Re: Dr. LaGrone

[Guest guest]

Terry, I prayed for you and was so relieved to read your positive post after surgery!! This post is such a comfort. I am working on the positive attitude! I am not quite there - still stuck in a bit of a fear mode! I am dealing with a little flashback stress from 37 years ago, when I was 10 and had the treatments in Virginia for scoliosis and then Harrington rod surgery at Duke. I know the staff in Amarillo was wonderful when I went there for the visit. said he would put my name on his computer so he would pray for me when he sees it! To me, that was just so caring! How are you now? Are you driving yet? How is your pain? What about bending and lifting - did they say when you could do that? I just hope they give me some really good drugs when the plane lands so I won't fly the coop! Thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement and pray that I can get my attitude good going in there and

won't cry - and stop up my breathing. I had lost 20 pounds over the last year and have gained 8 back just stress eating in the last month! I am like a gerbil or something. I am so glad you didn't have the bruising and facial lines. My rods are so overgrown with 37 years of bone - my local doctor wanted to remove them once due to some pain I was having, and he said they were just too deep to get out safely. I have visions of them digging and sawing and pounding! I am sure their "bone digging out" equipment is top of the line there, though. O.K. There. I have really verbalized all my fears. They say something like 80% of what we worry about never happens. Maybe it is more than that. Lots of real prayer warriors are praying, and I am thankful you are one! Martha Anneterryjanney <terryjanney@...>

wrote: Martha Ann,I had surgery 5 weeks ago in Amarillo. I went there with a positive attitude and so excited to have the surgery and to get it over with. The bonus was meeting all the wonderful, loving people of Amarillo. We found them to be very friendly, God, country and military loving people. And of course, they love their state! You will also find Dr. LaGrone's staff and the nurses and rehab personal at BSA to be wonderful. I was in tears a lot because of their kindness and love. Dr. LaGrone is not only one

of the best, but so kind (he played golf with my husband one day, so very down to earth type of guy). will take good care of you. He will gently take you in his arms and hold you while they get everything readly for stage two. No creases on my face or bruises anywhere. I have never had such a positive experience from a Dr.s staff or from a hospital. When we go back in Nov. we already have lunch set up with my ot from rehab. You will be in my prayers but I know you will be fine, you are in good, loving hands!Love, Terry

Get your email and more, right on the new .com

[Guest guest]

What?

[ ] Re: Dr. LaGrone

thank you for convincing me not to go to Amarillo!!>> Martha Ann,> > I had surgery 5 weeks ago in Amarillo. I went there with a positive > attitude and so excited to have the surgery and to get it over > with. The bonus was meeting all the wonderful, loving people of > Amarillo. We found them to be very friendly, God, country and > military loving people. And of course, they love their state! You > will also find Dr. LaGrone's staff and the nurses and rehab personal > at BSA to be wonderful. I was in tears a lot because of their > kindness and love. Dr. LaGrone is not only one of the best, but so > kind (he played golf with my husband one day, so very down to earth > type of guy). will take good care of you. He will gently > take you in his arms and hold you while they get everything readly > for stage two. No creases on my face or bruises anywhere. I have > never had such a positive experience from a Dr.s staff or from a > hospital. When we go back in Nov. we already have lunch set up with > my ot from rehab. You will be in my prayers but I know you will be > fine, you are in good, loving hands!> > Love, Terry>

[Guest guest]

Martha Anne,

I am glad her words helped you so much. Hopefully they kicked down

the fear alittle too. Just take it one day at a time

sweetie...you'll be in my prayers

> Terry,

> What a wonderful testimony to the care you received in Amarillo.

> Even though I am not going there for my surgery, sure makes me

wish

> I was! (I really am quite content in my decision to go to UCSF!)

> Absolutely loved your description of everyone there:

>

> >very friendly, God, country and military loving people. And of

> course, they love their state! >

>

> and to further add:

>

> > will also find Dr. LaGrone's staff and the nurses and rehab

> personal at BSA to be wonderful. I was in tears a lot because of

> their kindness and love. >

>

> If we all could be treated that way in our hospital experiences!

