Surgery date - May 26

[New-disc]

Tree frog,

Spring brings you a new beginning.

Your in my prayers!!

Please keep us all posted...

Travel light

Todd

[Maria]

Cathy,
I think you are wise to go for this esp. at your age as I was that age more or less when first contemplating ADR and would have loved to been able to have the surgery with Dr.Bertagnoli. I still think that he's the person I'd want to have surgery with because of his expertise and because at this point I'm sure I'd need vertebraplasty. I may have spelled that word incorrectly tho you know what I mean...

So CONGRATS on moving forward to your new life!!!

[Justin]

Cathy, I'm so excited for you. It feels like we just spoke about this not too long ago. Your new life will be here before you know it.

Talk to you soon.

[treefrog]

Okay, so now I need to figure out all the travel.

Number 1 - I didn't know there are 2 Munich airports, which one do I fly into? Is it Franz Josef Strauss (MUC)?

Number 2 - How long does it take to fly there, I think someone mentioned 10 hrs? I just want to try and figure out, what day to put into the search box, as departure. If I want to arrive on May 22, do I put that I want to fly out on that date, or the 21st? Maybe some playing around will help me figure that one out.

Number 3 - I think I need to wait until I get the official information, to figure out when to schedule the return flight. But on the cost estimate it says an estimated 6 days in hospital. And I would like to stay the additional week after discharge.

So, yes Mark I should be flying in before the weekend. At least that is what I understand.

If my surgery is the 26, admission is the 25, the pre-op stuff is the 24. To be on the safe side I'd like to be there by the 22, just in case there are delays. But at the latest, the 23, which is Saturday.

[Kathy]

Cathy, That is great news! It won't be long and you will be on the other side. Congratulations!!!

[dshobbies]

Cathy,

Great news! I got there 2 days before my surgery. Day of arrival, check out city, next day - admission & pre-op stuff, day of -discogram and surgery. In hospital 9 days, 1 1/2 weeks in hotel, was supposed to be 4-5 days in hospital and the rest in hotel but.... Probably safe to arrive on the 24th. Earlier and you'll have some time to see the sites. Check with Dr. FM.

Leave day before arrival date, to arrive midday??? Should give you plenty of time to get your bags, drive from airport to Straubing, check into hotel, dinner and a little site seeing.

Didn't know about the 2 airports

Don't let the heebie-jeebies get to you. They'll disappear on the 26th.

Good luck to you, Dale

[runner]

ALRIGHT CATHY!!!!!

soon.

[treefrog]

Thanks for that info Dale. I definitely would like to have a day to rest, before the all day pre-op stuff on the 24th. I have heard that day can be tiring. I am hoping though, that I will have most everything done ahead of time, so that it won't be quite so time consuming.

And I know I will be wiped from the flight, so I want some extra time to rest after the flight. Which is why I'd like to arrive on the 22nd, leaving the 23rd to rest and sight-see.

And I have figured out that I need to put in the 21st as departure date, if I want to arrive in Munich on the 22nd.

I was told 6 days in hospital, then plan on staying a week after discharge. That puts us flying out around Mon. Jun 8. Kind of sucks for my boyfriend, who has to go back to work, to arrive home at the start of the work week. Because that really means we don't get home, until Tue. June 9th (despite the time difference).

I guess our flight can be rescheduled if I have difficulties, and am not ready to fly home by then. But I hope it will go according to plan.

[trkdoc714]

That's great news Cathy! The travel can be taxing so it sounds like you have a good plan in place in that respect. Your poor boyfriend on the other hand is going to be dragging for a few days after returning it sounds like. It'll be great to have him there with you. I went to Germany by myself but of the five patients in my group, I was temporarily "adopted" by the mother of one and the wife of another. They helped out a great deal but now I have to buy 2 extra Mothers Day cards.......

Aside from the regularity issue, the results of the travel strain was the worst part of my recovery so far. I hope you fare as well or better!

Good luck to you!

Bob

[Michelle Maree]

Hi Cathy,

I am new to the forum and would like to start by congratulating you on your decision to go ahead with surgery. I hope things go fantastically well for you. I have read your story and can relate to you as you seem to be in a similar position to me, coping ok on meds but limited enough for your life to be effected in important ways and wanting to be able to participate more fully in life. I am not sure still if i am a candidate for ADR but if i were i would only go to the best, as this back has to last the rest of my life. Just wish the Australian dollar wasnt so lousy. I wish you all the best and keep posting throughout your journey if you can. You may just give an Aussie gal the courage to do the same.

Michelle

[Cindylou]

Cathy, first....a big congrats on having your surgery scheduled. What a relief huh? That's a huge piece of the puzzle right there. I like your idea of arriving on the 22, to give yourself some extra time. Why not? It will be less stressful too all the way around, in case you run into any surprises.

It will be here before you know it. I had 3 lumbar levels done and I was in the hospital for 10 days. I had a few glitches which accounts for the longer stay. We were there a total of 3 weeks which was just perfect. I'm aware not everyone can make that happen, but it was well worth it for me.

Time to start making your lists and packing!

Cindylou