Hello all,
My name is Kim and I'm new to the board. I'm writing for my husband, Dean, who has been mostly bedridden for 9 months. No specific incident that triggered his injury, after a week of snow shoveling, he almost dropped to the floor with pain one day while reaching into the fridge. He's been out of work and on heavy painkillers since. All conservative treatment methods have failed. He's been a patient of Dr. Yue, who told us Monday about Synthes decision not to allow 2 levels. So, we told the Dr. that we're ready to go see Dr. Bertagnoli overseas at this point. We have 2 beautiful baby boys, ages 4 months and 22 months, which makes going overseas logistically overwhelming, but we are ready to do what ever we have to do to get Dean there. Dr. Yue sent Dean's records overseas Monday, and told us to expect a call from his (Dr. Y's) office very soon. They said a surgery date may be as soon as the end of this month. I've been reading on this site for a couple of months and have learned SO MUCH from you all. Thank you, I can't say how much your stories help. Now that going overseas has become our reality, we could use your support and encouragement! The first thing I'd like to ask is how long is a typical stay overseas, from arrival to departure? Then, how much of that time is the patient in the hospital, and how much at a hotel afterwards? I know it varies, but any info. helps. I'll have a lot more questions, but I'll just begin there! I know about Anita the international coordinator, and I expect she'll clear a lot up, but until she and I touch base, you all could be a great help. Thanks!

hello kim
two levels should be in the hospital 6 or 7 days.
and i believe they ask for 5 to 7 days after the hospital. i had a single level and was in the hospital 5 days and we stayed in germany for a total of 20 days.
wishing your husband the best you picked the correct doctor.
chuck

Hi Kim,
Thanks for telling us how much this site has helped you.

Dr B is a great surgeon and I wish you and you family a "Good Trip" and a successful surgery for your husband
Best
Alastair http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

Welcome, Kim, and thanks for writing. Pass on our good wishes to Dean! Gute Reise!

PS: Some of the resources here may be of interest to Dean for recovery:

http://www.adrsupport.org/post_op.html

http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

Hi Kim,

Welcome to the forum! Thanks for getting us up to speed on Dean's situation. I do hope your trip is safe and that the surgery is a great success.

If you have any last minute questions or just need to talk, don't hesitate to email me or send me a private message.

Oh... please let us know how Dean is doing after surgery as we do care.

Justin

Dear Chasswen, Alastair, Harrison and Justin,
Thank you for welcoming me to the group. Dean is now reading some of the articles that were recommended and we're finding them VERY useful! Today is a very bad day for Dean, pain-wise, so I am busy taking care of the house, bills, babies, research, financial choices for surgery, etc., etc. It's a LOT to do, and a lot of stress, but I will do whatever is in my power to get Dean the care he, and anyone, deserves. Today is actually our wedding anniversary. Three years ago today we were preparing for a two-week honeymoon in Italy. Now, 3 yrs and 2 babies later, we're gearing up for a two-week+ trip to go have some surgery! Who would've ever imagined such a thing? http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif This whole 9 months of pain and misery has actually brought the two of us closer, so we know that we can now make it through ANYTHING. I will be glued to forum, I'm sure, for the next few weeks and I'm excited to get to know you all better.

Do look in the FAQ`s for preparations for your trip, and return home -- - all good stuff compiled by members here over the years
Best
Alastair http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

Don't stop reading after the surgery. We all like to hear success or not so good surgery stories and there's been quite a few discussion about what recovery should or shouldn't be like at various points in time.

I will keep posting throughout (and after) Dean's surgery, as I know the value of information shared here! http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif To anyone who has been overseas for surgery, did you bring your laptop? Do the hotels generally have internet access? And pardon me for not being technologically savy, but I have wireless DSL at home, would I use the old phone cord & dial up there? (I've never taken the laptop with me for travel.) Thanks!

kim
you can take the laptop but will need power converter and a wifi card in some hotels but is pricey. t-com partners with tmobile 18 cents per minute roaming fee. if his surgery is in bogen you can get hard wired internet in hios room for 5 euro aday. all conectors are diffent.
straubing hospital has internet stations i believe.
chuck

Thanks so much! That points me in the right direction. I'm half way there... I have a European power converter set and wifi card. I just can't imagine not being "connected" to the rest of the world. Even using an internet station somewhere would be sufficient. Thanks again!