And

> your saying such will undoubtedly steer patients their way! Thanks

> so much for telling us.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

no, it wasn't a typo. I had second thoughts about the post and

deleted it, but apparently it went to email anyway.

it has been my experience that too often, people who are very vocal in

their love of " God, country and military " are ethnocentric to the

point of bigotry. I tend not to get along well in such an environment

(even though I can fully understand being proud to be Texan).

I am definitely not a " my country, right or wrong " kind of a person

and I am very much anti-war. It broke my heart when my son joined the

Air Force.

I had hoped that since I had hit the delete button right away, I

wouldn't have to go there. Chalk it up to the drugs that I spoke my

mind. One of these days, I may learn how to hold my tongue (or sit on

my hands).

>

> Is this a typo?

>

> <thank you for convincing me not to go to Amarillo!!>

>

[Guest guest]

No problem,was just curious. As said before, we all have different

opinions on everything!

..... proud wife of retired MSGT. R.J. Tremberth

God Bless the USA

> >

> > Is this a typo?

> >

> > <thank you for convincing me not to go to Amarillo!!>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

SB,

How brave of you to clear that up. I was wondering if

it were a typo also. It is hard when there is so much

consensus on a subject to be the different voice

Ellen

--- SB <bahadreama@...> wrote:

> no, it wasn't a typo. I had second thoughts about

> the post and

> deleted it, but apparently it went to email anyway.

>

> it has been my experience that too often, people who

> are very vocal in

> their love of " God, country and military " are

> ethnocentric to the

> point of bigotry. I tend not to get along well in

> such an environment

> (even though I can fully understand being proud to

> be Texan).

>

> I am definitely not a " my country, right or wrong "

> kind of a person

> and I am very much anti-war. It broke my heart when

> my son joined the

> Air Force.

>

> I had hoped that since I had hit the delete button

> right away, I

> wouldn't have to go there. Chalk it up to the drugs

> that I spoke my

> mind. One of these days, I may learn how to hold my

> tongue (or sit on

> my hands).

>

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > Is this a typo?

> >

> > <thank you for convincing me not to go to

> Amarillo!!>

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Isn't that awesome! Congratulations Dr. LaGrone and BSA. Doesn't it

make you feel even better about your decision? I know it does me.

It's like a little bit of good furtune has just fallen in my lap and

I know we can all use a little of that now and then, especially now.

Thank you so much for sharing the news Theresa. You are probably

sleeping now or at least trying to sleep anyway. I read your first

post and wanted to thank you for the update and info. I also wanted

to tell you good luck again but we both know you won't need that,

what with having a " Super Doctor " and all. Sleep well and dream

positive dreams and by tomorrow at this time you will be on the other

side and in recovery mode. You are in my prayers tonight.

Tami

>

> Tami, Melinda

>

> I forgot to tell you in the last post that Dr. LaGrone has been

> recognized as one of Texas's Super Doctors for the year 2007!!!!

It's a

> pretty rigorous process to be nominated by their peers.

>

> Also the billboards around town are advertising the fact that the

U.S.

> News magazine has voted BSA as one of the top hospitals in the U.S.

>

> Kinda makes things a little nicer knowing that they are both

thought so

> highly of to receive these awards.

>

> Theresa

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Tami. I'm finishing up the laundry then going to bed. Yes,

I do feel a little better knowing that he was awarded that and the

hospital.

Theresa

> >

> > Tami, Melinda

> >

> > I forgot to tell you in the last post that Dr. LaGrone has been

> > recognized as one of Texas's Super Doctors for the year 2007!!!!

> It's a

> > pretty rigorous process to be nominated by their peers.

> >

> > Also the billboards around town are advertising the fact that the

> U.S.

> > News magazine has voted BSA as one of the top hospitals in the

U.S.

> >

> > Kinda makes things a little nicer knowing that they are both

> thought so

> > highly of to receive these awards.

> >

> > Theresa

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Best wishes to you, Ann! What are you having done in your revision? I just had surgery May 3 in NC for revision: L1 to the sacrum with bolts into the hips. Do you have a previous Harrington rod?

