Good news

[Qikdraw]

A few weeks ago I sent a letter to the doctor who did my surgery 25 years ago, basically wishing his a happy 25th anniversary of the surgery and also explaining a few things that are going on with me currently. He sent a reply today!

Brad

I remember you very well. I am delighted to hear from you and to find that the operation has helped you and indeed for such a longtime. It was a big deal However am sorry you are now having trouble. I think you should see a orthopedic spine doc you will require xrays, and probably a CT /myelogram -- a routine MRI will not do very well with all of the metal in your back. I doubt you are a candidate for a disc replacement. , but an evaluation would be helpful to determine what could and should be done.

I can have you see a friend of mine in the LA area, or have you come up to SF and see one of my partners. I prefer the latter option. We have a large spine group, and that would be my choice that you see one of my group. I am not seeing patients, but in your case I would be happy to look in and discuss with my partners after they saw you and discuss with you the options etc.

Let me know how to proceed with this

Best regards

David Bradford, MD
Professor

I am just soooooooo happy right now! To me this is a huge thing. I am going to see if my insurance will at least pay for the visit, I doubt it, but it never hurts to ask. So far I have not been impressed with any of the doctors I have seen so far, none have been a spine specialist, but even the one I am seeing on the 28th of Sept I do not have confidence in. It took a lot of phone calls just to get them to see me, and that just for an opinion. I am going to try so hard to get to see Dr Bradford's group.

This is a good day for me, so I thought I would share.

Brad

[Susie*Bee]

Yay, Brad. That sounds so encouraging! I'm really happy for you! Keep us updated with what happens-- but I REALLY HOPE it works out for you to go there. I think with all your history, that you really NEED to go there. Best wishes for that to work out!

[ck43]

Brad I am thrilled for you!!!! I've thought so often to write my own doc and say, THANKS -- I was in Playboy magazine in a bend over to the sink position. Did you see me? Thanks again for your help.

I am not sure what your doc is talking about re an MRI. They have come a long way. People here scared the s... out of me when I went for mine, "You're going to burn" yada.

I went to the MRI place in advance and talked to the techs, "NEVER HAD A PROBLEM." My MRI was a cinch, abetted by three valium (I highly recommend -- I wasn't drugged out, just worried but didn't freak out)

Our doctors do remember us. Every single case. Mine is retired now but I will always remember, Dr. John Hurley, his pipe, his sense of humor and letting me in to speak with my mother present instead of sticking me outside. ok, sometimes they talked... but I never felt like an object. Dr. John Hurley of Spokane Washington was wonderful. I was never scared with him.

Other people messed up but he didn't.

[Qikdraw]

Thanks Susie, I am hoping that I can go there too. We will see how things go.

ck43
I'm not sure why he said that about an MRI, I do have a lot of metal in my back, not only the steel from the rods, but platinum as well. Maybe that reacts bad. I don't really know. But I will take his advice. He is one of the top people in his feild. However if I can get an appointment up there then we will see what happens.

Brad

[titaniumed]

Brad

Wow, that was really cool of Dr Bradford to reply after all the years that have passed since your surgeries! He probably remembers more than most people would believe about your case. It probably would be good idea to go see him. If you come out, e-mail me.

Ed

[Jenlw]

That is so cool! It makes me want to write my doc from 10 years ago!
How nice of him to help you out!

[debbei]

That's just WONDERFUL Brad! It makes me think that there really are good people in this world.

I agree you should contact the insurance and see if they will cover it. Do you have any out-of-network coverage?

[ck43]

Brad, why worry about it? Call the MRI guys and ask, or do as I did, and ask.

I stopped by. They could see I was nervous (tremors dude in my hands and I probably seemed like a crazy person which I think they correctly registered as nerves?).

Don't sweat it.

I am thrilled your doctor remembers you, but there are others out there, as I learned.

Unfortunately, my brand new guy moved out of state but he sure knew his stuff and new stuff too. Modern. I will always love my old doc though. How can we not?

[Gerry]

Brad, I am so happy for you! This is great news and I hope and pray you can get the help you need to become pain free. We will all be sending good vibes to you.