My first email to Dr. Boeree regarding M6-C

[speedyralph]

Hello members, this is my first thread after a year of being a member. I haven't posted anything because it's very hard for me to sit down and explain explain everything about my past and current condition. I finally made my mind up and started to communicate with Dr. Nick Boeree. Below is the email I sent the Doc and his assistant Jo Hayley. Lets see where this takes me....

<<Please see attachment for MRI results>>

"Hello Dr. Boeree,

My name is Rafael Ferrer, age 32, and I live in Miami, FL.

When I was 18 yr old, I dove head first into a shallow part of a pool. I remembered hearing cracking sounds that radiated down my spine and gave me cold chills. I floated to the edge of the pool and stayed there as I caught my breath and realized that something bad had happened. I didn't think much about it and for the next 2-3 years I started to experience electrical shocks between my cervical and trapezoid area. On the 3rd year after I decided to get x-rays and was told that I didn't have consistent spacing between c5-6. I was told to get an MRI. This finally proved the herniation and bulges between c2-6.

From the ages of 12-31 I have been involved in motors sports. I've had a lengthy career in auto racing winning tons of championships in 2 continents. Never had a serious accident. From the ages of 28-31 I started racing motorcycles competitive locally in Florida and repeated the same success winning 2 years back to back championships. I did have an accident at age 28 in which I fell off the motorcycle on to the track and was struck by another motorcycle on my lower back fracturing 2 TP bones which healed successfully.

All up to age 31 I was pretty physically active with my racing, other sports, weight lifting, running, etc... My cervical never bothered me except for the normal spasms, and electrical shocks I would experience from time to time. I have learned to manage pain and not think much about it. I retired from racing at the end of 2009.

In June of 2010, I rode a water craft (Jet-Ski) in the Florida Keys very aggressively. I hadn't ridden a Jet-Ski since I was 14 yr old. I was very impressed by the torque and power of this machine and I was immediately inspired to ride the thing as aggressive as I was capable of. I never fell off or jumped big waves or anything. The next morning, I woke and sat on my couch and started to watch Formula One. About 1 hour after watching the race I started to feel discomfort and heavy stiffness around my cervical. Within the next hour, I couldn't move my neck in any direction (left/right/up/down/diagonally/etc...)

Since January of 2010, I was already feeling some discomfort from one day waking up with a big pain on my neck. People have always told me that sleeping upside down is very bad. Before this June incident, I had gotten an MRI in May 2010 (see first page of attachment) which revealed what I already knew about my cervical condition. After June's Jet-Ski incident, In July 2010 I met with Dr. Steven Vanni and he recommended me getting another detailed MRI and a CT scan. After reviewing my reports he said I was good candidate for ADR using a Bryan disc. This was the first time that I had ever heard of an ADR. Since my pain had been diminishing from massage therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and traction I didn't feel the necessity to jump into surgery.

After July, I started researching online about different ADR discs and I became a member of the Spine Patient Society Forum and began reading and reading as much as I could about peoples experiences and opinions. Somehow I landed on Dr. Bertagnoli website from my research outside of the forum and I was very impressed by the testimonials and knowledge of the doctor. At the beginning of 2011, I started communicating through emails with his staff. It was a little weird or too good to be true that the staff addressed my concern with the speed of any great salesman would. They were very persistent and prompt with their turn around time and quickly asking me to set up a date for surgery. They recommended a pro-disc c. I was not ready to set a date, so I put it off.

In the next couple of months February - March, I started searching for Dr. Bertagnoli on the Spine Patient Society Forum and I started to read a lot of negative things about the doctor. For example, Artificial Disc Prodisc This story convinced me to never communicate with his staff. At this time, it all made sense that their dedication to get me to set a date was all a big sales pitch.

I continued reading the forums and learned about the M6-C, from Phil Huntsville, Alabama and Tyler's August 2 level procedure done by you. Just yesterday Thursday, I spoke on the phone with Phil and he gave me more insight on the disc and his highest level of experience in your clinic and care. I'm convinced that this is the best option for me to use the M6-C because of its sophistication of absorption and mechanics unlike no other and to have this procedure done by you because of your level of knowledge and neurological background. I'm very confident about that and I haven't even talked to you, hahahaa!