Peggy

[ ] Dr. LaGrone

Hi. I am new to the forum and I don't navigate arond very efficiently. I saw a message from melmalone and tried to get to the whole post but I couldn't do it. I see you are having surgery with Dr. LaG. on July 23. I am following you on July 30. I really like Dr. LaG. and and have a great deal of confidence in them. I saw them in 1999 when I went for an opinion. At thatT time I was told that eventually I would need reision surgery. When I saw them in June we discovered that my rod had broken so that pretty much made sealed things. Best of luck to you. We are in good hands. And to all whio are facing surgery, I hope things go well. If you are like me you are nervous about the magnitude of revision. Best of luck. Ann Bean

[Guest guest]

Hi Annie,

I am so sorry you are having problem with your old surgery...and also

sorry that you are having trouble navigating this site. To be honest,

it isn't the best format for this style of a forum...but its free, so

we put up with the inconvenience of .

I checked your membership selection and see that you are receiving

emails instead of reading directly from the site. ly, I think many

folks find that when the group gets busy they get way too many emails

so beware. Also, I believe there is much better functionality if you

simply read from the site directly. It helps keep all this business in

proportion. If you want to change that setting let me know and I can

help you through it.

Finding old post or information is pretty easy if you use the search

feature and a little dilgence. If you type the words " melinda " or " la

grone " in the search box you will find plenty of reading. Dr Lagrone

was one of the first surgeons to write about flatback and work toward

finding surgical solutions to the problem, so I believe you have chosen

a very quailified doctor to help you.

Being less than a month away I know you must be feeling a little

anxious. It is a nervous time. From the main site I also recommend you

go to the " Files " and " Links " section and browse through the " What to

take to the hospital " list as well as some of the recovery info. It is

easy to focus on the surgery (understandably) at the expense of being

prepared for whta comes after....which is a whole 'nother gorilla!

Do you live in the Texas area? It seems that there are more and more

folks in the group from that neck of the woods.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Peggy. Where was your surgery? My mother lives in Tarboro NC.

Yes I have a Harrington. I'm embarassed to tell you that I received

it in my first surgery in 1997. It's a long story. When I first

began to stand and walk I felt that I could not straighten up

compltetely. I ask my doc and he said my muscles needed to get

stronger. He was a kind and gentle man but he was near retirement

age, and had used the Harrinton during his practice. I think I

chose him becasue he was so understnding and I was so terrified. He

no longer practices. He was a skilled surgeon. I have the thinest,

neatest scar. I am fused from T6 to L5, and we discoverd that my

rod has broken. Dr. LaG is going to remove the old hardware and

extend the fusion from T4 to the sacrum in A/P surgery.

>

> Best wishes to you, Ann! What are you having done in your

revision? I just had surgery May 3 in NC for revision: L1 to the

sacrum with bolts into the hips. Do you have a previous Harrington

rod?

>

> Peggy

>

> [ ] Dr. LaGrone

>

>

> Hi. I am new to the forum and I don't navigate arond very

> efficiently. I saw a message from melmalone and tried to get to

the

> whole post but I couldn't do it. I see you are having surgery

with Dr.

> LaG. on July 23. I am following you on July 30. I really like

Dr.

> LaG. and and have a great deal of confidence in them. I

saw

> them in 1999 when I went for an opinion. At thatT time I was

told that

> eventually I would need reision surgery. When I saw them in June

we

> discovered that my rod had broken so that pretty much made

sealed

> things. Best of luck to you. We are in good hands. And to all

whio

> are facing surgery, I hope things go well. If you are like me

you are

> nervous about the magnitude of revision. Best of luck. Ann Bean

>

[Guest guest]

has improved the daily digest option. Now instead of posts being

on the page in the order they were received, they are grouped by

topic. It makes the conversation easier to follow. They also have

lines between the posts so it makes it easier to skip past the original

post.

