Surgery date - May 26

[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

[phylly]

Congratulations Cathy,
I am so happy that you have the date. You will have a month to get everything organized and ready. This is great news.
Phylly

[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

[Gil Denis]

Hi Cathy

Finally a date to a bright new future you must let me know how it goes .

take your time and find the right travel plans were here to help.

i will follow your tread for I may be not far behind you

All the best

Gil

[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

[dshobbies]

Hi Michelle,

Welcome to the forum. Perhaps you can start a new thread and tell us about yourself. I assume you have back or neck issues and you're in pain. I'm sorry for that.

BTW, the entire world's economy ain't doin too good either.

Dale

[treefrog]

Hi Michelle, thanks for writing to me on your first post. Yes, the American dollar isn't so great either. Not the best time to be paying for surgery overseas, but my back isn't cooperating. I look forward to reading more about your situation, when you get around to posting about you.

I will try to continue posting here, all through my surgery and recovery. I will start a surgery thread, when the time comes. I am hoping that my boyfriend will get on here and post for me, if I am unable to right after surgery.

A question for anyone that has used the xe.com site for sending funds over to Germany. Is it the XETrade part that you sign up on? It looks like it, they say it is for sending funds around the world, so I think that is the right section.

My boyfriend is working at his second job tonight and tomorrow night, he bar-tends part time for extra cash (which is really coming in handy for this surgery), so we will be arranging our flights and hotel on Sunday.

[Cheryl]

Congrats and best of luck.

Yes it is xetrade





Cheryl

[jessmith07]

Hey Cathy...if I can swing it with United to change my flight plans at this late date (I've had a ticket to Paris in hand for months for a vacation), I'll be joining you in Germany! Dr. Fenk-Meyer just e-mailed me that they've put me on the schedule to check-in on the 25th for surgery on the 26th!

[treefrog]

Oh, very cool Jess. I hope you are able to re-arrange your flights.

After yesterday's feeling of panic at everything that needed to be done, I am feeling strangely calm today. Maybe it's because there isn't much I can do today. And I think I am starting to believe that everything will work out all right.

I had been feeling pretty sick, with the worry of not knowing what was going to happen. Now that I have a date, and have put some things in motion, I am feeling more relaxed. I also started putting together a list of those things I need to get done.

One question I have though, is what should I ask of my PM doc, as far as medications to take with me. I mean, I'm sure that Drs. Bertagnoli and Fenk-Mayer will take care of meds that I need right after surgery, and the 6 days or so that I am in the hospital. But, I also know that some people have said they were glad of bringing whatever meds they brought. But I have been taking Opana-ER, which is not appropriate for after surgery pain. I also have oxycodone that I take occasionally, for breakthrough pain.

I will be asking her for:
lidocaine patches for around the incision
anti-nausea meds in case I need that (there aren't many pain meds that don't make me sick)
muscle relaxer
something for sleep (again, not something I normally need, but in case I need - like on the flight home)
and of course extra pain meds - oxycodone, or Opana (not ER), and I will also ask how soon after surgery I can start the Opana-ER again.

Is there anything I am forgetting? What if she asks, or says that they should be taking care of all my meds following surgery? What should I say to her then?