My current level of pain is a lot of discomfort around the cervical area radiating to the right trapezoid from pulling or pushing with my right arm. I do not have tingling or numbness on any of my arms nor my legs. I occasionally do traction, but not consistent on that. My discomfort comes only when I do anything physical. Also, the pain and discomfort comes when I counter balance my neck forward from riding motorcycles on an upright sitting position. For example, if I stick my neck out the window of moving car I naturally have to lean my neck forward to maintain it straight. This puts major load on my cervical and immediately, I start to feel soreness, cold sweats, tons of knots starts to form, and I start to have shorten breaths.

I'm currently not involved in any sports of any kind. I could only ride around on my scooter, which doesn't enough frontal wind pressure to cause me pain. I am very afraid of the fact that I can't participate on the sports that I love nor do moderate weight lifting or pick up my future children, etc...

I usually know how to type better and have sentence formulations, but this time I just explained my self as I thought of it. Having said this, I'm sorry if my English or sentences were hard to understand.

Please ask me any questions and I will be thrilled to explain myself better...

I have attached the first MRI I had done in May 2010 and the reports of Dr. Vanni and Dr. Bertagnoli's staff. I do have CD's of the MRI/CT scans if needed. It's been a year since I haven't had another scan of any kind, so please inform me of what scan in particular you would want me to get."

[Justin]

Hey Ralph,

It's great that you are moving forward with surgery after doing a lot of research on your part! It sounds like you have had a very successful racing career.

After July, I started researching online about different ADR discs and I became a member of the Spine Patient Society Forum and began reading and reading as much as I could about peoples experiences and opinions. Somehow I landed on Dr. Bertagnoli website from my research outside of the forum and I was very impressed by the testimonials and knowledge of the doctor. At the beginning of 2011, I started communicating through emails with his staff. It was a little weird or too good to be true that the staff addressed my concern with the speed of any great salesman would. They were very persistent and prompt with their turn around time and quickly asking me to set up a date for surgery. They recommended a pro-disc c. I was not ready to set a date, so I put it off.

In the next couple of months February - March, I started searching for Dr. Bertagnoli on the Spine Patient Society Forum and I started to read a lot of negative things about the doctor. For example, Artificial Disc Prodisc This story convinced me to never communicate with his staff. At this time, it all made sense that their dedication to get me to set a date was all a big sales pitch.

I have to say that it's truly unfortunate that one patient's story turned you off from one of the most prominent and skilled artificial disc replacement surgeons in the world. I've had surgery with Dr. Bertagnoli twice. I can assure you there's no "sales pitch." I usually don't "step in" and respond to posts such as these. However, when there are gross inaccuracies or when people post "facts" without ever meeting the surgeon themselves, I feel the need to say something.

Anyway, best of luck with surgery.

[Cindylou]

Hey Ralph,




I have to say that it's truly unfortunate that one patient's story turned you off from one of the most prominent and skilled artificial disc replacement surgeons in the world. I've had surgery with Dr. Bertagnoli twice. I can assure you there's no "sales pitch." I usually don't "step in" and respond to posts such as these. However, when there are gross inaccuracies or when people post "facts" without ever meeting the surgeon themselves, I feel the need to say something.

Anyway, best of luck with surgery.

I have to agree with Justin unequivocally. You have been sorely misinformed about Dr. Bertagnoli. I do wish you the best with your future surgery. Cindylou

[speedyralph]

I have to say that it's truly unfortunate that one patient's story turned you off from one of the most prominent and skilled artificial disc replacement surgeons in the world. I've had surgery with Dr. Bertagnoli twice. I can assure you there's no "sales pitch." I usually don't "step in" and respond to posts such as these. However, when there are gross inaccuracies or when people post "facts" without ever meeting the surgeon themselves, I feel the need to say something.

Justin, I understand what you mean, but I was truly being honest. A parent could hear of a motorcycle accident where somebody lost their lives and be turned off to the idea of ever getting into one or even allowing their son or daughter to ride in one. Did that parent consider that maybe that motorcycle rider that lost their life was going to fast or riding under the influence?

