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Preface - January Of 2014 |
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The surgeon's aggressive
approach initially surprised me, especially given his
attempts to undermine my professional qualifications and
provoke an emotional response regarding my wife, Valerie,
whose life changed dramatically in 1999 and certainly didn’t
deserve his insults.
However, after leaving the room
and returning visibly shaken and soft-spoken, he adopted an
unusually supportive demeanor towards Valerie, highlighting
the contrast between his earlier hostility and the newfound
concern he expressed.
This interaction only
reinforced the insights we had gathered from West Virginia
doctors who recommended seeking treatment in Germany,
particularly after my extensive research on ADRSUPPORT.ORG,
which pointed me to a leading European surgeon renowned for
his expertise in artificial disc replacements, boasting over
5,000 successful procedures with an impressive safety
record. |
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From Valerie's Journals... |
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May 10, 2014:
So, our trip is
to a
surgical appointment with Prof Rudolph Bertagnoli in Bogen Germany!
We arrived at Munich airport about 9:30 A.M on Sunday May 11. It is a
lovely airport - the airport's designer was also at our home in West Virginia in 2011. We find our luggage and quickly
go through customs and pass through the doors. Dirk and Gretel were there!
It is oh so wonderful to be together again! What a blessing they've been in
our lives.
We were then in their motor home and off to Bogen,
Germany. Along the way we stopped to eat - Gasthof Scheuenpflug
Dreifaltig Keitsberg. Many "Mothers Day" celebrants were there. |
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Klinick Bogen |
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We made it to Bogen and checked in at Pension Schreiber. We then slept
for six hours. Dirk and Gretel walked to the hospital, found out lots of
information and met the hospital caretaker. They also walked down to the
"Donau." Gretel gave me her handy so we can keep in touch or so the kids
can call us.
On Monday we had breakfast at Pension Schreiber and
then went to "KlinikBogen." First Anthony had a bone density test. Later
came an EKG, Blood work and explanation of surgery. Several hours later,
Anthony had to drink two bottles of prep, (colon blow). When the young
nurse brought the second bottle, she giggled at Anthony's reaction.
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Same Wife Or Wives |
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Dirk was
with us when Dr. Bertagnoli and his assistant came in. He was very
approachable and friendly. He asked Anthony if he had any questions and
Anthony said no. I think this shocked Dirk, who then exchanged quite
a conversation with the doctor. Several things he asked. One was how
far Anthony could travel and about restrictions --
Dirk was convinced for
this was the right place for Anthony to come!
His assistant took a photo of Anthony and I with the doctor. The hospital wing is set up for medical
tourism to accommodate patients from around the globe. Some rooms have
one bed, others up to four to accommodate different cultures which
allowed multiple wives. Dirk said the reason they took a picture of us together was to make sure Anthony was matched back with the same
wife or wives. (Dirk didn't like Anthony's goatee). |
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Surgery | |
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Not long after we went to the coffee shop - all of us. You will never see a
hospital in America that also serves beer and wine! Shortly, we met the
anesthesiologist - very nice man. We watched James Bond "From Russia with
Love" and he fell asleep. "Thank You Lord for your goodness and your
faithfulness and we give you all praise and glory - I have no doubt you will
work wonders through this man.
At 6:30 A.M, the nurse came to prep
Anthony. I then lay beside him in his bed. At 8:00 A.M three nurses came in
and started to wheel him off. I said wait and I gave him a big kiss and said
I love you. Off they went down the hallway. Dirk and Gretel arrived later
and we all went to the Catholic church called Pilgrimage Church of Maria
Ascension. The three of us lit a candle for Anthony and wrote our prayers in
a book. Dirk's prayer moved me to tears. |
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Ah, He Has His Wife To Watch Over Him |
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We then walked down the
hill and had a lovely view of the Donau and the land below, woodpeckers,
hawks and birds. We then went to the hospital at 11 A.M. They said there
would be no word until 1:00 P.M. We left and then came back after 1:00 -
they said he was still in surgery. At 2 P.M we got word that he was stable
and in ICU. I told Dirk I would be alright and to go to Rosenheim, that I
would call.
I went to ICU at 2:45 P.M. Anthony had been through allot. I re-adjusted his blankets because he didn't keep his privates
private. His nurse is "Gret" - short for Margaret. She's great. Doctor
Bertagnolli appeared at 3:30 P.M. He said "Ah, he has his wife to watch over
him" Good! He noted that the MRI was not of the man he operated on. However,
he was confidant Anthony would greatly benefit
from the procedure.
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Star Trek |
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Wednesday, May 14. Up to ICU by 8:15 A.M - moved
back to regular room at 8:30 A.M. The doctor came by to check on him. All is
ok. He is also taken to have X-Rays done.
By Thursday he is watching
Star Trek Enterprise with Scott Bakula in German. By 9:30 P.M. he wants me
to shut off lights and computer and go to bed! Kinda bossy little guy
tonight! :) Besides, Anthony, other patients this week were from
Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Russia. |
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Next :
Successfully Found A Way
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