ette/mini van

[Guest guest]

Hi ette,

What is a mini van. I am looking for something that I can back my butt up to and sit down. I can't step up into a SUV and I don't want to drop down into a seat. I must admit I have not done any searching. I don't know where to start. Plus, I will need a device called Effortless steering or Zero Effort steering. Has anyone heard of this. I found a place near where I live that told me he could get the device in one to two weeks so I ordered it. It has been 4 months and he has not delivered yet. I am tired of getting the run around but don't know of another place. Any help out there?

Joyce E

Re: [ ] to ette and anyone interested in a Dr. review

Hi Kam: I'm sure your review is very helpful for those reading who are considering revision surgeons. I'm noticing that most post-revision people who post here are happy with their surgeon of choice, which is so good to hear! I encourage anyone to seek more than one opinion if possible (I had 3). I also took my time (years) before finally going forward with the surgery. This is one of the wonderful benefits of this board.......to be able to share such valuable information!

Bonnie, thanks for posting your opinion about taking care of the SI joints. I plan to buy a mini SUV sometime soon. Also using my grabber, etc.

Take care, and enjoy each day. etteadvokam <advokam@...> wrote:

ette,

So nice to read your post! I was glancing through a bunch of stuff from my hospital stay last night and saw the email you sent me. It warmed my heart to read it and also reminded me of yet another success story. I think it is very helpful for new members contemplating surgery to be aware that there are extremely qualified surgeons west of the Mississippi. While Dr. Rand is getting a lot of publicity in this group, there are several, like you, who are further down the revision road and don't post as often, with excellent outcomes. Thank you for updating us on your wonderful results with your wonderful surgeon. Please do continue to post and keep us updated on how you are doing!

And now for the review...I am so grateful I went to see Dr. LaGrone. He answered A LOT of questions for me and reassured me that this very complex surgery was worthwhile. He was excel! lent about explaining things that didn't make sense to me and helping me think through the "what if" questions that we all have.

Quite frankly, Dr. LaGrone is far better about answering questions and making you feel comfortable than Dr. Bridwell. Dr. Bridwell is really distant when you first meet him - Martha told me she thought he was shy and at first I didn't quite buy it, just thought he was very dry, but now I think she is on target. If you have questions, he'll answer them, but he won't double check to make sure he's covered everything you need to know. Mind you, in the hospital, he was much more laid back...even tried to crack a few very dry jokes...but in the office, he is very focused on business...until you show him a photo of your puppy. That knocked him off his game and got him on a tangent. Bernie, his nurse, makes up for his "man of few words" demeanor by very thoroughly answering any and all questions and she is fantas! tic about returning calls. She even reminded me to tell Dr. Bridwell that I wanted to keep my instrumentation on my last visit. When Dr. Bridwell came in the morning of my second surgery and told me that he had been up all night agonizing over what to do with my situation. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was completely serious. He cares more than a normal person would and he strives for nothing less than perfection. This, ultimately, is why I chose to go with him.

I guess what I am trying to say is that each of us is different in what we value most in a surgeon. Just like we are all different regarding what we value in a hair stylist or automobile or any other thing we "shop" for, choosing the surgeon that fits us best is an extremely personal manner. This group encouraged me to consult with more than one surgeon early on and I am so grateful for that. Not everyone may need to do this, but as someone that prefers to explore a! ll of my options before making a decision, it made a world of difference for me. While there were many things I really liked about Dr. LaGrone (especially the ease in which I could talk to him), I still felt, in my gut, that Dr. Bridwell was the right surgeon for me. Part of it was his staged approach to the operation, but most of it was his obvious focus and attention to every tiny detail. The man truly is a genius.

So, this and a few bucks will buy you a cup of overpriced coffee. Hopefully it will help someone.

kam

PhotosRing in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

[Guest guest]

Joyce,

We have two mini-vans. The older one is a Ford Windstar, which has been VERY good to us! We bought top of the line because my husband was having a problem switching from a sedan to a van. WE have never regretted this purchase. We also got $1000 back from Ford for the changes that had to be made to life my scooter into the back. In that van, we never even lost a row of seats!

This year, we also bought a new Honda touring van. Again, because he disliked having a van as our main means of locomotion, he went top of the line, hence the touring type. We have leather seats, a moon roof, and just about everything one could want. We love both our vans. Even though they are called "mini" vans, they have a lot of room, and we can carry my scooter, and even our grandchildren!

So do not think that "mini" means small. Of the two, I think that if Tom had his choice between them, he would go for the Honda. It is just SO WELL planned and put together!

I hope that this information is helpful to you! I drive either without problems, but do find the Honda a bit easier.

Love,

Carole

[Guest guest]

Hi Joyce,

I think ette said a mini-SUV...I believe that class would

encompass cars such as Surabru's Forester,Honda CRV or Pilot,Ford

Escape, and even cars like the Volvo or Ford Freestlye's(actually

more of a wagon) type car. I am thinking that you will probably have

to sit in many cars to find one that is a good match if you want to

find one that will allow you the " back and sit " method...but I am

guessing this class of cars will probably be good since they tend to

be alittle higher off the ground so there might be just the one for

you. I didn't mean that list as exhaustive...I think almost every

manufacturer is now building one of these smaller , but higher SUV

cars.