I read everything that poor girl wrote about Dr.Bertagnoli and her tragic story. I think he could of address it better, once he noticed her situation. I'm just typing out of thin air here about Anastasia's story, but if you read it you'll know where I'm coming from. How do I know if something wrong happens to me under Dr. Bertagnoli's hands and he leaves me out to rot? I'm aware that this hypothetically scenario could possible also happen to me with Dr. Boeree, but the fact that there's "internet" and that people could share stories as they please, has made an impact on me enough to filter it and decide on not going forward with such surgeons. In hindsight, it truly is unfortunate that one's story could put off something. I agree.

I will keep this forum up the best I could as I get closer to pulling the triger on the procedure and I am truly sorry if I have offended anyone here.

Ralph

[trkdoc714]

Ralph,

I don't think you offended anyone. Unfortunately, along with the freedoms this forum offers, it doesn't create an environment that allows the telling of both sides of the stories. No ethical surgeon can defend himself/ herself regarding anything related to a surgury due to patient confidentiality and lack of a peer review. A lot of us have voiced objections to surgeon bashing in the past. It's frustrating to read these sort of stories knowing the surgeon cannot and will not defend themselves or their reputation.

Try to remember there ARE two sides to every story and the ones we read are very subjectively written. No mention is ever made of pre-existing conditions or anomolies that could jeopodize the success of surgery or the recovery. Mistakes made during recovery aren't mentioned either. I know of one "failed" cervical ADR surgery that in reality was caused by the patient diving from the diving board at the hotel pool within days of having a dual level operation. Of course the patient blamed the surgeon.

I want to wish you luck with your surgeon of choice. I've heard good things about him and good outcomes from his surgeries. I'm sure you're in good hands.

Bob

[speedyralph]

Ralph,

I don't think you offended anyone. Unfortunately, along with the freedoms this forum offers, it doesn't create an environment that allows the telling of both sides of the stories. No ethical surgeon can defend himself/ herself regarding anything related to a surgury due to patient confidentiality and lack of a peer review. A lot of us have voiced objections to surgeon bashing in the past. It's frustrating to read these sort of stories knowing the surgeon cannot and will not defend themselves or their reputation.

Try to remember there ARE two sides to every story and the ones we read are very subjectively written. No mention is ever made of pre-existing conditions or anomolies that could jeopodize the success of surgery or the recovery. Mistakes made during recovery aren't mentioned either. I know of one "failed" cervical ADR surgery that in reality was caused by the patient diving from the diving board at the hotel pool within days of having a dual level operation. Of course the patient blamed the surgeon.
Bob

I couldn't agree anymore, but I don't think anybody will be willing to create a website and write such a detailed story of events like Anastasia did about her bad experience. Did you read her whole website? Has anybody challenged her point of view on this forum?

Ralph

[KanRunMo]

There are cases where people or companies who work for one surgeon or medical clinic, bad mouth another surgeon. You need to actually find out about a person who is writing negative (or postitive)things about others. I have not personally seen any of the surgeons mentioned; Bergnatoli, Boree, Pimenta,or Ritter-Lang. I did send my MRI to Dr. Boree and he responded and wanted to talk to me personally on the phone. I have not yet done that but plan to soon. Good Luck in your research and possible surgery.

[trkdoc714]

Ralph,

Let me preface this by saying I'm not referring to Anastasia's story but the practice of surgeon bashing as a whole.

You'd be surprised the length some people will go to amplify their points of view. On other forums there have been "created" cases and doctored images to further agendas. It's a shame but it happens from time to time.

The bottom line, in my opinion, is that the forum environment isn't a good venue for debating complicated cases. Only a peer review could accurately settle dispute when one of the parties has an obligation to respect and keep the patient's confidentiality (even at the cost of having their reputation tarnished by the sort of chat room mentality seen on other forums).

That is my opinion though. I have a tendency to look at all aspects of a situation before drawing a conclusion.

Bob

[speedyralph]

Bob,

I agree, but thanks to Tyler and Phil I have learned about the M6 and its superiority over any other disc.

Thanks,
Ralph

[speedyralph]

Hello members,

I just had an MRI done after 13 months and it totally freaked me out. Now that I have been reading and understanding different conditions I realize that what I have is really serious. Omg. Not that It wasn't, It was just that I hadn't looked at my MRI with what I know now. You get me?

Ralph
Ps. Dr. Boeree requested to have an MRI..