JOYCE'S STORY:

I am 53 years old and have suffered in severe lower back pain for over 4 years.  I have not been able to work for 3 years.  Last fall I was bed ridden.  I would cry almost all the time because of the pain and the pain meds was not working.  This was not life.  When I would lose control of the pain I would have to go to ER and receive morphine through an IV.  I was on daily morphine, lidocaine, Vicodin, Norco, Valium, Flexerial and other pain meds.  My pain management doctor also tried nerve root injections.  Total of 16 injections.  The injections would only last a week or two.  To get around I would use my cane or crutches or walker or wheel chair.  I also had a lot of nerve damage, bladder problems, circulation problems, my feet would be like blocks of ice even in the summer and my big toes were black.

 

Before October 2000 I was involved at my church.  I was a Sunday school teacher for grades 5 thru 8, Director of the Children's Christmas program, taught upper elementary at Vacation Bible school and typed the monthly newsletter for the church.  I would organize events like weddings, receptions, parties, etc.  My family and friends are an important part of my life.  We spent much time together camping, tubing, and doing other activities.  In four years I watched my life deteriorate to nothing but tears and pain.  I was in my own world, "pain".

 

My low back pain began October 2000, two months before my uterus and rectum prolapsed through the vagina.  After my hysterectomy and rectum repair the back pain increased.  A year later I was sent to a chiropractor.  My condition deteriorated.  During that time the doctors refused to have x-rays ordered.  I seen 15 different doctors.  Most would only look over the previous doctor's report, look at me, and say, "you are just fat and lazy" and that I was just using this make believe pain to get attention.  I'm only 25 pounds over the ideal weight guideline.  I was labeled "psychosomatic".  Spring of 2004 a spine specialist ordered a reflex x-ray.  WOW, there is a vertebra not aligned, it's called spondylolisthesis.  August of 2004, I had a disco gram for L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1.  The disco gram was hell and then some.  The L3/L4 disc was bulging, the L4/5 & L5/S1 discs was half gone.  Bone rubbing on bone.  I also had a lot of nerve damage.  One doctor wanted to burn six nerves, three on each side of the lumbar spine.  I said NO.  I knew in my mind if the discs were fixed it would take care of the nerve damage.

 

I lived in agony.  I came to a point where I could not stand, walk or sit for more than a few minutes without changing positions.  I have heard so many horror stories about fusion that I knew this was not an option for me.  There has to be something else or someone that can help me.

 

My family had contacted doctors from all over the U.S.  No one could or would help me.  I was to live the rest of my life getting worse.  All the doctors could do was make me as comfortable as possible.  The U.S. doctors had said that I am high risk, the success rate is less than 30% or worse, it would be an 8 - 10 hour surgery, and they were afraid that they would only make me worse.  If I had surgery, it would be multi 3-level fusion.

 

My family found this website on the Internet about Stenum.  I chose Stenum because it was an actual Orthopedic Hospital and not just a clinic and also they gave me a total package price so no surprises.

 

 

The flight to Germany and back to the U.S. was not an easy trip.  Most of the time I was pretty much out of it.  My husband made arrangements for us to have a wheelchair, wheel chair escort, and handicap seating on the plane.  Also, I sat on my air pillow to decrease the feel of the vibration of the plane and I wore my full (neck to butt) back brace to keep my back straight and together.

 

Mr. Malte Peterson had kept in contact with me and answering my many questions.  The staff at Stenum Hospital is most helpful and very friendly.  When I was in pain they give me a shot  or something else right away.

 

Dr. Zechel, Dr. Ritter-Lang and Dr. Schoder took four hours to do the necessary procedure to give me back my life.  I no longer have problems with the nerves (except for one nerve), the bladder is functioning as it should, I have great circulation in my legs, feet, and my big toes are of normal color.  My cane, crutches and walker is now collecting dust in the corner of the living room or my 4 grandkids are playing with them.  I do not need a wheel chair.  I was in the hospital for 12 days and at the Hilton Hotel for 10 days.   During pre-surgery, surgery,  and post-surgery my needs was always met quickly, like I was a V.I.P. of some sort.

 

The staff at the Hilton Hotel was also very friendly and helpful.  After a few days recovery at the hotel I began to venture outside.  I was able to walk and see some of the local sights like the Market Square, St. Petri Cathedral, the Schnoor Quarter and many other sights in the historic city.  I was able to see many statues and other items about the tale of "The Musicians of Bremen".  This tale can be found in Grimms Fairy Tale book.  The day before I left Germany I was able to take a two hour bus tour of Bremen.  We made several stops like at the Historical Museum.

 

Most everyone does speak some English.  The biggest communication problem we had was trying to order a chocolate shake at Burger King.  I seem to always get some other flavor except chocolate.

 

Thank you to the wonderful staff at Stenum for giving me back my life.  I can now enjoy life, laugh, and participate in activities with my family, friends and church.