Of course you will want to sit in them and test drive too, just to

see what the visibility is like. I drive a CRV around here and it is

a pretty good match of all the family requirements but of course

since my circumstances are a little different since we bought this

car I enjoy renting cars when we travel to try out new styles. I

can't even remember what I rented last June...but I thought it was

going to be a perfect car until I drove it and realized that the

reason that it wouldn't work was that the blind spots were in

exactly the spot that I can see out of if I turn a little to look.

Test driving and tire kicking can be a fun past time if you live

near one of those " auto-miles " .

I never heard of the effortless driving...what does it do? I

wouldn't purchase anything from someone that gave me the run around

like that...is this the only source for this product...did you

search the internet? Is it something that goes on " after-market "

ordinarily? If you do think you are going to buy a new or new used

car I would make it part of the deal with the dealer that it has to

be installed prior to your purchase of the new auto.

You are the customer! Thats my $.02..Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Joyce: I am going to look at mini SUV's, not the big ones! I want something that is fuel efficient, and easy to slide my butt onto. I think it's the big SUV's that you have to step up into??! I'm going to test drive a Toyota RAV, and the Honda. I'd love to hear from anyone that can make personal recommendations. I've never heard of the effortless steering, so can't help you there. Maybe others will chime in. Enjoy your day! ette joyce edmonds <bichon4me@...> wrote: Hi ette, What is a mini van. I am looking for something that I can back my butt up to and sit down. I can't step up into a SUV and

I don't want to drop down into a seat. I must admit I have not done any searching. I don't know where to start. Plus, I will need a device called Effortless steering or Zero Effort steering. Has anyone heard of this. I found a place near where I live that told me he could get the device in one to two weeks so I ordered it. It has been 4 months and he has not delivered yet. I am tired of getting the run around but don't know of another place. Any help out there? Joyce E Re: [ ] to ette and anyone interested in a Dr. review Hi Kam: I'm sure your review is very helpful for those reading who are considering revision surgeons. I'm noticing that most post-revision people who post here are happy with their surgeon of choice, which is so good to hear! I encourage anyone to seek more than one opinion if possible (I had 3). I also took my time (years) before finally going forward with the surgery. This is one of the wonderful benefits of this board.......to be able to share such valuable information! Bonnie, thanks for posting your opinion about taking care of the SI joints. I plan

to buy a mini SUV sometime soon. Also using my grabber, etc. Take care, and enjoy each day. etteadvokam <advokam@...> wrote: ette, So nice to read your post! I was glancing through a bunch of stuff from my hospital stay last night and saw the email you sent me. It warmed my heart to read it and also reminded me of yet another success story. I think it is very helpful for new members contemplating surgery to be aware that there are extremely qualified surgeons west of the Mississippi. While Dr. Rand is getting a lot of publicity in this group, there are several, like you, who are further down the revision road and don't post as often, with excellent outcomes. Thank you for updating us on your wonderful results with

your wonderful surgeon. Please do continue to post and keep us updated on how you are doing! And now for the review...I am so grateful I went to see Dr. LaGrone. He answered A LOT of questions for me and reassured me that this very complex surgery was worthwhile. He was excel! lent about explaining things that didn't make sense to me and helping me think through the "what if" questions that we all have. Quite frankly, Dr. LaGrone is far better about answering questions and making you feel comfortable than Dr. Bridwell. Dr. Bridwell is really distant when you first meet him - Martha told me she thought he was shy and at first I didn't quite buy it, just thought he was very dry, but now I think she is on target. If you have questions, he'll answer them, but he won't double check to make sure he's covered everything you need to know. Mind you, in the hospital, he was much more laid

back...even tried to crack a few very dry jokes...but in the office, he is very focused on business...until you show him a photo of your puppy. That knocked him off his game and got him on a tangent. Bernie, his nurse, makes up for his "man of few words" demeanor by very thoroughly answering any and all questions and she is fantas! tic about returning calls. She even reminded me to tell Dr. Bridwell that I wanted to keep my instrumentation on my last visit. When Dr. Bridwell came in the morning of my second surgery and told me that he had been up all night agonizing over what to do with my situation. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was completely serious. He cares more than a normal person would and he strives for nothing less than perfection. This, ultimately, is why I chose to go with him. I guess what I am trying to say is that each of us is different in what we value most in a surgeon. Just like we are all different

regarding what we value in a hair stylist or automobile or any other thing we "shop" for, choosing the surgeon that fits us best is an extremely personal manner. This group encouraged me to consult with more than one surgeon early on and I am so grateful for that. Not everyone may need to do this, but as someone that prefers to explore a! ll of my options before making a decision, it made a world of difference for me. While there were many things I really liked about Dr. LaGrone (especially the ease in which I could talk to him), I still felt, in my gut, that Dr. Bridwell was the right surgeon for me. Part of it was his staged approach to the operation, but most of it was his obvious focus and attention to every tiny detail. The man truly is a genius. So, this and a few bucks will buy you a cup of overpriced coffee. Hopefully it will help someone. kam PhotosRing in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam!