Since both Dean and I are L4-L5 and L5-S1, and are both going to visit Dr. B, it will be interesting to see if he uses Prodisc and/or Activ-L for us....

David

david
it will be prodisc thats what dr b prefers
just before surgery i told dr b to use what he felt was best and i woke with a shinny new prodisc.
chuck

kim
i had signed with t-mobile before hand on a month to month at 39.95 a month.
dont forget portable dvdplayer and dvds. as there only two english speaking tv channels.
chuck

one needs to open or have a bank of america account for depit if used at deucte bank {sp} theres no fees and the most reasonable exchange rates.
chuck

Welcome to the board. I too went to Europe (Dr. B used to do surgery in Austria) on Dr. Yue's advice. As a matter of fact I am going to Dr. Yue Monday for my 2 year checkup. I am very happy with the results although I do have permanent nerve damage in my upper left thigh which is very painful. I also have a very good pain management doctor in New Haven, if you need him let me know and I can give you his contact information.
I am very curious as to what Dr. Yue will be saying, I had a three level with a fusion in between.
Good Luck and I am also in Connecticut and if I can help you in anyway please feel free to contact me.

Judy

You are all so very helpful! The info. you're all giving me is great. Super- I have a Bank of America account. The Romerhof... is that driving or walking distance to the hospital? (A kitchenette would be GREAT to have.) We have a lot up in the air right now in terms of plans because we have no way to get around bringing our two babies with us (ages 5 months and 22 months.) We're trying to get Dean's father or my mother to go with us to help with the babies, so I can help Dean. The baby factor is the only thing we're actually perplexed about right now. The normal planning seems much easier to figure out, since we have the experience of you all to help. I haven't read of anyone yet that's had to bring babies or children. I'd rather not even deal with renting a car if possible because I don't know what one would have to do about carseats! Judy- thanks for writing and I'd like to hear how your appt. w/ Dr. Yue goes. It's nice to meet people in your own state who have have done this and I look forward to talking with you! We're about 45 minutes from New Haven, but I used to work in New Haven as a DCF Social Worker, so I'm familiar with it a bit. And Matt- I'll be anxious to hear about everything you both go through and I'm sure I'll have some questions for you. It's already comforting to have all of you, our new friends!

Kim,
I'm another CT resident who Dr Yue sent to Dr B. I was one of the first Americans to have surgery in Bogen. Dean will go to either Bogen or Straubing. Dr B operates out of both facilities. It's only a 20-30 min car ride between the two. If at all possible I'd recommend renting a car. You'll be over there a min 3 weeks and will want to get out. Perhaps you can rent a van? And perhaps the car rental agency has car seats you can rent?
It's alot to deal with right now, but it will all work out. The people over there are wonderful. I went with my parents who are in their 80s and I'm not sure who was taking care of who...lol

Ann

Dear Ann,
Great thought about a van.. they must have carseats. We drove in Rome, so if we drove there, we can drive anywhere!! We were just told by Dean's father a few minutes ago that if my mother can't go, either Dean's father or mother WILL be able to go. That's a relief. Now we have baby coverage, Dean coverage, and enough non-injured bodies to wrangle the luggage and babies! Ok, I feel like a plan is formulating. We keep joking that we're going to be the Griswolds going overseas, like National Lampoons, and how funny is it that we live in Griswold, CT? http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

If you're wondering about getting out, don't pass up the chance to go into Munich ans see the sights. Laura and I spent a week after her L5-S1 Charite going to the, mostly, free stuff. If you bring along a small pad, you can generally find a place to sit or stretch out a bit. The mass transit system in Munich is great so you can either choose to take a train in or drive to the outskirts and take the transit system in.