Total bullshit

[KathK]

Mike,
I also had osteopenia (-1.2 I believe) and Dr. Lenke was not concerned about proceeding with surgery. Also my spine had started to auto-fuse at the apex, but I was told that it would still continue to slowly progress (both Dr. Boachie and Dr. Lenke told me that).

I'm so sorry that this happened to you. It's a great idea to take a breather for a few days. In these types of situations, you need to proceed with caution and consider all points of view. Remember that the world of scoliosis doctors is relatively small and that most of the SRS doctors probably know one another personally. Dr. Bridwell is well respected for his years of work in this area and has trained many other surgeons. You will want to get answers, but in a manner that encourages partnership. Maybe you could ask Dr. Bridwell to personally refer you to another surgeon that he thinks could help you. I would ask if Dr. Bridwell had already consulted with Dr. Lenke on your case (I would guess that he had). If so, maybe they could refer you to another "center of excellence".

Thinking of you...

[osumike]

Thanks Jess...I have been on a couple websites for the surgeons out there in your neck of the woods...I would love to get out there and see them, but from what I can tell, the cost of a hotel stay there is close to the cost of the surgery! I cant remember what the actual cost was, but i know it was several hundred dollars a nite for hotels out there...but ya, after these few days here in Columbus, we're going to really go at on Monday to try to find another way...We're not giving up...and thank you everyone for all the kind words!!

[jesscv]

Mike,
I don't know where you're from, but I had my surgery by Dr. Bess (Shay) in Denver. He's great and highly recommend him! I'm a year post-op and feel better than ever...no pain at all.

[debbei]

Thanks Jess...I have been on a couple websites for the surgeons out there in your neck of the woods...I would love to get out there and see them, but from what I can tell, the cost of a hotel stay there is close to the cost of the surgery! I cant remember what the actual cost was, but i know it was several hundred dollars a nite for hotels out there...but ya, after these few days here in Columbus, we're going to really go at on Monday to try to find another way...We're not giving up...and thank you everyone for all the kind words!!

Mike,
I don't know about other cities, but in New York, I found a place called Miracle House, where patients and families can stay during periods of medical treatment, for a $50 fee/night. A friend from this forum and her husband stayed there when she traveled to NY from out of town. I think they (mostly her husband) was there for 3 weeks, she was there before and after.

http://www.miraclehouse.org/index.html

When I called to check for my surgery, my husband qualified to stay there, although he ended up staying in guest rooms across from Beth Israel hospital for $100 a night.

[Ballet Mom]

I'm so sorry that this happened to you. It's a great idea to take a breather for a few days. In these types of situations, you need to proceed with caution and consider all points of view. Remember that the world of scoliosis doctors is relatively small and that most of the SRS doctors probably know one another personally. Dr. Bridwell is well respected for his years of work in this area and has trained many other surgeons. You will want to get answers, but in a manner that encourages partnership. Maybe you could ask Dr. Bridwell to personally refer you to another surgeon that he thinks could help you. I would ask if Dr. Bridwell had already consulted with Dr. Lenke on your case (I would guess that he had). If so, maybe they could refer you to another "center of excellence".

I totally agree with KathK. You may end up closing many doors that you may need open. Good luck on your future journey!

[LindaRacine]

In case you missed it Mike, I'm wondering what is behind your neck in your xray? I can't figure out what I'm looking at.

[osumike]

ya I saw that you asked that Linda...But theres nothing behind my neck..they wanted me to hold my hands up by my shoulders, maybe thats what looks kinda weird..I kinda made fists and lifted my arms and elbows up to about shoulder height...but the xray machine was a new one I'd never seen before..I stood up inside this sort of tube kinda thing, and it took an xray all around me if that makes sense...then apparently it gives the xray technician a 3-d image of me. pretty cool stuff.

[Vali]

Could this be the new MRI machine i have been hearing about? Our daughter (21) requires an MRI of her cervical spine, but won't have one due to the fear of being closed in. I can't recall who told us, but they said that the new MRI requires you to stand inside a cylinder type thing and the machine moves around you......Anyone hear of anything like this?