We bought a 2005 Honda Tourister this year, after really studying what was available to cart around my "cart" scooter.

Turns out that the Tourister, which is really top of the line has a feature that kicks in while we are "on the road" which tells us what kind of mileage we are currently getting. It is just unbelievable! If anything about a van has ever turned on my husband, this is it! During a trip to the Cape, etc., it tells him that we are getting mileage like 40mph! Must I explain how my engineer husband feels about that? We really are happy with this van! We also have a Ford Windstar '98 which we are very fond of. But, I think that the Honda has him totally won over! There is so much to it -- I can't begin to list all of the comforts it affords. We just love it!

That is about it for now,

Carole M.

[Guest guest]

I haven’t driven yet since my

surgery, but we have a Honda Pilot that we bought in the Fall of 2004 (it is a

2005) and I can get in and out of the passenger seat fine without bending.

Lorrie

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of paulette poirier

Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2006

1:56 PM

Subject: Re: [ ]

ette/mini van

Hi Joyce: I am going to look at mini SUV's, not the big

ones! I want something that is fuel efficient, and easy to slide my butt

onto. I think it's the big SUV's that you have to step up into??!

I'm going to test drive a Toyota RAV, and the Honda. I'd love to hear

from anyone that can make personal recommendations. I've never heard of

the effortless steering, so can't help you there. Maybe others will chime

in. Enjoy your day! ette

joyce edmonds

<bichon4me@...> wrote:

Hi ette,

What is a mini van. I am looking for something that I

can back my butt up to and sit down. I can't step up into a SUV and I

don't want to drop down into a seat. I must admit I have not done any

searching. I don't know where to start. Plus, I will need a device

called Effortless steering or Zero Effort steering. Has anyone heard of

this. I found a place near where I live that told me he could get the

device in one to two weeks so I ordered it. It has been 4 months and he

has not delivered yet. I am tired of getting the run around but don't

know of another place. Any help out there?

Joyce E

Re:

[ ] to ette and anyone interested in a Dr. review

Hi Kam: I'm sure your review is very helpful for those reading

who are considering revision surgeons. I'm noticing that most

post-revision people who post here are happy with their surgeon of choice,

which is so good to hear! I encourage anyone to seek more than one

opinion if possible (I had 3). I also took my time (years) before finally

going forward with the surgery. This is one of the wonderful benefits of

this board.......to be able to share such valuable information!

Bonnie, thanks for posting your opinion about taking care of the SI

joints. I plan to buy a mini SUV sometime soon. Also using my

grabber, etc.

Take care, and enjoy each day. ette

advokam

<advokam@...> wrote:

ette,

So nice to read your post! I was glancing

through a bunch of stuff from my hospital stay last night and saw the email you

sent me. It warmed my heart to read it and also reminded me of yet another

success story. I think it is very helpful for new members contemplating surgery

to be aware that there are extremely qualified surgeons west of the Mississippi. While Dr.

Rand is getting a lot of publicity in this group, there are several, like you,

who are further down the revision road and don't post as often, with excellent

outcomes. Thank you for updating us on your wonderful results with your

wonderful surgeon. Please do continue to post and keep us updated on how you

are doing!

And now for the review...

I am so grateful I went to see Dr. LaGrone. He answered A LOT of questions for

me and reassured me that this very complex surgery was worthwhile. He was

excel! lent about explaining things that didn't make sense to me and helping me

think through the " what if " questions that we all have.

Quite frankly, Dr. LaGrone is far better about

answering questions and making you feel comfortable than Dr. Bridwell. Dr.

Bridwell is really distant when you first meet him - Martha told me she thought

he was shy and at first I didn't quite buy it, just thought he was very dry,

but now I think she is on target. If you have questions, he'll answer them, but

he won't double check to make sure he's covered everything you need to know.

Mind you, in the hospital, he was much more laid back...even tried to crack a

few very dry jokes...but in the office, he is very focused on business...until

you show him a photo of your puppy. That knocked him off his game and got him

on a tangent. Bernie, his nurse, makes up for his " man of few words "

demeanor by very thoroughly answering any and all questions and she is fantas!

tic about returning calls. She even reminded me to tell Dr. Bridwell that I

wanted to keep my instrumentation on my last visit. When Dr. Bridwell came in

the morning of my second surgery and told me that he had been up all night

agonizing over what to do with my situation. There was no doubt in anyone's

mind that he was completely serious. He cares more than a normal person would

and he strives for nothing less than perfection. This, ultimately, is why I

chose to go with him.

I guess what I am trying to say is that each of

us is different in what we value most in a surgeon. Just like we are all

different regarding what we value in a hair stylist or automobile or any other

thing we " shop " for, choosing the surgeon that fits us best is an

extremely personal manner. This group encouraged me to consult with more than

one surgeon early on and I am so grateful for that. Not everyone may need to do

this, but as someone that prefers to explore a! ll of my options before making

a decision, it made a world of difference for me. While there were many things

I really liked about Dr. LaGrone (especially the ease in which I could talk to

him), I still felt, in my gut, that Dr. Bridwell was the right surgeon for me.

