FREAP CHAT ~ Everyone Welcome!

[TinkerBean]

Wouldn't the Martini Glass have been perfect...coming from us-

 

[maddhatir]

Kellie, you're in my thoughts today more than before. We'll all be waiting to hear what they find.

Nah, he can tell by the description from the MRI that you posted....it's in his line of work. I guess discs are little sacs of fluid and they can wear down as we age or depending on the type of activity we perform. It is normal 'wear and tear' for any of us. When it moves and interferes with the nerves, there are several options available, nowadays, to keep your spine healthy. In my uneducated opinion, it is yet to be seen as to how much medical care you will need. I know they have an option of 'shaving' the disc down so it does not interfere with nerves, depending upon the condition of the disc and how much it may have moved from its normal position. We'll see what options the doctor offers once they look at your MRI. The quicker you make a decision on the action to take, the better the chances of resuming normal life activities. I hope you will share what options the doctor recommends. For me, I am learning from all the rest of you what medical treatment I may have to face in my own future and I appreciate everyone sharing.

Thinking of Kellie!

I know what you mean about a quick decision! I am thinking about pushing my doc out of the way and making the decision on my own. I was looking at ortho docs, however, they may want to cut me right open, so then I was thinking about Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation- I am checking the top doc database in the Philadelphia Magazine right now.

I am not very confident in any Primary doc's opinions anyway. I know she may suggest PT- however, I would not go to a doc that she would recommend. I am too anal for that- I like to research first, I believe you should just go right to the top and not mess around with anyone in the middle!

 

[maddhatir]

So do not forget if we get this thread closed and have to move to a new home please send me a map. I do not think I could deal with losing my home away from home and part of my B$$B in the same day

How about this- when we get to page 248- we will make a new thread and post the link!

This way none us get lost in the shuffle!

Whoever sees page 248 first- just make a new thread called FREAP CHAT part 2- how is that? Not very original though

 

[mtblujeans]

Wouldn't the Martini Glass have been perfect...coming from us-

Yes, it would have been absolutely, perfectly US!

Thinking of Kellie!

I know what you mean about a quick decision! I am thinking about pushing my doc out of the way and making the decision on my own. I was looking at ortho docs, however, they may want to cut me right open, so then I was thinking about Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation- I am checking the top doc database in the Philadelphia Magazine right now.

I am not very confident in any Primary doc's opinions anyway. I know she may suggest PT- however, I would not go to a doc that she would recommend. I am too anal for that- I like to research first, I believe you should just go right to the top and not mess around with anyone in the middle!

I don't want to sound like a know-it-all, 'cause I am not, but, it might make a difference if insurance is going to play a part, financially, in your decision. They may require that you get a referral from a GP. Also, sometimes, the GP will know the success rate of the surgeons in your area and refer all their patients to the best rated one. I'll ask DH for some input tonight when I see him. I wonder what he would tell me to do if I were faced with your MRI.....I'll see what he says. The big difference, here, is he knows the ortho surgeons in our area and he knows their success rates. I'll see what he says as I don't have any more input here. I have fractured vertebra in my back before, but they didn't require surgery. I haven't experienced any disc action.....yet.

How about this- when we get to page 248- we will make a new thread and post the link!

This way none us get lost in the shuffle!

Whoever sees page 248 first- just make a new thread called FREAP CHAT part 2- how is that? Not very original though

That works!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Prayers and Kellie.

 

[maddhatir]

Yes, it would have been absolutely, perfectly US!

I don't want to sound like a know-it-all, 'cause I am not, but, it might make a difference if insurance is going to play a part, financially, in your decision. They may require that you get a referral from a GP. Also, sometimes, the GP will know the success rate of the surgeons in your area and refer all their patients to the best rated one. I'll ask DH for some input tonight when I see him. I wonder what he would tell me to do if I were faced with your MRI.....I'll see what he says. The big difference, here, is he knows the ortho surgeons in our area and he knows their success rates. I'll see what he says as I don't have any more input here. I have fractured vertebra in my back before, but they didn't require surgery. I haven't experienced any disc action.....yet.

