Thanks Beth,

You're a darling.

I'm wondering how does one find the "right" neurosurgeon?  One I went to
in Maine prescribed a far more drastic procedure
than the one in Philly.  Of course, I haven't been shopping a list of
"right ones" either.  Don't even have a list.
Rheumatoid arthritis isn't CP, so I don't see where your friend would
have the post-operative difficulties
anticipated for me.  What kind of surgery did your friend have?

As implied, I've an anterior cervical stenosis. The docs would have to
cut through the front of my neck to get to the back.
They say they have to cut through good muscle, avoid arteries,
anticipate much bleeding and infection.  Then they need to
remove anterior cervical bone, replace with hip bone, fuse it.  They
don't think they can remove the neck bone without doing
damage to the spinal cord.  They're also not sure they can adequately
immobilize me so I don't rip everything apart before
properly healed.

I may need lessons in positive thinking techniques.  My mathematical
mind mumbles "High risk."  My usual courage takes on
yellow hue.

I'd appreciate more specific encouragement and information.

Hugs,

Steve

Date:         Wed, 8 Nov 2000 06:50:09 -0600
From:         "Elizabeth H. Thiers" <[log in to unmask]>

Subject:      Re: A Pain in the Neck


Steve,

I have a friend of mine here who has rheumatoid arthritis.  Very severe.
She ended up doing the surgery twice (the first bone graft didn't take
as
her hyperactive immune system rejected it).  She did finally go to
Shands
and have it done using her own bone and is has done the trick.  She was
in
and out in only 2-3 days.  The trick is to find a good neurosurgeon who
is
willing to work with you.  Recouperation was the hard part though as she
needed to be in a neck splint for several weeks and needed extra help
with
self-care.


Beth the OT

> -----Original Message-----
> From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of I. S. Margolis
> Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2000 12:56 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: A Pain in the Neck
>
>
> For me the damage to my arms, legs, and spinal cord has already been
> done.  I'm trying to recover something of what I lost physically.  I
am
> seeing several doctors.  I also face life threatening neurosurgery to
> remove, replace, and fuse anterior cervical bone pressing nearly onto
my
> spinal cord.  The docs aren't very optimistic about the results.
>
>
> Steve M.
>
>
>