C3-4, C5-6, C6-7, T1-2 ProDisc-C Nova ADR blog

[labeng]

Mark,

It's been a few weeks since I have been on, what the hell happened? This accelerated very quickly, I know you were having on going problems but wow, I'm stunned.... I'm so sorry. You know I am only a few blocks away, let me know if I can do anything, okay?

Regards,
Larry

[runner]

Mark,

I wasn't on here for a few days and so i was surprised when you said that you were leaving in a few hours to fly to Germany.
You know, leaving on a jet plane...
I have had a few surgeries and can pass on a few tidbits. I just try to calm myself and be at peace. I am sure you will be fine and that is what you think about going into surgery is that you will be doing what you need to do and you will come out on the other side fine.
Think about those beautiful crystal rocks in Laguna Beach, if you want, anything that calms you.
I will be praying that everything goes well.

Kim

[ans]

Wow, did I ever miss this from not being online for a while!

I wish you my very best. Sending you my best thoughts and vibes of sacred places to you.

Allan

[steve55]

Good luck mark. If it makes you feel any better, my 3 level cervical ADR prodisc nova is going very well. 5 weeks post op and I continue to make improvements. I'm mostly off pain meds and sat through a movie, sat for mid afternoon lunch, 20 minutes treadmill, then another 2 hours dinner with friends at chili's, no meds and such a full day resulted in minimal discomfort. I'm very pleased so far and I'm only 5 weeks out.

Thanks for all the support you have provided for many of us here, we'll all be hoping for the best.

[Justin]

Hey Mark,

Your date is almost here. I saw your text about SAS...I'm sure you'll be there in one form or another. I'm interested to hear about the approach for T1-T2.

Anyway, I wanted to wish you the very best. Drs. Fenk-Mayer and Bertagnoli are miracle workers, as you know.

Keep us posted.

[Gil Denis]

Hi Mark

I wish you the best, keep me posted on your surgery,

Keep moving forward "Walt Disney"

take Care

Gil

[jentop]

Mark,

I'm so glad I got to talk to you before you were too relaxed tonight with that wonderful pill. If it could get me to sleep, you'll be rested for the morning. I know you may not get a chance to read this for a day or so, but the way I see it is that since I took your previous surgery date, you now have mine. So logically that can only mean that you will have the same outcome I had. The stars aligned perfectly for me. From finding you online, using your date in January and having a superlative recovery and outcome. I truly believe that they will now do the same for you. It's interesting to read your posts about how hard the decision became-it's like reading my thoughts from late last year before I committed to the date, really deja-vu. You were there for me through it all. I wish so much that I could be in Germany right now, if only to help you or Diane out in some small way. It'll just be like a dream before you know it and you'll be "on the other side of it" feeling soooo much better. You are capable of creating that reality, with just a bit of help from Dr. B,
Sweet dreams,
Jennifer

[Diane]

7am in Germany, Tuesday morning. Mark here, posting under Diane's ID.

Yesterday was pretty hectic, arriving with little sleep and heading straight for the hospital. I've been running around saying, "I'm glad it's really hurting." It's easier to head into the surgery with all the symptoms lit up and reminding me that I have few options. There is no question in my mind about needing the surgery. I have wracked my brain to think of ways to make the surgery smaller... which levels could we leave out and only do later if needed? The answer is none. So here I go with my 6-level approach and 4-levels of ProDisc-C Nova.

Bertagnoli came by and answered all of our questions. The Nova looks great and while the enhancements are significant, the function of the prosthesis is unchanged, so I don't feel like I'm test flying new equipment.

Emotionally, this has been an interesting process. You want to say the things that one should say before leaving on an uncertain journey, but it seems like saying good bye... so much is left out in the interest of keeping good karma going into the surgery. I hope to write more later, but I guess I should wait until I'm not well into the effects of the 'loopy pill' that everyone who's been through this knows about.

Wish me luck! Hopefully, I'll be back in a day or two. Diane will update when she can.

All the best,

Mark

PS... to everyone on the patient community, new and old... this has been a big part of my life since I discovered Braintalk in 2000. Thanks for all you do to help one another. YOU ROCK!

[ans]

You have more than a "good luck" wish from me. I'm glad that you were pleased and that Diane w/keep us informed. Best - Allan

[Cindylou]

Oh, Mark, I'm just glad that you are there, with your wife for support, in the good hands of Dr. Bertagnoli. We'll hold vigil, till we hear from you or Diane on the other side. God bless!

Cindylou

[Justin]

Mark, I wish you the very best. You'll be on the other side and on the road to recovery in no time. I look forward to your updates and inevitable success.