That works!

I appreciate your input!!! I do not think you are a know it all in the least!

I called my docs office- they said they did not get the eport I faxed to them!!! Whaaaat?- I am refaxing it now. See if they call me back

I certainly would check to be sure whomever I go to takes my insurance. What stinks is- even if I went for PT my copay would be 50 bucks per visit. Crazy!...and sad..... I need to get out of this country.

I always check the "top doc" list that Philadelphia Mag prints every year for no matter what ails me- it is a list of top docs in all specialties- they are voted by their peers etc. I never ask my GP's opinion.

I am weary about "just some" specialist that is recommended- MIL had cervical spine surgery- something was wrong with a few discs or something. She was a waitress in a diner and a lot of her customers would give her their 2 cents, some of them were GPs!- a few people gave her a name of a specialist in our town.

I told her I would take her to a good spine surgeon who was affiliated with Thomas Jefferson U in Pa.and he has an office in NJ so he is close for follow ups after your surgery- He was voted one of the top docs in Cervical Spine surgery- I told her to at least get a 2nd opinion from him. NOPE- she said "I need the surgery anyway- why should I get a second opinion? Everyone at the diner says this guy is good, he is close, I am letting him do it"....so off she goes to have spine surgery w/o a 2nd opinion from anyone

It has been 4 or 5 years now- she is still in pain and in a neckbrace- he screwed up the surgery. She ended up seeing a few other doctors after that and guess where they told her to go? JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY! She went for a consult with a few of their docs and they are supposed to do the corrective surgery for her- but she keeps putting it off.

I now keep my mouth shut- I do not talk to her at all about her neck. I give her NO opinions! MIL is so stubborn when it comes to listening to her kids!- she will listen to a stranger sitting at the diner counter eating a cornbeef sandwich before she listened to us, yes, her kids who care about her!

 

[mtblujeans]

Oh, I know what you mean! A second or third opinion really is best. If she has found a surgeon that can correct the situation, she will kick herself that she didn't go to him a long time ago....I agree. Is the "top doc" list that Philadelphia Mag prints online? I would love to check that out.

I would be leary of a GP recommending PT when the disc has already become displaced....just like not using chiro for this. Maybe you should express to the GP office that you are having trouble walking and you have concerns about falling down and displacing this disc any further. Maybe then they will get you in there and look at that MRI!

Make sure you use the hand rails on stairs from now on.

 

[mtblujeans]

Well, guys, I am having lunch with girlfriends today and we are purposefully going to a place that serves alcoholic sweet stuff! I am so tired of being laid up at home and being in pain.....I am going to go into town and have some drinks!

I can't take anything that would help with my discomfort so close to the surgery but they didn't say I could drink something! I will have a sip for each and every one of you this afternoon!

 

[maddhatir]

Oh, I know what you mean! A second or third opinion really is best. If she has found a surgeon that can correct the situation, she will kick herself that she didn't go to him a long time ago....I agree. Is the "top doc" list that Philadelphia Mag prints online? I would love to check that out.

I would be leary of a GP recommending PT when the disc has already become displaced....just like not using chiro for this. Maybe you should express to the GP office that you are having trouble walking and you have concerns about falling down and displacing this disc any further. Maybe then they will get you in there and look at that MRI!

Make sure you use the hand rails on stairs from now on.

Here is the link to Philly Mag http://articles.phillymag.com/topdocs/ it seems they teamed up with someone else for 2007- they usually just do the research themselves.

My docs office just called and said that I need to see an Ortho and recommeneded one, in the dinky little town down the street! I said.....ahhhhh, no thanks- If you wouldn't mind- I would like to choose my own, maybe from the U of Penn or something. - she then gave me the name of one of the docs on the top doc list- he is from Pennsylvania Hospital in PA but has an office in my town. Art Bartolozzi- actually I think he is the doc for the Philadelphia Flyers He might be a sports dude.

