An Official Request for Help

**KBear** · 11-20-2009, 11:59 PM

Katie, Maybe start a new thread asking this, with a short medical history (like what levels need done, what is wrong with each of them, etc.) and re-post what allergies you have, that way we can print it up and take it with us to our next appointment. I don't go until Jan, but I will ask.

**Cindylou** · 11-21-2009, 12:07 AM

Yes, great idea Kathy. And definitely type out a cheat sheet for everyone Katie, like Kathy said. My ADR surgeon of course is in Germany, and I don't have a current appt. w/ my surgeon who did my L6-S1 pars defect fusion and laminectomy, but I will definitely ask him at the earliest convenience. (he does ADR's as well)

We're pulling for you hon. So hang in there. Something will turn up.

**Katie** · 11-21-2009, 02:27 AM

Thanks guys. Great ideas. I'm good at taking orders, not always so good at making up things to follow myself

I'll follow up on this ASAP.

**Cindylou** · 11-21-2009, 07:24 AM

Hey Katie, you have been doing an amazing job at coming up not only with ideas, but all the nitty gritty detail work of calling doctors, manufacturers, and the like. It is a daunting task at best. Don't sell yourself short. I am in awe of what progress you have made already.

**Katie** · 11-21-2009, 11:10 AM

Thanks kiddo. I had a wonderful sleep-in this morning till 10, until the phone rang. But I didn't get to sleep till almost 3, so I guess it was an average amount over all. It sure felt good though. It's been a long time since I woke up feeling peaceful; almost forgot what it felt like!

I'll work on my list in a bit. Thanks so much for the offer...it's such a great idea.

**Lynda** · 11-21-2009, 02:23 PM

Katie, this may be of interest to you:

Pioneer Surgical Technology

There are links in the above to an ongoing US trial (for single level lumbar), perhaps if you contacted Pioneer they could give you information on the situation regarding its use in Canada / patients with metal allergies?

Here's another link: http://www.pioneersurgical.eu/assets...bacEN_1307.pdf

There is a surgeon in Manchester, UK who was piloting or maybe trialling a new cervical artificial disc which was all poly something or other called Embody but I have been unable to find anything about it on the web. I don't even know if the study was dropped or continued. Not much help I know but if you wanted I could pm you the surgeons contact details.

Here's a link to some info about NuNec cervical artificial disc too: http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_int...ty-system.html

Very best wishes

Lynda

**Katie** · 11-21-2009, 03:00 PM

Thanks Lynda.

Yes, please could you send me the contact information? Anything and everything is helpful right now. You just never know what may be the key to this puzzle. I am so thankful for all the help everyone is giving me.

**Lynda** · 11-21-2009, 03:45 PM

I've sent you a pm Katie with the info ....good luck.

**Terry Newton** · 11-21-2009, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by KBear

Katie- Here's an idea... Just about all of us have surgeons who did or are doing surgery on us. We either are seeing them pre-op or post-op. How about you ask everyone to ask their surgeon/spine doctors at their next appointment if they have any ideas? I don't think the surgeon would mind, if we just mentioned during the appointment that we have a friend who needs 5 levels of cervical and lumbar; but has severe metal allergies and asked them if they knew of a suitable device?? You never know, that would be like picking 100's of dr's minds at once? Maybe one of them would have something. Just a thought....

Kathy gets the; "Brilliance of the Year Award!"

You are now amongst prestigious company Kathy.