[Guest guest]

Ann Bean, I'm Melinda and I am having my revision surgery with LaGrone on July 23. I'm glad you found this forum. Another member is having her surgery with LaGrone the day after mine. Where do you live? How long are you planning on staying in Amarillo? My original surgery was in 1981; also in Amarillo by another surgeon. I'm from there but currently live in Dallas. I'm starting to get nervous. Just got back from a family vacation to the beach so I'm behind on reading posts. I would love to hear from you! If needed, my personal e mail is melmalone@.... MelindaPeggy Greene <jpgunlimited@...> wrote: My surgery was in 1975 at Strong Memorial in Rochester NY. I've heard of Tarboro but not sure where it is. I'm sorry you received a Harrington in 1997 and I'm sorry to hear it has broken. Can you feel that it is broken? I still have my complete Harrington, my surgeon just attached the new hardware to it. Peggy [ ] Dr. LaGrone> > > Hi. I am new to the forum and I don't navigate arond very > efficiently. I saw a message from melmalone and tried to get to the > whole post but I couldn't do it. I see you are having surgery with Dr. > LaG. on July 23. I am following you on July 30. I really like Dr. > LaG. and and have a great deal of confidence in them. I saw > them in 1999 when I went for an opinion. At thatT time I was told that > eventually I would need reision surgery. When I saw them in June we > discovered that my rod had broken so that pretty much made sealed > things. Best of luck to you. We are in good hands. And to all whio > are facing surgery, I hope things go well. If you are like me you are > nervous about the magnitude of revision. Best of luck. Ann Bean>

Sucker-punch spam with award-winning protection. Try the free Beta.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann,

Sorry I'm so late to reply to your post. I am having revision surgery

with Dr. L on July 24th, the day after Melinda, so I wanted to welcome

you to our July Amarillo group. I'm sorry your rod broke and you are

now facing revision but I agree we are in good hands. I am flying in

from Portland, Oregon. I am definately getting more nervous as the

date gets closer.

Maybe we'll meet in Amarillo and if not, good luck to you for a

fantastic outcome.

Tami

>

> Hi. I am new to the forum and I don't navigate arond very

> efficiently. I saw a message from melmalone and tried to get to the

> whole post but I couldn't do it. I see you are having surgery with

Dr.

> LaG. on July 23. I am following you on July 30. I really like Dr.

> LaG. and and have a great deal of confidence in them. I saw

> them in 1999 when I went for an opinion. At thatT time I was told

that

> eventually I would need reision surgery. When I saw them in June we

> discovered that my rod had broken so that pretty much made sealed

> things. Best of luck to you. We are in good hands. And to all whio

> are facing surgery, I hope things go well. If you are like me you

are

> nervous about the magnitude of revision. Best of luck. Ann Bean

>

[Guest guest]

So great to her from you Tami. I will try to come and see you and

Melinda at the end of the week. I have to go to Amarillo for pre-op

on 7/26, so I will be there for a few days before my surgery. I

will be thinking of you both. I know we are all very anxoius, as is

anyone on the list preparing for surgery. Are you flying in alone?

Travel has become a concern for me. I was worried about fly8ing

after surgery because of the " bump " when the plane lands. But I'm

not sure driving (riding for me) is any better. How long are you

planning to say in Amarillo? If you would like to email me my

address is abean@.... I'll be thinking of you Ann

> >

> > Hi. I am new to the forum and I don't navigate arond very

> > efficiently. I saw a message from melmalone and tried to get to

the

> > whole post but I couldn't do it. I see you are having surgery

with

> Dr.

> > LaG. on July 23. I am following you on July 30. I really like

Dr.

> > LaG. and and have a great deal of confidence in them. I

saw

> > them in 1999 when I went for an opinion. At thatT time I was

told

> that

> > eventually I would need reision surgery. When I saw them in

June we

> > discovered that my rod had broken so that pretty much made

sealed

> > things. Best of luck to you. We are in good hands. And to all

whio

> > are facing surgery, I hope things go well. If you are like me

you

> are

> > nervous about the magnitude of revision. Best of luck. Ann Bean

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann,

I just had revision surgery with Dr. LaGrone 5 weeks ago yesterday.

We live in Houston and it was a 9 hour car drive from Houston to

Amarillo. On the trip back, we did it in two 4 1/2 hour days. It was

really tough!!!! My surgery was on Monday May, 21st and we left

Monday May 28th to come back home. If you can, you might want to stay

a few extra days there in town to tolerate the drive, if you drive. I

didn't want to stay any longer there, I just wanted to get home and

get comfortable. We stayed at the Homewood Suites which you could see

them from my room. They were about 2 miles away. They had a hot

breakfast every morning and Mon thru Thur they had dinner. After your

pre-op you should drive out to Palo Dura Canyon. It's like a mini

Grand Canyon. It's beautiful!!! It's about a 30 minute drive from the

hotel. My husband and son had their mountain bikes with us. Everyday

before the surgery, they would go out mountain biking in the canyon.

