. You might be scared, but that is normal.

We are here for you.
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Cathy

46 years old. 12-15 years of intermittent pain, 2 years with constant pain.

DDD, L4-5 and L5-S1, pain confirmed by discogram.
PT, ESI's, Facet injection and block, Acupuncture - all no help.

2-level (Prodisc-L) ADR surgery with Dr. Bertagnoli, May 26, 2009.

Currently taking Opana-ER (tapering off) and oxycodone
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Old 01-28-2009, 07:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eastex View Post
... and I am scared s***less!!

Sounds like good bowel prep.... That should give you an easier time post-op!

I'm looking forward to hearing of your easy time and excellent long-term success!

All the best,

Mark
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1997 MVA
2000 L4-5 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy
2001 L5-S1 Micro-d/lami
2002 L4-S1 Charite' ADR - SUCCESS!
2009 C3-C4, C5-C6-C7, T1-T2 ProDisc-C Nova
Summer 2009, more bad thoracic discs!
Life After Surgery Website
President: Global Patient Network, Inc.
Founder: www.iSpine.org
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Old 01-29-2009, 02:10 AM
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Good luck Eastex!
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-Justin
1994 Football Injury
1997 Snow Skiing Injury
Laminotomy L4/L5 (3.7.97--17 years old)
1999 & 2003 MVA (not at fault both times)
Grade V Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6* *lumbosacral transitional vertebra (11.15.03--23 years old)
Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli -- dr-bertagnoli.com
Pain-free for the last 4.5 yrs.
5.14.09 DSS with Dr. B.
I'm here to help. Only checking PMs currently.
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Old 01-29-2009, 02:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mmglobal View Post
Sounds like good bowel prep.... That should give you an easier time post-op!

I'm looking forward to hearing of your easy time and excellent long-term success!

All the best,

Mark
Nice Mark! LOL I was scared sh&%less myself when I had my fusion last week. It did nothing for my bowel prep though

Actually, I didn't even have to do bowel prep which I thought was weird.
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Disc Bulge C4/C5, Disc Degeneration T11/T12, Bi-Lateral tears L5/S1, Diagnosed w/ Lumbar Disc Derangement w/ Radiculopaphy. Treatment: IDET, Percutaneous Discectomy, SI Joint Injection, Facet Block. All failed. Empire BC/BS Denied Coverage for ADR-lost all of my appeals. MVP also denied coverage.

Anterior/Posterior Fusion L5/S1 -1/20/09
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