I have to call and see if he takes my insurance....I am moving along......

<< hopefully this is me in a few weeks!

 

[maddhatir]

Well, guys, I am having lunch with girlfriends today and we are purposefully going to a place that serves alcoholic sweet stuff! I am so tired of being laid up at home and being in pain.....I am going to go into town and have some drinks!

I can't take anything that would help with my discomfort so close to the surgery but they didn't say I could drink something! I will have a sip for each and every one of you this afternoon!

Good for you! Have a few glasses of champagne for me!

I have to get out of here too- I have to go tot he office and pick up some work for myself!

Adios for now!

 

[pperfectmom]

Hope things are going okay for Kellie today. And I hope everyone else is pain free for the weekend.

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

Hey freaps,
I thought I would pop in and let you know I am home. Thanks for the flowers. You so did not need to do that. I send a to all of you. Things went okay. They ended up doing a little more than they thought. But all in all it was not bad. But if I ever had to go thru it again I am getting knocked out.
I was awake for it (the volume thye gave me did not work) I think I felt it all.
When they where going to close me up they asked if they could insert a chip so if they need to go back in they have a starting point. I said sure go ahead its like a dog marking his tuff. I should know by Thursday or Friday if they got everything.
Well I am going to take a pain pill or two and hopefully get some sleep. I will stop in later.
Thanks angain for the flowers they a so pretty and smell great. You are the best

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I'm so glad you are home.

Hope we hear good new soon.


Sooo, do you think you'll make the scanners beep at the grocery store?

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Oh Kellie, I 'm so glad that's over. You FELT IT??!! WTH?? I hope everything turns out ok..I was worried. Take care, let DH take care of you..

 

[mtblujeans]

Awww....Kellie! We're rootin' for 'ya! I am so glad that is over but so sorry to hear it was uncomfortable! It was so great of you to get back to us so soon....we would have worried all weekend if you weren't so strong to get back to us right away like this! I hope you can get plenty of sleep now.

I'm so glad you are home.

Hope we hear good new soon.


Sooo, do you think you'll make the scanners beep at the grocery store?

I so love our collective sense of humor!

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

I'm so glad you are home.

Hope we hear good new soon.


Sooo, do you think you'll make the scanners beep at the grocery store? [/QUOTE

I am not sure. But this is either going to get me points or a vist from the tag fairy. So hear goes.
DH John asked them when they told him about the chip if it was like lojack only called tittyjack

 

[SHAYMARAYSMOM]

The pain killers are not working. I think I will have to a drink

 

[TinkerBean]

The pain killers are not working. I think I will have to a drink

DH John asked them when they told him about the chip if it was like lojack only called tittyjack

Glad to have you back Kellie

 

[pperfectmom]

The pain killers are not working. I think I will have to a drink

A drink is ALWAYS my pain killer of choice. I'm glad to see you still have your sense of humor. Try to get some rest and pamper yourself a bit this weekend.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Hey freaps,
I thought I would pop in and let you know I am home. Thanks for the flowers. You so did not need to do that. I send a to all of you. Things went okay. They ended up doing a little more than they thought. But all in all it was not bad. But if I ever had to go thru it again I am getting knocked out.
I was awake for it (the volume thye gave me did not work) I think I felt it all.
When they where going to close me up they asked if they could insert a chip so if they need to go back in they have a starting point. I said sure go ahead its like a dog marking his tuff. I should know by Thursday or Friday if they got everything.
Well I am going to take a pain pill or two and hopefully get some sleep. I will stop in later.
Thanks angain for the flowers they a so pretty and smell great. You are the best

Will be keeping my fingers crossed for you. Tell your hubby to hang in there, it can't be easy to sit and watch someone you love go through this......again not that it's been a walk in the park for you either. You definitely have a strong personality that has helped you through this stressful time, I don't know if I could be as strong as you. I hope the sun comes out and sends away the ick that has been raining down on your home!