Part of it was his staged approach to the operation, but most of it was his

obvious focus and attention to every tiny detail. The man truly is a genius.

So, this and a few bucks will buy you a cup of

overpriced coffee. Hopefully it will help someone.

kam

Photos

Ring in the New Year with Photo

Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

[Guest guest]

Cam,

You are exactly right! It is an Odessy Tourister! It is really top of the line, and well worth it, as far as we are concerned. Also, since I had to add a lift for my scooter, they will allow a $1000 rebate, once they get all the paperwork. It really is a pretty good deal. And, since we got a white one (we feel they show less road dirt) we have attracted all sorts of attention. We really do think it is a well designed vehicle, and the company understands the challenges of the disabled!

Sincerely,

Carole

[Guest guest]

Hi, all.

I also have a Honda CR-V, and it is very easy to get in and out. I'm not sure if I can exactly back up and sit (I'll have to try it next time), but it's way easier than a sedan. I admit I didn't shop around much. I knew I wanted a Honda since our old vehicles were a Honda and an Acura, and we have a good mechanic who used to work for Honda and only services Hondas and Acuras. I shopped online and the CR-V looked like a good vehicle. So far (since last May) I'm very happy with it. It's a '98 model, and it works pretty hard on the hills, but the person I bought it from had bought an '05 CR-V to replace it, and says the newer vehicle's slightly larger engine doesn't get quite as good gas mileage, so it's a trade-off. I believe the Pilot is a tad larger, though not as big as most American-made SUVs. There's also the Element, which is quirky-looking but appears practical. It's made to go camping in, with seats that fold down into beds and doors that open up really wide. That might be good for getting in and out. And that's just Hondas.

Good luck with your searches, Joyce & ette.

Sharon

Re: [ ] to ette and anyone interested in a Dr. review

Hi Kam: I'm sure your review is very helpful for those reading who are considering revision surgeons. I'm noticing that most post-revision people who post here are happy with their surgeon of choice, which is so good to hear! I encourage anyone to seek more than one opinion if possible (I had 3). I also took my time (years) before finally going forward with the surgery. This is one of the wonderful benefits of this board.......to be able to share such valuable information!

Bonnie, thanks for posting your opinion about taking care of the SI joints. I plan to buy a mini SUV sometime soon. Also using my grabber, etc.

Take care, and enjoy each day. etteadvokam <advokam@...> wrote:

ette,

So nice to read your post! I was glancing through a bunch of stuff from my hospital stay last night and saw the email you sent me. It warmed my heart to read it and also reminded me of yet another success story. I think it is very helpful for new members contemplating surgery to be aware that there are extremely qualified surgeons west of the Mississippi. While Dr. Rand is getting a lot of publicity in this group, there are several, like you, who are further down the revision road and don't post as often, with excellent outcomes. Thank you for updating us on your wonderful results with your wonderful surgeon. Please do continue to post and keep us updated on how you are doing!

And now for the review...I am so grateful I went to see Dr. LaGrone. He answered A LOT of questions for me and reassured me that this very complex surgery was worthwhile. He was excel! lent about explaining things that didn't make sense to me and helping me think through the "what if" questions that we all have.

Quite frankly, Dr. LaGrone is far better about answering questions and making you feel comfortable than Dr. Bridwell. Dr. Bridwell is really distant when you first meet him - Martha told me she thought he was shy and at first I didn't quite buy it, just thought he was very dry, but now I think she is on target. If you have questions, he'll answer them, but he won't double check to make sure he's covered everything you need to know. Mind you, in the hospital, he was much more laid back...even tried to crack a few very dry jokes...but in the office, he is very focused on business...until you show him a photo of your puppy. That knocked him off his game and got him on a tangent. Bernie, his nurse, makes up for his "man of few words" demeanor by very thoroughly answering any and all questions and she is fantas! tic about returning calls. She even reminded me to tell Dr. Bridwell that I wanted to keep my instrumentation on my last visit. When Dr. Bridwell came in the morning of my second surgery and told me that he had been up all night agonizing over what to do with my situation. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was completely serious. He cares more than a normal person would and he strives for nothing less than perfection. This, ultimately, is why I chose to go with him.

I guess what I am trying to say is that each of us is different in what we value most in a surgeon. Just like we are all different regarding what we value in a hair stylist or automobile or any other thing we "shop" for, choosing the surgeon that fits us best is an extremely personal manner. This group encouraged me to consult with more than one surgeon early on and I am so grateful for that. Not everyone may need to do this, but as someone that prefers to explore a! ll of my options before making a decision, it made a world of difference for me. While there were many things I really liked about Dr. LaGrone (especially the ease in which I could talk to him), I still felt, in my gut, that Dr. Bridwell was the right surgeon for me. Part of it was his staged approach to the operation, but most of it was his obvious focus and attention to every tiny detail. The man truly is a genius.