It kept them busy!

My surgery was a posterior only. It took 9 hours. I had an osteotomy

done at the L2 level, extended my fusion from S1 to S2 to include a

transitional vertabre, and also the pelvic instrumentation. I am so

straight now!!! There is still quite a bit of pain, but I am getting

in my mile walk on the treadmill and have started going out by myself

some. Yesterday I went into school (I work at an elementary school)

for a couple of hours to straighten up my office. I'm going to try to

go tomorrow to do some little things.

Let me know if I can help you any.

Theresa

[Guest guest]

Wow, that makes four of us having surgery in the last half of July!

And three of you with the exact same surgeon! How bizarre (and

wonderful) that you three found each other!

Good luck to us all

> > >

> > > Hi. I am new to the forum and I don't navigate arond very

> > > efficiently. I saw a message from melmalone and tried to get

to

> the

> > > whole post but I couldn't do it. I see you are having surgery

> with

> > Dr.

> > > LaG. on July 23. I am following you on July 30. I really

like

> Dr.

> > > LaG. and and have a great deal of confidence in them.

I

> saw

> > > them in 1999 when I went for an opinion. At thatT time I was

> told

> > that

> > > eventually I would need reision surgery. When I saw them in

> June we

> > > discovered that my rod had broken so that pretty much made

> sealed

> > > things. Best of luck to you. We are in good hands. And to

all

> whio

> > > are facing surgery, I hope things go well. If you are like me

> you

> > are

> > > nervous about the magnitude of revision. Best of luck. Ann

Bean

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ann,

I look forward to (maybe) meeting you next month even though I won't

be at my best Travel is a big concern for me but you do what you

gotta do as they say. My husband will be traveling with me and as

there are no direct flights from here to Amarillo I will be looking

forward to a nice layover in either Dallas or Houston. We will be

traveling first class on the way back which I would love if I were

coherent and out of pain!!haha Where are you from? I wish I were

close enough to drive but I think 1600 miles might be a bit far

I'm not sure how long I will be in Amarillo. I don't fly in until the

day before my surgery (red eye arriving at about 10:00am) which is

when my pre-op is. is going to call me after Melinda's surgery

to tell me they are ready to see me for my pre-op since they aren't

exactly sure when they'll be finished. I will probably stay a couple

of days after they release me or until I think I can handle the

flight. I know I'll be in a hurry to get back to my own home and

especially to see my dogs.

I'll be thinking of you too and if you want to e-mail me my address

is tamisunhotmail (DOT)

Tami

> > >

> > > Hi. I am new to the forum and I don't navigate arond very

> > > efficiently. I saw a message from melmalone and tried to get

to

> the

> > > whole post but I couldn't do it. I see you are having surgery

> with

> > Dr.

> > > LaG. on July 23. I am following you on July 30. I really like

> Dr.

> > > LaG. and and have a great deal of confidence in them. I

> saw

> > > them in 1999 when I went for an opinion. At thatT time I was

> told

> > that

> > > eventually I would need reision surgery. When I saw them in

> June we

> > > discovered that my rod had broken so that pretty much made

> sealed

> > > things. Best of luck to you. We are in good hands. And to

all

> whio

> > > are facing surgery, I hope things go well. If you are like me

> you

> > are

> > > nervous about the magnitude of revision. Best of luck. Ann

Bean

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Terry,

Oh what a few months you have had. I am so sorry to learn that your Mom

had a heart attack...I take it she is mending now? And to lose a

beloved animal is always a sad time.

Isn't it great that all this happened this year when you are better

able to handle the challenges of life? Imagine if it had been last

year, or even the year before!

I will be very excited to hear how your golf game with DrLaGrone goes.

What day is your check-up/golf game? I will put it on the calendar to

remind us all.

Take Care,

Cam