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

[treefrog]

Mark, happy belated anniversary to you and Diane.

It sounds like you are doing really well. Keep it up.

[mmglobal]

It's Monday night, 9pm in Straubing. I posted on Saturday that I'd hit the crossoverpoint and it seemed something like a setback. We laid pretty low on Sunday... it was a good day and the setback that I was afraid of never quite materialized.

Today was amazing, not for anything to do with me, but because of who we spent most of the day with. I've overdone and it's time to rest... I'll blast this out and retire.

After breakfast, we started the day with a walk down by the Donnau in order to scope out beer gardens for lunch with our important visitors. It's official, my height advantage over Diane is vastly improved. I wonder if I can dunk now?


I've known Alan and Ingrid for a couple of years now and his story is one of the most amazing I've ever been involved in. He spent 6 years of his life completely disabled after a long litany of spine surgeries. He could barely speak because of the effort it took and the pain it caused. They will come and tell their own story... I'm just going to post these shots so I'll continue to marvel at the transformation I was able to witness. I'll write more another time.



After a wonderful lunch, I took a break while Alan and Ingrid explored Straubing. We got back together for the obligatory iced cafe in the town square. Remember... this is good luck!





As you can see, the day was filled with smiles and laughter. This was quite a long outing, so I took another break and Diane met them at Rapunzel to pick up dinner to bring back to our room. The warm and sunny day turned breezy and chilly as we wondered if we were going to get rained out. We were treated to a light show, as the evening sky seemed to change by the second. We were even treated to a rainbow.



I'm sorry I haven't been able to keep up with everyone's posts... time on the computer is still somewhat limited. Still nothing but good news from Bavaria. I don't want everyone to think this was easy. The good recovery is still very tough, it's just nothing like the difficult ones. Whatever the few weeks after surgery are like, there is only one thing that matters - long term outcome. I still cannot unwind some of my pre-op symptoms and post surgical pain. I will not know for weeks how complete a recovery I'll have. I'm just pleased that I'm not worse and things seem to be going so well. More as I know it.

All the best,

Mark

[New-disc]

Mark,

Glad to see recovery is going well!!!

Looks like your enjoying Germany.

Keep us all posted....

Thanks for the pictures!!!

Todd

[dshobbies]

When I see you enjoying the countryside, or anyone else, I get jealous. I was in so much pain I didn't have a chance to enjoy anything but like you said, it's the long term success that matters.

Glad you're doing so well, let's keep it that way. Take it slow Mark, take it slow!

Take it easy, Dale

[Alaska]

Well Mark,

Looks like things are going well for you. I'm very happy that your surgery was successful. I just returned from a trip to Anchorage. I meet with a neurosurgeon who stated that 2 disks were herniated and pressing into the cord. He said that I needed an ADR for C6-C7, and fusion for C7-T1. Oh what fun! Yeah right…..

It's still snowing here and another low is on its way. Send some of your Germany weather my way. You will have to tell me later on what it’s like to have a doctor dig into the throat area. Is it easier than the lumbar? I see you were able to see Dr. Zeegers. If you see him again, please tell him that I said “hello”.

Looks like Diane is taking real good care of you. I’ll keep on praying for both you. Also, it’s great to see you smiling in your photos! By the way, how much taller did you get?

Eric

[Katherine0243]

Mark,

I'm so glad you are doing well! I've been thinking about you and your family a lot.

I know you have been telling me about iSpine for awhile but I'm so glad I finally created a profile and learned my way around the site. It took me awhile to find the thread about your surgery but I knew it had to be here somewhere.

For others reading this post I'm one of the clients Mark was going to take to Germany in May. Although I'm sad Mark will not be with me for my 3-level lumbar, I'm very happy he is doing so well.

Thank you Mark for all the descriptions of the recovery and pain management. It will help me (and others I hope) know more about what to expect.

Katherine

[ans]

Mark, you look relaxed, pain-free, and not drugged-out post-surgery. Great.

+ ++

Alaska! Sent you an email; good luck.

Best to all. - Allan

[Maria]

thanks again for more beautiful photos of the landside and happy people with good surgical outcomes. Am anxious to hear Alan's story!

stay well and continue to pace yourself

[treefrog]

Mark, glad to see you are able to get out and enjoy yourself a little. I am very happy that you are doing so well. Diane seems to be taking very good care of you.

Thanks for the pictures. I'm glad the weather has been nice enough for you to get outside.

Take it easy, Cathy

[SandyW]

Mark,

Pizza??? Must be nice to have a big throat! I survived the first week on gellato. Please take care of yourself, don't get too carried away!!!

Sandy

[fortitudine]

Hi Mark,

I can't believe I missed your whole adventure. Things clearly went downhill fast after our conversation. I would have been like others on the forum, on tenterhooks through the whole thing. But I am thrilled to see that you are doing so well. Thank goodness for Dr. B. And what an inspiration you are.

