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Reply With QuoteThat's quite a unique story, Katie! Talk about a nail-biter.
This is a discussion on Don't try crossing the border after a stress test..... within the The Lounge forums, part of the Social and Support Forums category; It was a gorgeous day, if a little disorganized. We decided to take a last minute trip to Sacket's Harbour ...
Don't try crossing the border after a stress test..... It was a gorgeous day, if a little disorganized. We decided to take a last minute trip to Sacket's Harbour outside of Watertown, NY yesterday to visit friends. Since it was just a day trip, we were trying to get there by early afternoon at the latest, so we could enjoy the shopping and sight-seeing.
I haven't crossed the border much and am always a little nervous. They just seem to know too much, or want toAll was well, and the worst that could have happened was them making us throw away our fruit snacks (or so I thought).
I was driving and as soon as we got to the man in the little booth and handed him our passports, he asked if one of us had a stress test recently. Now I had just had one on Wednesday, but was a little stunned that he would know about it. Surely the US gov't didn't have my medical records???!! Piles of thoughts were scrambling my brain while I tried to think of an answer. It was easy right, yes or no? What if I wasn't allowed in because I was considered a serious health risk....that having a stress test might mean an imminent heart attack?
See what garbage can fly into my head when faced with too much authority?So I choked out a yes and asked if he was psychic...like Patrick Jane in the Mentalist. No smile...deadpan face.
No Mam, you have set off the radioactive sensors. Park the car over there and go into that building with no windows...you can take your purse, but no husband. Radioactive sensors???? Holy crap!
Why didn't they warn me at the imaging clinic at my last two appointments?! I had tracers injected during my chemical stress test for my heart since I couldn't do the treadmill. Apparently it hangs around in your body for awhile....
So I had to go with another beefy fellow into a small room where he scanned me with a ray gun...just kidding...a big beeping star wars gun that went through the roof when he pointed it at my arm where they injected the tracer. Meanwhile, they took our car into another area which scanned it, in case I was trying to hurt the country before having coffee with friendsThe level of security was indeed impressive. I do wonder how hard they have to work at keeping a straight face when little old ladies like me melt down at being interrogated
Hubby described it this way...."honey, your face fell off".
So after a bit, we were allowed to carry on with our day. The nice man with the gun did say that even cat litter will set off the radioactive alarms though.
It made for a good story over coffee, and was a good excuse for our late arrival
Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things. Therapy and chiropractic treatments helping immensely. Gone from being almost bedridden to near normal activities including gardening. Life is gooooood!
Re: Don't try crossing the border after a stress test..... That's quite a unique story, Katie! Talk about a nail-biter
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
Re: Don't try crossing the border after a stress test..... That's a crazy story that could only be true! Holy cow. I probably would have pee-peed my pants!lol
CL
• January 2000 MVA passenger, used jaws of life to retrieve me, neck injury and months of PT
• June 2001 Bicycle accident, 2 compression fractures at T12/L1, Vertebroplasty Sept. 2001
• April 2006 right hip, labral tear and repair
• April 2007 3 level ProDisc @ L3/4, L4/5 & L5/6✷ ✷Lumbosacral transitional vertebra; Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli
• July 2, 2008 ALIF & Laminectomy @ L6/S1
• July 30, 2008 re-opened 28 days later to remove bone cement that had leaked onto S1 nerve root
• August 2008 Pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, re-hospitalized 1 week
• March 10, 2009 Right SI Joint Fusion
• April 27, 2010 2nd right hip arthroscopy to remove adhesions and release psoas muscle
• September 30, 2010 lumbar facet rhizotomy
• December 9, 2010 12 bilateral lumbar trigger point and steroid injections
• December 23, 2010 12 more bilateral trigger point injections w/o steroid
• February 15, 2011 ESI bilaterally in lower lumbar...relief only for few days. Considering 1 more.
Did Spinal Cord Stimulator trial from 5/11/11-5/17/11 with excellent results; Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery is Monday,
July 18, 2011
Re: Don't try crossing the border after a stress test..... Well sounds like we are safe from potential terrorists, the system is working
As long as the bad guys act "honorably" and cross the border in their cars instead of running across it like thousands of others do illegally all the time....
