Friday, July 1, 2011
England surgical consult delayed
So I received an email from Dr. Nick Boeree's PA to set up a telephone consult a few days ago. I send my credit card information to cover the $400 fee and was scheduled to have the consult this morning at 10:30AM. So I gathered all my information, did some last minute additional research to have the info fresh in my mind, and wrote down a list of questions I wanted to be sure to cover. Unfortunately, by 10:50AM, I had still not gotten the call. As I was about to send off an email to ask what was happening, when I got a call from the PA saying that the surgeon had taken a little fall and bumped his head. They said they didn't think it was serious as he was walking and talking just fine, but wanted to get him checked to make sure. She said he might contact me yet today, and if not, they would reschedule for next week. Jo (the PA) was very apologetic and very nice on the phone. She had also sent an email in addition to calling. I guess it is just one of those random things that you can't foresee. I just hope the surgeon is OK, for his own sake and for the sake of his other patients (a lot of whom are much worse off than myself). So keep your fingers crossed for him.
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Hi Tim,
ReplyDeleteBetween Mike, Peter and yourself there's a wealth of experiences being shared on M6-L ADR's - so thank you for your contribution, it is well received!
Like Mike and Peter, you sound like a very active person, and as such I'm wondering what sort of expectations Mr Boeree will set as your new full functionality (the obvious answer is that you are obviously going to be more posturally aware) - but perhaps a pertinent question to ask Mr Boeree when you meet is if any follow-up studies have been done on the functionality and exercise habits of post ADR-ers? My unprofessional thoughts are that a motivated and compliant participant should reasonably be able to expect to return to 'normal' functioning and participation in sports (sans the stupid stuff that caused injury in the first place... obviously), but I'm curious what the 'never again' list includes.
Good luck with the consult,
GG
Hi GG,
ReplyDeleteI've done some research and found a thread that has some responses from people who have talked to various surgeons about limitations after getting an M6 (some in the thread were getting cervical discs but there were a few posts from those getting lumbar)
http://www.spinepatientsociety.org/forum/artificial-disc-replacement/m6-c-limitations-2925/
Seems like the answers are a little mixed, but many who get other types of joint replacements are told that the more careful you are, the longer your implant will last and people have to weigh this against the type of life they want to lead.
Even with this in mind, I think I would personally avoid things like bungee jumping that would put a tremendous stress on the spine, as well as activities that caused repeated hard impacts. I would also probably avoid aggressive power lifting, and the more extreme yoga poses for those that do it. But this is just me speaking for myself. It's kind of a bummer since I always wanted to bungee jump, but now think I won't get to.
I will ask him and update with the answers I get.
There is still hope! There is a US military study on arthoplasty that highlights marines/seals returning back to active duty - including parachute jumping. Probably a good idea to pass on bungie, but maybe skydiving is more for you?! :)
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