The Next Step

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

I just had my follow-up with Dr. Becker about my 6 weeks of therapy and NSAIDs.

I went

in with the intention of talking him into fixing this with surgery... I'm

getting really tired of

" Pain Management " . I'm ready to be normal again.

He surprised me by offering surgery within the first 3 minutes of conversation.

It's really

the only true 'FIX " for this situation. I find myself moving from self pity, to

anger to

determination and back to self pity. I think I need a good hard cry, but I just

don't have

the time right now.

Quick Review: 1978, scoliosis with H-rod T6 to L4. Very active lifestyle, and

rare pain until

this summer. 45 years old. Diagnosis -Spondylolisthesis. He wants to finish the

fusion all

the way down, posterior and anterior.

I'm trying to get into see Dr. Horton at Emory, but he has a 3 month wait list.

I've been

trying to sweet talk his nurse... she sounds sympathetic... keeping fingers

crossed.

I like Dr. Becker at Resurgens a lot, I just can't seem to get a lot of

background on his

experience. I can't find any former patient testimonials. He says he does these

fusions all

the time, but when I try to pin him on the number who had H-rods, he is kind of

vague. I

asked if he would remove the old rod for any reason, he said I didn't need it

anymore

because the fusion is solid. He said he could remove it if I wanted... is there

any reason to

do this? He claims I can just as active after recovery as before, including my

kick-box jam

(I miss it so much!!!). I know he studied under Dr. Horton and I think he did

his fellowship

with him. He doesn't seem too keen on going back to past surgical records to

find other

patients I might talk to (too much work).

I'd like to get a mentor if possible to help me through this process. Someone

who was very

physical before and was in their 40's, with similar issues. I have so many

questions about

recovery issues. I have to start planning.

Thank G-d I found you guys before the surgery. What a blessing.

-Thanks,

Dyann