I have a way forward! (cervical & lumbar surgery with Dr. Pimenta, Brazil)

[Katie]

I have a way ahead.

I spoke to Dr. Pimenta this evening and he calmly and confidently told me what no other surgeon would...he can do surgery on me, and soon.

He asked about a new MRI, as my last lumbar one was in Sept/08, but was astounded when I said it would take six to eight months to get one here. "That's crazy", were his exact words..."we can get you one in a day or two", he said. So I will travel to Brazil to get my MRI, and four levels of surgery.

The details of dates, etc. are still to be hammered out in the next few days, but there is now no doubt...I will have surgery, and soon

Thanks to all who supported me over the past months, years even. It has been a monumental journey, and one I hope to document properly, so others won't have to take the same rough road.

Thanks. You know who you are.

[Justin]

I have a way ahead.

I spoke to Dr. Pimenta this evening and he calmly and confidently told me what no other surgeon would...he can do surgery on me, and soon.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!



Can you tell my mind is fried from studying?!

[ajj1001]

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW

[dalhousie]

Katie - that's fantastic news. You must be so pleased & relieved to have finally got this sorted. I hope it's plain sailing for you from now on.

What type of ADR is Dr Pimenta using at the moment?

[Katie]

Ruth, I honestly don't know which he is going to use on my cervical level 5/6. I asked him to repeat it several times, but because of my bad hearing, (and language differences) it just sounded like a Cerpath, which is like nothing I've ever heard. I do know that it is ceramic and poly, not metal. And we will probably use carbon fibre screws instead of titanium.

He has access to so many appliances that others don't, which makes his job easier.

Unfortunately there is no similar ADR available for my lumbar, so he will be using PEEK, an anterior fusion for the L4/5 and L5/S1, and lateral for the 3/4, an XLIF I think he said. We tossed around ideas for quite awhile, but he basically said that we would have to wait at least another year for a suitable lumbar device to come on the market, and that is just not advisable.

If my teminology is wrong for the fusion devices, please correct me, as my mind has been wrapped around ADR language for so long and not a fusion dialect

He said that my L 2/3 looks 'pristine' and not to worry about adjacent disc problems; that if something does happen in the future, that we will deal with it then. Right now we have to address the most urgent issues.

I have to email his assistant as soon as possible to organize our plans...dates, cost, etc.....

Thanks so much for all the good wishes My husband was very impressed with all the smilies!!!

[dalhousie]

Katie,

Brazil is some distance to travel - are you having your cervical surgery done at the same time as your 3 level lumbar? That's a lot to deal with but I'm told cervical surgery is nowhere near as bad as lumbar. I've only ever had lumbar.

I look forward to hearing how you get on.

[Katie]

Thanks Ruth. Yes, Dr. P will be doing the cervical first (C5/6), then working on the lumbar right after that. I was surprised, as all of the other doctors consulted would have given me a few days between the two, including Stenum. They used to do it 'all in one' too until lately. I got a note from them this summer saying that they found that the patients recovered better if not subjected to such a big procedure. They now give about a week between surgeries.

But I guess I have to just trust in 'the man' . He exudes confidence, so I will just carry on with his plans. Since I will be asleep during the whole thing (I think), I won't be in a position to complain. I did ask if I could have an epidural during and after the surgery, as I have significant pain control problems, and he said yes, that they never want to cause more discomfort. YES!

Justin and I were chatting just after my conversation with Dr. P, and laughing about the fact that I wasn't getting any arguments to any of my questions or requests....unlike almost every other consult I've had I kept expecting walls to go up, but no, he answered everything I asked, and happily. Wait a minute...what's wrong with this conversation???? !!!

What a pleasant change.

[scduggan]

Dear Katie!
WooHoo! This is such a victory. Your tenacity, perseverance and positive outlook are an inspiration to us all. I think you will be feeling so much better now until your surgery date. The mental anguish of wondering if and when you will have a solution is now taken away. Hopefully your date will be here REALLY SOON!
CD

[Carson]

Congratulations, Katie

I feel like celebrating even though I have no idea what is going on exactly. I am very interested in your story to this point. How your spine matters came about, the methods you've used to maintain your condition and why other doctors have been less than willing to help to this point. Thank goodness for Dr. Pimenta and all my best to you and looking forward to hearing about your progess. Thank you.

Carson

[Dave]

Katie,

I'm excited for you. Positive waves your way.