Re: Don't try crossing the border after a stress test..... DittoOriginally Posted by Cindylou
That's a crazy story that could only be true! Holy cow. I probably would have pee-peed my pants!
31 years old- 1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler at 25 years old; 6/06- Head on collision on Interstate, both wrecks other drivers fault. Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc at 29 years old. Pain and medication free as of October 2010!Mommy to Emma- 8 years, Ava- 6 years & had baby Eli after ADR, via c-section on March 25, 2011, completely pain free still!
Re: Don't try crossing the border after a stress test..... LMBO! I don't know if I would have started laughing or cryingI've had the same stress tests done and they warned me about the isotopes, but I didn't realize that they stayed around for more than a day or so. Yeah, I'll remember not to do any border crossing excursions after my tests LOL! Glad you made it out alive!
~ Vanessa ~ Living my life one Dr. Visit at a time
- Work injury while working as a Veterinary Assistant 1998 - herniated lumbar discs @ L4, L5, thoracic L2, L3
- PT, LSI, Tens Unit from 1998 - 2009
- 6/2010 severe leg pain down right leg
Lyrica, Neurontin, Cymbalta, Morphine etc.
- MRI - DDD multiple levels, nerve root narrowing @ L4, L5
- 9/8/2010 Laminotomy & Discectomy @ L4, L5-S1
- 11/3/2010 Repeat MRI shows collapse of L4, L5 (continued nerve pain)
Re: Don't try crossing the border after a stress test..... The Border agent said that I should have made an appointment before trying to cross...that if they had been really busy, it could have taken hours to get 'released'. While not having a visible sense of humour, they were really very easy to deal with....even with the weapons on their hips ;-)
Speaking of which, our trip to Brazil was a culture shock as well. We couldn't walk far without passing military attired personnel with automatic weapons over their shoulders. Even Dr. Pimenta's office building had armed guards....a little more subtle, but still there. But after a couple of days you got used to them, and just assumed that they were on our side of business
As for wet pants...well, if I hadn't needed a stress test before that adventure, I would have afterwards! Hubby thought it was a lot of fun...at my expense...men!
I don't know what isotope they injected or its half-life...how long it lasts, but I guess I was extra sensitive having had the first one a less than a week before as a base reading, then the second one on Wednesday. Sure wish the imaging clinic would have given me the same heads up, Vanessa.
Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things
Re: Don't try crossing the border after a stress test..... Katie WOW I thought I had a crazy time two years ago at Christmas when I tried to take the kids into Canada without their Dad and only Birth Certificates in hand. It wasn't a pretty sight let's just say that. 9 kids 5 of my own , 6 Adults all who just wanted to go to Upper Canada village to see the lights.(kids were crying they thought we wouldn't ever be allowed back home LOL, and 5 upset Adults who thought the Evening was shot)!! But your story took the cake !! I mentioned your story to my parents. My Mom said when she had her stress test they warned her the issue not to cross the border for a certain time.
I'm so Happy and Jealous that you got to visit Sacket's Harbour !!! I love the area !! Let me guess where you went for Coffee ??? Did you go to Tin Pan Galley ?? My parents and Family often go there for Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner. Very nice place. I'm glad you had a nice trip. I'm so ready to go home !! I'm very homesick. I did fly home last NewYear to visit by myself and I have treasured that trip very much so. Take care. I'm happy to hear your feeling good enough for a day trip.
Caitlin aka Metalneck07
Back troubles Teenager-no specific accident ,DDD Lumbar Cervical-Arthritic Facets,etc.
Cervical Issues- alternative procedures,meds,PT,Diskogram,myelogram
'07 ADCF C5-6 Surgeon closed shop left me with screws backing out 2months after surgery
'09 Revsion Surgery C5-6 3 screws had backed out, scarring connective tissue,fluid build up,NonUnion
'10 complete fusion and Hardware show no issues
Lumbar issues - DDD alternative procedures,meds,PT,Diskogram verifies L4-5 and L5-S1 pain generators ,Annular disk tear,herinated disk both levels, Facet Hypertrophy
September 28,2010 On my 40th Birthday I recieved the gift of a new spine.My Prodisc at L4-5 and ALIF at L-5S1.
Thank you Dr.Blumenthal and Dr.Lieberman you are the BEST.
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