So, this and a few bucks will buy you a cup of overpriced coffee. Hopefully it will help someone.

kam

PhotosRing in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

[Guest guest]

ette & Joyce,

I don't know how tall you are...but the feature that I have liked in

the CRV (which we bought long before we knew what was ahead with my

back) has a fairly " tall " opening for the door...so after I go to

sit I don't have to be overly carful to clear the door. I would say

that has also been true for most of the SUV's, mini or otherwise I

have seen. My sister in law drives the Pilot and I can get in and

out fine. Conversely...even though the seats are usually high in

mini-vans...I find usually is awkward to get my head in easily.

The one thing on my " must have feature list " are leather seats...not

because I love the smell of leather (reminds me of those horseback

riding days I guess)...but since my ability to turn and look for

parking or lane change or whatever is so limited I figure this would

aide in being able to safely and quickly rotate my hips so as to

look behind me.

I also have a 98 model with the smaller engine...it is gas efficient

but a dog on the hills. Luckily we re flatlanders and are only

annoyed by this once or twice a year when we go on vacation. I also

heard the new models have a snappier engine....they are Hondas....so

your gas milage probably wouldn't be too great even with a newer

one. My dilema now is we have so few miles on the car since the

island is so small (44K in 7 years!) the car should go another 100K

miles easily....should I have a new leather interior put in this one

or trade up? HHmmmmm.

I would also take a look at the Element...depending on your

needs..it looks like it would be very accessible for us stiffer

types. It is very popular around here and folks seem to love it. I

am not sure if it is AWD (which, by the way, I LOVE in the snow) so

that might be a consideration. It is also pretty affordable I

believe.

There are great websites available to help you sort through some of

the size questions to narrow your choices...and the manufacturers

websites halp also...but a site like vehix.com will allow you to put

two competitiors side by side for comparison.

Good luck with the tire kicking. Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Carole,

I just went on the Honda site and I can't find anything called a

Tourister...I see the Element and the Odessy wagon...is it a variant

of one of those or is it something you imported?

Thanks,

Cam

Now searching for the perfect post-revision auto

[Guest guest]

I'm sure some of you were wondering just how long it would take me to chime in here. I drive a 2003 Subaru Forester (bought it one year ago December 29th) and I have zero complaints. I did forgo the moonroof as there were not any 2003s available when we were shopping (people buy these vehicles and never give them up) and I got tired of waiting. But, I still love the vehicle. It is all wheel drive (AWD), gets great gas mileage for its class, and is so easy to get in and out of - even three weeks after surgery. Many extra tall passengers have commented on how nice the head room is as well. One of the things that sold me on it in the first place was the huge windows. The first time I drove it, I almost felt like I was in Wonder Woman's invisible plane! The blind spots are minimal and this will be a super feature now.Below is a link to the Subaru website and I would encourage anyone who is car shopping to check out the B9 Tribeca, which is Subaru's newest model. If you need to tote more than four passengers, this one will do the trick. Heck, if we ever break down and decide we need more than one vehicle, I will definitely have to look into this one (it'll be a few years, though).http://www.subaru.com/The Element also caught my eye, but when we were looking, they were still a little too new for my taste. I prefer to drive something that's been out a few years and has the kinks worked out...one of my rare cautious quirks. I also tend to read EVERY review I can get my hands on. I researched the Subaru for three years before actually purchasing one. The payoff, a vehicle that's paid for and no regrets!kam

[Guest guest]

Thanks ette,

Please read the post I sent to Cam about the Effortless steering. Let me know if you find something you think I should check out while you are car hunting.

Joyce E

Re: [ ] to ette and anyone interested in a Dr. review

Hi Kam: I'm sure your review is very helpful for those reading who are considering revision surgeons. I'm noticing that most post-revision people who post here are happy with their surgeon of choice, which is so good to hear! I encourage anyone to seek more than one opinion if possible (I had 3). I also took my time (years) before finally going forward with the surgery. This is one of the wonderful benefits of this board.......to be able to share such valuable information!

Bonnie, thanks for posting your opinion about taking care of the SI joints. I plan to buy a mini SUV sometime soon. Also using my grabber, etc.

Take care, and enjoy each day. etteadvokam <advokam@...> wrote:

ette,

So nice to read your post! I was glancing through a bunch of stuff from my hospital stay last night and saw the email you sent me. It warmed my heart to read it and also reminded me of yet another success story. I think it is very helpful for new members contemplating surgery to be aware that there are extremely qualified surgeons west of the Mississippi. While Dr. Rand is getting a lot of publicity in this group, there are several, like you, who are further down the revision road and don't post as often, with excellent outcomes. Thank you for updating us on your wonderful results with your wonderful surgeon. Please do continue to post and keep us updated on how you are doing!

And now for the review...I am so grateful I went to see Dr. LaGrone. He answered A LOT of questions for me and reassured me that this very complex surgery was worthwhile. He was excel! lent about explaining things that didn't make sense to me and helping me think through the "what if" questions that we all have.