I hope that your pre-op symptoms will start to fade as time goes by, but in the meantime you are certainly a great role model. Let's pray that this is the LAST spine surgery ever for you! Goodness knows you can now talk as a seasoned pro; you've already walked a mile in our shoes.

All the very best for a successful recovery...and remember to take it easy!

Hugs,
Hope

[Kathy]

Mark, How tall are you? And Diane?

Just curious, as I am from a tall family. I'm 5'10" and hubby 6'2" My brothers are 6'3" and 6'4", dad is 6'2". In my family, you are short if you are female and not 5'8 or 5'9" and a short male is 6'1". I have a female cousin and she is 6'4". I don't know if our heigth comes from our German roots or not (my mom is 100% German). I had a horrible time dating, as I was very adamant on having a guy who was taller than me and taller than me in my high heels.

Glad your recovery is going good, Kathy

[mmglobal]

Kathy, I'm 6'3.5" before this surgery... maybe close to 6'4" now.

We are packing up now and will be leaving for airport soon. Last couple of days have been good, but somewhat hectic. I'll write more later... I just want everyone to know that we are on the road home. I have a mixed bag of remaining symptoms, but nothing significant that it's even worth discussing in terms of success or not... some things we won't know until all the post surgery symptoms are over. I can't believe that I can now stand steady on either foot... I was so unbalanced (physically...mental status is a whole nuther book) before the surgery... er... I couldn't stand on one foot... kind of had to sneak up on my underwear inorder to put a leg in.

Wish me luck on the flight... sitting in economy... munich, chicago, lax

More later,

Mark

[Cheryl]

Good luck on the flight!!

[dshobbies]

Mark & Diane,

Welcome home, or soon to be. Was that the shortest trip to Germany for surgery. Am I off a week or were you only there for 1 1/2 weeks? Well there's nothing like your own home, bed, bathroom and kitchen. I want to implore you one more time (maybe) take it slow!

My best, Dale

[ans]

Mark: If I get such an extensive surgery in Germany, will I get such a glow of happiness too? I'm still amazed. - ans

[Kathy]

Originally Posted by mmglobal

Kathy, I'm 6'3.5" before this surgery... maybe close to 6'4" now. I can't believe that I can now stand steady on either foot... I was so unbalanced (physically...mental status is a whole nuther book) before the surgery... er... I couldn't stand on one foot... kind of had to sneak up on my underwear inorder to put a leg in. Mark

LMAO- I always say that the trade off for being tall is an extreme lack of coordination; at least I got screwed in that department. I'm not good at sports (I played basketball in junior high and our team got our butts whooped everytime we played ). I suck at dancing, zero rhythm. I don't sing either, even my kids ask "mommy don't sing".

Last night, I was trying to put my skivies on and I go to put my left leg in, while I am holding them knee high. My leg goes completely over the top, past the leg hole and I end up with them in between my legs, one leg in front and one in the back! I am completely pathetic when it comes to coordination. If I get that after surgery, my surgeon will be a true miracle worker!

[Maria]

Mark and Diane,
Safe travels and and hope you'll be comfortable on your flight!
The weather is going to be really wonderful this weekend (today is beautiful) and I'm down here in the midst of the Grand Prix commotion hearing the race cars buzz 'round and 'round.. actually Long Beach rocks right now!

Can't wait to hear more when you're able to write more

[steve55]

Ya know, it's really strange in my case about the gain in height thing. I never even thought about it when I was there until my friend saw me in the hospital. He knows nothing about this adr surgery but the first thing he said when he saw me was "dude, you got taller!". And as we stood closer , it was funny to feel the sensation of looking dowm on him. It was so obvious, that we busted out laughing. It was hilarious to be sort of towering over him when before we were almost eye to eye. The exact same thing happened with my othet taller friend, he was so amazed that he also started laughing. He couldnt believe it. He says i had to have gained at least an inch, maybe two. Dr b said he shaved off too much bone for me to have gained significant height. But its apparent to my friends that i did. I wish i had measured my height prior to surgery so i could measure how much i gained.

[phylly]

Have a good safe trip home. Maybe you can get bulkhead seats with a little more leg room? Rest up when you get back, you'll need it.
Phylly

[kc0iet]

I hope you survived your flight home without too much agony. I am guessing you are home and in bed by now. I have been away from the boards for a few days, but I knew you were in good hands and would do well. Your films look awesome. Thanks for taking the time to keep us posted, and the fantastic pictures of Germany.

Rest well and often. Update us when you can and take care of yourself. You know that we are all praying for you.

[Gil Denis]

Hi Mark

You are home by now rest ,rest, and rest I know you want to pick up your computer and tell everyone your story we can wait, Rest and Heal

Talk soon

All the Best

Gil