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  • #31
    to clarify...

    Maria-- I think you misunderstood me, and now that I think of it, others may too. I did not mean that we should act as ostriches and bury our heads in the sand... and pretend nothing is wrong when it is. It IS very important that we share our experiences and vent our frustrations. But I think that can be done without the personal attacks on one another. Everyone has the right to "share"-- and we can state how we disagree without attacking the person we disagree with. It's possible. At least I think it is. (Although I have been known to be wrong on occasion... )
    71 and plugging along... but having some problems
    2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
    5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
    Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

    Corrected to 15°
    CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
    10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

    Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

    Comment


    • #32
      Susie,

      Very well said.

      In fact, I think that when some of us read that Krysi was told to "use nicer words" we may have taken that as an attack of sorts on her. I'll give the benefit of doubt and assume it wasn't meant that way.

      The fact that we "defended" her is in line with what you are saying about members supporting members - maybe we got off track a little. Speaking for myself, I'm only upset with the person or persons mistreating any of you!

      Best to all,
      mariaf305@yahoo.com
      Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
      Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

      https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

      http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

      Comment


      • #33
        Clarification

        Good morning all,
        For my own peace of mind, I would like to clarify my post. I was in no way trying to attack anyone, even Theresa. I had had a really frustrating interaction with my doctors office first thing in the morning and my day went downhill from there. I needed to vent and felt this was the forum and thread to do that.

        I stand by my comments on the expectations for the doctors offices. In my situation all it would have taken was "I'm sorry, this slipped through the cracks. I'll take care of it ASAP and give you a call as soon as I know something." Specialists in any field of medicine are compensated nicely for their expertise. We choose them because they are an expert in that particular field and we want the best of care. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect a little more from them that what is expected from "the neighborhood AM/PM clinic". I think compassion needs to be added to the list of level of care, respect and concern. I just can't accept the Dr. Boachie doesn't know about Theresa. He sounds like an extremely kind man and if she's as bad as she sounds and has been that way for any length of time, he just has to know. I think it's a shame that a potential patient would choose to go elsewhere because they were treated badly by the insurance lady.

        If there is anyone on this forum that feels I was attacking them personally, please accept my sincere apology. That wasn't my intent. This is an exceptional place and I would be very sad if I were the reason anyone left.
        Becky, 46 years old
        Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
        Ignored until 448/07
        Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
        Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
        Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
        Fused T-10 to L-5
        14 titanium pedicle screws
        Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
        Email

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        • #34
          Anybody?

          Simple question: Has ANYONE who had a bad experience with Dr. B's insurance lady contacted Dr. Boachie (politely, please) either directly or in writing to let him know how you were treated and how you felt? If so, what was his response? If you haven't let him know, why not? That's the only way you're going to find out if Dr. B knows or cares about how his staff treats his patients.
          FeliciaFeliciaFelicia
          10/24/00 posterior fusion T4-L4 at age 57
          8/5/05 posterior surgery for spinal stenosis at L4-L5; laminectomy and fusion
          5/14/07 posterior revision with fusion to sacrum
          2/11/08 anterior discectomy L5-S1, and reinforcement of fusion with plate attached to L5-S1
          3/9/2011 and 3/11/2011 revision surgery with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis - complete revision and fusion with instrumentation from T1 to sacrum, one lumbar osteotomy.

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          • #35
            Regarding Theresa at Dr. Boachie's

            Just to let everyone know, Dr. Boachie has been informed of how several of his patients feel they have been mistreated by his insurance staff person,Theresa, and the concerns have been addressed and corrected.

            Theresa, was extremely helpful in my case in submitting my predetermination of benefits to my insurance company, so I would know how much I would be responsible for paying prior to surgery. Since Dr. Boachie is out-of-network, Theresa told me their policy requested 50% prior to surgery. However, it was the insurance company who refused to tell me how much they were going to pay until after the surgery was performed.

            In as much chronic pain I was in, I had to take a proactive approach and contact my State's Insurance Commission, who in turn contacted my insurance company's legal dept. This process went on for 5 months and I even had to reschedule my surgery with Dr. Boachie. But in the end, I was reimbursed by my insurance company and Dr. Boachie also wrote off a portion that was still owed.

            Dr. Boachie was performing revision surgery, because the fusions I had three years ago to correct my 69degree thoracic curve had not taken (T3-L5) and the instrumentation was extremely painful. Dr. Boachie was to remove the old instrumention, refuse the entire spine and put in smaller instrumentation.

            I had already flown across the country and interviewed three other well known adult revision scoliosis surgeons, who were all in my insurance plan, but I felt confident that Dr. Boachie was most qualified and experienced and has been called "the artist of the spine." The Hospital for Special Surgery had also been ranked the best hospital in the country.

            My surgery was performed 10.16.07 and I'm still in the healing stages. The revision surgery was far less invasion that the original surgery three years ago. I'm very grateful for that and hope that this will be my last surgery, except for removing the instrumentation in 2 or 3 years once the fusion has completely healed.

            Comment


            • #36
              Pam-- it sounds like you have been through so much, but turned the corner with this revision surgery. What a long battle! Here's to a continued, smooth recovery for you!
              71 and plugging along... but having some problems
              2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
              5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
              Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

              Corrected to 15°
              CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
              10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

              Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

              Comment


              • #37
                Originally posted by Pam
                except for removing the instrumentation in 2 or 3 years once the fusion has completely healed.
                Pam,

                You are very fortunate to have had Dr. Boachie perform your revision, but why will you have the instrumentation removed in two or three years after you're fused?

                Chris

                Comment


                • #38
                  Removal of instrumentation

                  Chris---

                  I'm having a very difficult time dealing with the pain from the instrumentation. It feels like a constant rubbing and digging pain. I wonder is anyone else experiences the same or similiar sensations?

                  I also have degenerative vertebraes in C5&C6, which I'm sure was caused by the 69 degree thoracic curve, causing additional neck and shoulder pain. I've been seeing a chiropractor, which helps relieve the neck and headache pain.

                  When I mentioned this to Dr. Boachie, he suggested the possibility of removing the instrumentation in 2-3 years. I was quite surprised by his response. However, I have spoken with a woman around my age ( mid 50's) who had her instrumentation removed years ago and her curve has not progressed.

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Thank you for your support!

                    Originally posted by Susie*Bee
                    Pam-- it sounds like you have been through so much, but turned the corner with this revision surgery. What a long battle! Here's to a continued, smooth recovery for you!
                    Thank you for your support!

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Pam -- I was interested in your experiencing pain from the instrumentation. The only time I'm acutely aware of my instrumentation is when I walk up stairs, when I can feel the rods actually pulling at my backside at the bottom of my fusion. The other discomfort I have all the time is, I assume, muscular -- who knows, really. I think it's really hard to tell whether pain is muscular or scar tissue or something else. The only type of pain I'm sure I can identify is nerve pain, whick thankfully I hardly ever have anymore.

                      Anyway, I'm glad that Boachie takes your sensations seriously and is willing to remove your hardware after a time. I have a feeling you're not the first person to experience what you're describing.
                      Chris
                      A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
                      Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
                      Post-op curve: 12 degrees
                      Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

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