Quite frankly, Dr. LaGrone is far better about answering questions and making you feel comfortable than Dr. Bridwell. Dr. Bridwell is really distant when you first meet him - Martha told me she thought he was shy and at first I didn't quite buy it, just thought he was very dry, but now I think she is on target. If you have questions, he'll answer them, but he won't double check to make sure he's covered everything you need to know. Mind you, in the hospital, he was much more laid back...even tried to crack a few very dry jokes...but in the office, he is very focused on business...until you show him a photo of your puppy. That knocked him off his game and got him on a tangent. Bernie, his nurse, makes up for his "man of few words" demeanor by very thoroughly answering any and all questions and she is fantas! tic about returning calls. She even reminded me to tell Dr. Bridwell that I wanted to keep my instrumentation on my last visit. When Dr. Bridwell came in the morning of my second surgery and told me that he had been up all night agonizing over what to do with my situation. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was completely serious. He cares more than a normal person would and he strives for nothing less than perfection. This, ultimately, is why I chose to go with him.

I guess what I am trying to say is that each of us is different in what we value most in a surgeon. Just like we are all different regarding what we value in a hair stylist or automobile or any other thing we "shop" for, choosing the surgeon that fits us best is an extremely personal manner. This group encouraged me to consult with more than one surgeon early on and I am so grateful for that. Not everyone may need to do this, but as someone that prefers to explore a! ll of my options before making a decision, it made a world of difference for me. While there were many things I really liked about Dr. LaGrone (especially the ease in which I could talk to him), I still felt, in my gut, that Dr. Bridwell was the right surgeon for me. Part of it was his staged approach to the operation, but most of it was his obvious focus and attention to every tiny detail. The man truly is a genius.

So, this and a few bucks will buy you a cup of overpriced coffee. Hopefully it will help someone.

kam

PhotosRing in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

[Guest guest]

Thanks Lorrie. I will add this to my list

Joyce E

Re: [ ] to ette and anyone interested in a Dr. review

Hi Kam: I'm sure your review is very helpful for those reading who are considering revision surgeons. I'm noticing that most post-revision people who post here are happy with their surgeon of choice, which is so good to hear! I encourage anyone to seek more than one opinion if possible (I had 3). I also took my time (years) before finally going forward with the surgery. This is one of the wonderful benefits of this board.......to be able to share such valuable information!

Bonnie, thanks for posting your opinion about taking care of the SI joints. I plan to buy a mini SUV sometime soon. Also using my grabber, etc.

Take care, and enjoy each day. etteadvokam <advokam@...> wrote:

ette,

So nice to read your post! I was glancing through a bunch of stuff from my hospital stay last night and saw the email you sent me. It warmed my heart to read it and also reminded me of yet another success story. I think it is very helpful for new members contemplating surgery to be aware that there are extremely qualified surgeons west of the Mississippi. While Dr. Rand is getting a lot of publicity in this group, there are several, like you, who are further down the revision road and don't post as often, with excellent outcomes. Thank you for updating us on your wonderful results with your wonderful surgeon. Please do continue to post and keep us updated on how you are doing!

And now for the review...I am so grateful I went to see Dr. LaGrone. He answered A LOT of questions for me and reassured me that this very complex surgery was worthwhile. He was excel! lent about explaining things that didn't make sense to me and helping me think through the "what if" questions that we all have.

Quite frankly, Dr. LaGrone is far better about answering questions and making you feel comfortable than Dr. Bridwell. Dr. Bridwell is really distant when you first meet him - Martha told me she thought he was shy and at first I didn't quite buy it, just thought he was very dry, but now I think she is on target. If you have questions, he'll answer them, but he won't double check to make sure he's covered everything you need to know. Mind you, in the hospital, he was much more laid back...even tried to crack a few very dry jokes...but in the office, he is very focused on business...until you show him a photo of your puppy. That knocked him off his game and got him on a tangent. Bernie, his nurse, makes up for his "man of few words" demeanor by very thoroughly answering any and all questions and she is fantas! tic about returning calls. She even reminded me to tell Dr. Bridwell that I wanted to keep my instrumentation on my last visit. When Dr. Bridwell came in the morning of my second surgery and told me that he had been up all night agonizing over what to do with my situation. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was completely serious. He cares more than a normal person would and he strives for nothing less than perfection. This, ultimately, is why I chose to go with him.

I guess what I am trying to say is that each of us is different in what we value most in a surgeon. Just like we are all different regarding what we value in a hair stylist or automobile or any other thing we "shop" for, choosing the surgeon that fits us best is an extremely personal manner. This group encouraged me to consult with more than one surgeon early on and I am so grateful for that. Not everyone may need to do this, but as someone that prefers to explore a! ll of my options before making a decision, it made a world of difference for me. While there were many things I really liked about Dr. LaGrone (especially the ease in which I could talk to him), I still felt, in my gut, that Dr. Bridwell was the right surgeon for me. Part of it was his staged approach to the operation, but most of it was his obvious focus and attention to every tiny detail. The man truly is a genius.

So, this and a few bucks will buy you a cup of overpriced coffee. Hopefully it will help someone.

kam

PhotosRing in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sharon for your input on vehicles.

