I originally posted in the revision surgery section, since I am now heading for my fifth fusion surgery. But thanks to a suggestion from confused mom, I'm posting here because I have some questions about St. Louis and Dr. Lenke and I see there's quite a few of you here who have had surgery with him.
I have been on and off this forum since my first surgery in 2000. Long story short, I have had saggital imbalance since after my second surgery, it was not adequately fixed in the third and fourth surgeries, and has been getting progressively worse with extremely poor prognosis.
Last June I saw Dr. Lenke in St. Louis and I was SO impressed with him. I'm scheduled for two-stage surgery in March. I will be one week in hospital and one week in rehab. Any information you can give me about Dr. Lenke, his staff and the hospital that I should know? Did any of you do rehab there?
Having been through surgeries before, I kind of know what to expect there, but being out of town for the surgery for two weeks is what’s worrying me right now. I'm single, no children. The two people who have been my primary caregivers cannot go to St. Louis with me. I have a sister and a brother who may be able to be with me for part of the time. Neither one of them is a very experienced traveler (or caregiver) and I'm afraid they are going to be so overwhelmed.
My questions center around figuring out all the logistics. I want to organize the trip for my caregivers so I can concentrate on my surgery and not worry about them. I will probably have to spring for them to stay at the Parkway Hotel since neither of them wants to have to deal with a car there.
Here's the kinds of questions running through my mind .... Have any of you used Guest Services for any arrangements? Did you leave St. Louis the same day you were released or did you stay in a hotel overnight? I thought I saw somewhere that there were home care aides available. Anybody know about that? (My brother might be the one to bring me home but I"m concerned about any personal care I might need after discharge from the hospital and before I leave town.)
I will be flying home and would appreciate any tips about getting to/through the airport with me in a wheelchair, the luggage, and just general airport hassles.
My pre-op is next week and I’m allowing extra time to search everything out while I’m there. I would appreciate any tips or suggestions you may have. We can correspond on the forum or via private email if you prefer. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
P.S. Dr. Lenke is using me for a video tutorial because my case will be “interesting.” I figure he will be extra careful that way, no “oops” allowed on video!
I have been on and off this forum since my first surgery in 2000. Long story short, I have had saggital imbalance since after my second surgery, it was not adequately fixed in the third and fourth surgeries, and has been getting progressively worse with extremely poor prognosis.
Last June I saw Dr. Lenke in St. Louis and I was SO impressed with him. I'm scheduled for two-stage surgery in March. I will be one week in hospital and one week in rehab. Any information you can give me about Dr. Lenke, his staff and the hospital that I should know? Did any of you do rehab there?
Having been through surgeries before, I kind of know what to expect there, but being out of town for the surgery for two weeks is what’s worrying me right now. I'm single, no children. The two people who have been my primary caregivers cannot go to St. Louis with me. I have a sister and a brother who may be able to be with me for part of the time. Neither one of them is a very experienced traveler (or caregiver) and I'm afraid they are going to be so overwhelmed.
My questions center around figuring out all the logistics. I want to organize the trip for my caregivers so I can concentrate on my surgery and not worry about them. I will probably have to spring for them to stay at the Parkway Hotel since neither of them wants to have to deal with a car there.
Here's the kinds of questions running through my mind .... Have any of you used Guest Services for any arrangements? Did you leave St. Louis the same day you were released or did you stay in a hotel overnight? I thought I saw somewhere that there were home care aides available. Anybody know about that? (My brother might be the one to bring me home but I"m concerned about any personal care I might need after discharge from the hospital and before I leave town.)
I will be flying home and would appreciate any tips about getting to/through the airport with me in a wheelchair, the luggage, and just general airport hassles.
My pre-op is next week and I’m allowing extra time to search everything out while I’m there. I would appreciate any tips or suggestions you may have. We can correspond on the forum or via private email if you prefer. Thanks for any advice you can offer.
P.S. Dr. Lenke is using me for a video tutorial because my case will be “interesting.” I figure he will be extra careful that way, no “oops” allowed on video!
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