New level of disgust with US healthcare

[dbalkema]

Thats unbelievable.

I'm sorry for your troubles.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family while you travel overseas.

Good Luck!
Dan

[dshobbies]

Bob,

There are good and bad people in all aspects of life but too often a doctor's ego is his downfall. I'm sorry this wrench was thrown in at the last minute but like eveyone else, it might be a blessing. My insurance company was my wrench and I too went to Germany.

I've posted often how afraid I was to go to Germany for surgery. It was a waste of my energies. However, one word of caution. The Stenum hospital may have helped a lot of people but they also have a blemished record. Especially if you have an insurance reimbursement, have you considered Dr. Bertagnoli, more commonly referred to as Dr. B?

If you go through Mark, GPN Artificial Disc Replacement ADR, a consultation can take place quickly and surgery may be just around the corner. Please call him if for nothing else then to investigate this possibility.

I hope you find the relief you seek, I'm just pretty skepical about Stenum.

Dale

[New-disc]

Hello,

You only have 1 spine ..... do your research!

The Maverick's design looked strong @ the time of
my surgery.

I chose not to be fused due to my life style.

Real life #'s are yet to come out on how long the
discs will last. ( I'll let you know in about 10 yrs )

Please keep us posted!!

Todd

PS. My Doctors in Maine had me doomed before I found the Maverick. (They wanted me sitting in a wheelchair full time before they would do any surgery)

[runner]

Oh, Bob,

The surgeon is a bit arrogant, huh?
Hopefully, this will work out in the long run.

Runner

[trkdoc714]

Thank you all for your responses. Unfortunately this is typical for the type of treatment we've both experienced in Georgia. He's an associate professor at E**** Medical College. I guess as patients we have to fit into their level of experience and skills. Since this would have been the third Discover disc of the trial, I'm not sure what basis of experience he's drawing from.

Oh well. We all run into people like this from time to time.

In the meantime, we're going forward with plans to go to Stenum. My Employee Services group told me today that absolutely no overseas medical expenses would be covered unless I was overseas for employment or had an accident or illness while vacationing there.

So I'm going to refinance the house (if there is any equity these days), cash out the 401K (again, if there is any value left these days) and borrow the balance from relatives. Whatever it takes, we're going to get healthy again.

Also this week, my supervisor told me he was going to hold me to quota this year, raised it by 25%, smiled and told me he was tired of me taking so much time off of work. He wants me to investigate disability. I feel so sorry for him with all the trouble I've put him through.

And finally, as soon as I stepped in the door tonight, my 2 year old son met me at the door to give me a big hug. Life is great!

Thanks again for letting me vent,

Bob

[Terry Allen Blackburn]

Hang in there Bob. Without our health we have nothing. Karma has a way of catching up to people. I hope your supervisor eats his words some day. I see this with employees that work for me. I let them take care of their health issues. They are not going to be good employees if they are in a lot of pain to begin with.

I am very satisfied with my maverick discs and Stenum Hospital. All surgeons have good and bad outcomes. The nature of the human organism is that we take whatever baggage we bring with us to the operating table. This means our heredity, current health, co-morbid conditions, weight and fitness, etc. go with us to the operating table. I would encourage for you to keep all of this in control until the big date. If you need to talk you are more than welcome to PM me.

Terry Newton

[Kathy]

Bob, That sucks! I feel like just throwing my hands up and quitting some days. But then, I get some perspective (usually from my 3 and 5 year old) and realize that this is just a phase. I pray that you and your wife will both be good as new before long.
Kathy