Joyce E

Re: [ ] to ette and anyone interested in a Dr. review

Hi Kam: I'm sure your review is very helpful for those reading who are considering revision surgeons. I'm noticing that most post-revision people who post here are happy with their surgeon of choice, which is so good to hear! I encourage anyone to seek more than one opinion if possible (I had 3). I also took my time (years) before finally going forward with the surgery. This is one of the wonderful benefits of this board.......to be able to share such valuable information!

Bonnie, thanks for posting your opinion about taking care of the SI joints. I plan to buy a mini SUV sometime soon. Also using my grabber, etc.

Take care, and enjoy each day. etteadvokam <advokam@...> wrote:

ette,

So nice to read your post! I was glancing through a bunch of stuff from my hospital stay last night and saw the email you sent me. It warmed my heart to read it and also reminded me of yet another success story. I think it is very helpful for new members contemplating surgery to be aware that there are extremely qualified surgeons west of the Mississippi. While Dr. Rand is getting a lot of publicity in this group, there are several, like you, who are further down the revision road and don't post as often, with excellent outcomes. Thank you for updating us on your wonderful results with your wonderful surgeon. Please do continue to post and keep us updated on how you are doing!

And now for the review...I am so grateful I went to see Dr. LaGrone. He answered A LOT of questions for me and reassured me that this very complex surgery was worthwhile. He was excel! lent about explaining things that didn't make sense to me and helping me think through the "what if" questions that we all have.

Quite frankly, Dr. LaGrone is far better about answering questions and making you feel comfortable than Dr. Bridwell. Dr. Bridwell is really distant when you first meet him - Martha told me she thought he was shy and at first I didn't quite buy it, just thought he was very dry, but now I think she is on target. If you have questions, he'll answer them, but he won't double check to make sure he's covered everything you need to know. Mind you, in the hospital, he was much more laid back...even tried to crack a few very dry jokes...but in the office, he is very focused on business...until you show him a photo of your puppy. That knocked him off his game and got him on a tangent. Bernie, his nurse, makes up for his "man of few words" demeanor by very thoroughly answering any and all questions and she is fantas! tic about returning calls. She even reminded me to tell Dr. Bridwell that I wanted to keep my instrumentation on my last visit. When Dr. Bridwell came in the morning of my second surgery and told me that he had been up all night agonizing over what to do with my situation. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was completely serious. He cares more than a normal person would and he strives for nothing less than perfection. This, ultimately, is why I chose to go with him.

I guess what I am trying to say is that each of us is different in what we value most in a surgeon. Just like we are all different regarding what we value in a hair stylist or automobile or any other thing we "shop" for, choosing the surgeon that fits us best is an extremely personal manner. This group encouraged me to consult with more than one surgeon early on and I am so grateful for that. Not everyone may need to do this, but as someone that prefers to explore a! ll of my options before making a decision, it made a world of difference for me. While there were many things I really liked about Dr. LaGrone (especially the ease in which I could talk to him), I still felt, in my gut, that Dr. Bridwell was the right surgeon for me. Part of it was his staged approach to the operation, but most of it was his obvious focus and attention to every tiny detail. The man truly is a genius.

So, this and a few bucks will buy you a cup of overpriced coffee. Hopefully it will help someone.

kam

PhotosRing in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

[Guest guest]

Thank you to everyone who gave me good suggestions to check out in the motor vehicle department. Also, thank you Cam for the vehix web site. I will check it out tomorrow.

Joyce E

[ ] Re: ette/mini van

ette & Joyce,I don't know how tall you are...but the feature that I have liked in the CRV (which we bought long before we knew what was ahead with my back) has a fairly "tall" opening for the door...so after I go to sit I don't have to be overly carful to clear the door. I would say that has also been true for most of the SUV's, mini or otherwise I have seen. My sister in law drives the Pilot and I can get in and out fine. Conversely...even though the seats are usually high in mini-vans...I find usually is awkward to get my head in easily.The one thing on my "must have feature list" are leather seats...not because I love the smell of leather (reminds me of those horseback riding days I guess)...but since my ability to turn and look for parking or lane change or whatever is so limited I figure this would aide in being able to safely and quickly rotate my hips so as to look behind me.I also have a 98 model with the smaller engine...it is gas efficient but a dog on the hills. Luckily we re flatlanders and are only annoyed by this once or twice a year when we go on vacation. I also heard the new models have a snappier engine....they are Hondas....so your gas milage probably wouldn't be too great even with a newer one. My dilema now is we have so few miles on the car since the island is so small (44K in 7 years!) the car should go another 100K miles easily....should I have a new leather interior put in this one or trade up? HHmmmmm.I would also take a look at the Element...depending on your needs..it looks like it would be very accessible for us stiffer types. It is very popular around here and folks seem to love it. I am not sure if it is AWD (which, by the way, I LOVE in the snow) so that might be a consideration. It is also pretty affordable I believe.There are great websites available to help you sort through some of the size questions to narrow your choices...and the manufacturers websites halp also...but a site like vehix.com will allow you to put two competitiors side by side for comparison.Good luck with the tire kicking. Cam

[Guest guest]

I have a full-size Ford van, so I can transport my brother and his power-chair. I will say that I have also asked other owners what they thought of their mini-SUV/vans and have asked if I could test sit in their vehicle (on the driver's side). I have noticed that some vehicles have a shorter door frame than others, even though the seat height from the ground may be the same. Thus, I don't have the head clearance for getting in and out of the vehicle and have bumped my head (and I'm not that tall to begin with!).