Hope you got a ticket to the Buckeyes Mike, it starts in about 3 hours! Our family is very familiar with the Ohio State Buckeyes!

[Susie*Bee]

Mike-- Just wanted you to know I've been following your saga and am praying that you'll find the right doctor to help you out-- and hopefully soon. I think Dr. Bridwell's decision to back out, even though seemingly thoughtless, -- and definitely financially wrong on his part, is undoubtedly a blessing in disguise since he was unsure of himself. He probably kept wavering back and forth, thinking he could, but then didn't want to risk your life or paralysis in case he couldn't. Aren't you glad of that?!

I agree with not burning your bridges-- I agree that you have every right to be angry, but you may need his help in locating a doctor that he could refer you to. It is difficult to see some of the more extremely regarded specialists, but a referral from a highly regarded doctor who says you are beyond his league might open otherwise closed doors. Best wishes as you continue on your journey.

[LindaRacine]

ya I saw that you asked that Linda...But theres nothing behind my neck..they wanted me to hold my hands up by my shoulders, maybe thats what looks kinda weird..I kinda made fists and lifted my arms and elbows up to about shoulder height...but the xray machine was a new one I'd never seen before..I stood up inside this sort of tube kinda thing, and it took an xray all around me if that makes sense...then apparently it gives the xray technician a 3-d image of me. pretty cool stuff.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks.

[LindaRacine]

Could this be the new MRI machine i have been hearing about? Our daughter (21) requires an MRI of her cervical spine, but won't have one due to the fear of being closed in. I can't recall who told us, but they said that the new MRI requires you to stand inside a cylinder type thing and the machine moves around you......Anyone hear of anything like this?

Hope you got a ticket to the Buckeyes Mike, it starts in about 3 hours! Our family is very familiar with the Ohio State Buckeyes!

Hi Vali...

No, Mike's film is definitely an xray and not an MRI. I believe you're talking about a functional MRI.

Regards,
Linda

[Pooka1]

Hi Vali...

No, Mike's film is definitely an xray and not an MRI. I believe you're talking about a functional MRI.

They do fMRI on spine? The only context I have heard of fMRI used in in brain science but this isn't my field of course.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Sharon...

I may not have used the correct term, but there are a bunch of different types of MRIs that can image the skeleton during movement and/or accomodate patients who can't lie down.

Regards,
Linda

[Pooka1]

Linda you are correct. Here is one article... there are others...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9848747

J Magn Reson Imaging. 1998 Nov-Dec;8(6):1329-33.
Functional MRI of the lumbar spine in erect position in a superconducting open-configuration MR system: preliminary results.

Zamani AA, Moriarty T, Hsu L, Winalski CS, Schaffer JL, Isbister H, Schenck JF, Rohling KW, Jolesz F.

Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of obtaining, and findings in, functional MRI of the lumbar spine in an erect position and with flexion and extension. Thirty subjects (including 5 volunteers) were imaged in a sitting position and while performing flexion and extension. The alternations in posterior disk margin, size of neural foramina, and central canal were evaluated. In addition, routine supine imaging was accomplished in 15 of these subjects. The foraminal size and posterior disk margins did not change appreciably from supine to upright position. With extension, there was an increased disk bulge in 27% of disks (40% of those with desiccation). Central canal size (50%) and foraminal size (27%) decreased with extension, especially at levels with disk desiccation. Images obtained with our open-configuration MR unit were diagnostically adequate, although of inferior quality compared with those obtained with a conventional unit. Our preliminary results show the feasibility of obtaining diagnostic images of the erect lumbar spine with flexion and extension. The results are in agreement with those obtained with cadaveric studies. The utility of this method in diagnostic imaging of patients with low back pain remains to be determined.

[jrnyc]

as far as referrals go, the top surgeons are well known to all...
i dont see that Bridwell knows of any top experienced scoli experts that others arent aware of...
not saying to yell at him, but i dont see a reason to need a referral from him!

jess