So my advise is to do your research and, once you have narrowed your choices, go try them out (like how easy is it to get in and out of the various seat arrangements). I believe it was a Toyota that I was surprised about the head clearance, though I could be wrong. It was a case of looks being deceiving.

Llweyn

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of paulette poirierSent: January 8, 2006 10:56 AM Subject: Re: [ ] ette/mini van

Hi Joyce: I am going to look at mini SUV's, not the big ones! I want something that is fuel efficient, and easy to slide my butt onto. I think it's the big SUV's that you have to step up into??! I'm going to test drive a Toyota RAV, and the Honda. I'd love to hear from anyone that can make personal recommendations. I've never heard of the effortless steering, so can't help you there. Maybe others will chime in. Enjoy your day! ette

joyce edmonds <bichon4me@...> wrote:

Hi ette,

What is a mini van. I am looking for something that I can back my butt up to and sit down. I can't step up into a SUV and I don't want to drop down into a seat. I must admit I have not done any searching. I don't know where to start. Plus, I will need a device called Effortless steering or Zero Effort steering. Has anyone heard of this. I found a place near where I live that told me he could get the device in one to two weeks so I ordered it. It has been 4 months and he has not delivered yet. I am tired of getting the run around but don't know of another place. Any help out there?

Joyce E

Re: [ ] to ette and anyone interested in a Dr. review

Hi Kam: I'm sure your review is very helpful for those reading who are considering revision surgeons. I'm noticing that most post-revision people who post here are happy with their surgeon of choice, which is so good to hear! I encourage anyone to seek more than one opinion if possible (I had 3). I also took my time (years) before finally going forward with the surgery. This is one of the wonderful benefits of this board.......to be able to share such valuable information!

Bonnie, thanks for posting your opinion about taking care of the SI joints. I plan to buy a mini SUV sometime soon. Also using my grabber, etc.

Take care, and enjoy each day. etteadvokam <advokam@...> wrote:

ette,

So nice to read your post! I was glancing through a bunch of stuff from my hospital stay last night and saw the email you sent me. It warmed my heart to read it and also reminded me of yet another success story. I think it is very helpful for new members contemplating surgery to be aware that there are extremely qualified surgeons west of the Mississippi. While Dr. Rand is getting a lot of publicity in this group, there are several, like you, who are further down the revision road and don't post as often, with excellent outcomes. Thank you for updating us on your wonderful results with your wonderful surgeon. Please do continue to post and keep us updated on how you are doing!

And now for the review...I am so grateful I went to see Dr. LaGrone. He answered A LOT of questions for me and reassured me that this very complex surgery was worthwhile. He was excel! lent about explaining things that didn't make sense to me and helping me think through the "what if" questions that we all have.

Quite frankly, Dr. LaGrone is far better about answering questions and making you feel comfortable than Dr. Bridwell. Dr. Bridwell is really distant when you first meet him - Martha told me she thought he was shy and at first I didn't quite buy it, just thought he was very dry, but now I think she is on target. If you have questions, he'll answer them, but he won't double check to make sure he's covered everything you need to know. Mind you, in the hospital, he was much more laid back...even tried to crack a few very dry jokes...but in the office, he is very focused on business...until you show him a photo of your puppy. That knocked him off his game and got him on a tangent. Bernie, his nurse, makes up for his "man of few words" demeanor by very thoroughly answering any and all questions and she is fantas! tic about returning calls. She even reminded me to tell Dr. Bridwell that I wanted to keep my instrumentation on my last visit. When Dr. Bridwell came in the morning of my second surgery and told me that he had been up all night agonizing over what to do with my situation. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was completely serious. He cares more than a normal person would and he strives for nothing less than perfection. This, ultimately, is why I chose to go with him.

I guess what I am trying to say is that each of us is different in what we value most in a surgeon. Just like we are all different regarding what we value in a hair stylist or automobile or any other thing we "shop" for, choosing the surgeon that fits us best is an extremely personal manner. This group encouraged me to consult with more than one surgeon early on and I am so grateful for that. Not everyone may need to do this, but as someone that prefers to explore a! ll of my options before making a decision, it made a world of difference for me. While there were many things I really liked about Dr. LaGrone (especially the ease in which I could talk to him), I still felt, in my gut, that Dr. Bridwell was the right surgeon for me. Part of it was his staged approach to the operation, but most of it was his obvious focus and attention to every tiny detail. The man truly is a genius.

So, this and a few bucks will buy you a cup of overpriced coffee. Hopefully it will help someone.

kam

PhotosRing in the New Year with Photo Calendars. Add photos, events, holidays, whatever.

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less