Thread: The frail human body, how easily it's hurt......

I know top surgeon/specialists charge like wounded bulls for what they do, but its when you are in a bad situation, as you obviously are, you can see there worth. I am very lucky with my Cardiologist in that he only bulk bills me. If not my cardiomyopothy would have cost us thousands over the last few years. I believe the defib in my chest is worth over 6grand without the cost of all the eco,s and follow ups etc, I have been very lucky I think, financially anyway.

Allan

Hi Dave

I opted to not have surgery, as my GP thought that my ruptured L5 was too awkward to operate on, with a low rate of success in similar operations.

I am now on the improve after three years and can stand and walk about all day while working, it's just the ground is still a long way down if I drop something.

I used to hate the cramps and spasms when the injury first became bad and found in my case using a Physio aggravated the injury.

So time is another cure.
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Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

Hi Dave

I opted to not have surgery, as my GP thought that my ruptured L5 was too awkward to operate on, with a low rate of success in similar operations.

For me, the L5/S1 disc is torn, and the two vertebrae are overlapping, with part of the disc remnant pushed out to the rear, and part bulging out towards the front. One of the MRI pictures show the spinal cord being compressed into a triangular shape by the bulge.

Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

I am now on the improve after three years and can stand and walk about all day while working, it's just the ground is still a long way down if I drop something.

I used to hate the cramps and spasms when the injury first became bad and found in my case using a Physio aggravated the injury.

So time is another cure.
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It's surprising how much has to change once you can no longer bend in the middle. Like I'm now familiar with socks only in a theoretical sense, rather than a practical, actually put some on kind of sense.

Perhaps I'm lucky with the physio, but with a combination of techniques (plus the drugs have helped) she has controlled the muscle spasms. So now I'm just left with the nerve problem that manifests itself via a numb buttock, a tingly foot, or some point in between.

I would dearly love to get to the neurosurgeon on Friday, and for him to tell me that leaving it alone will be the best option after all.

Originally Posted by sheerluck

So now I'm just left with the nerve problem that manifests itself via a numb buttock, a tingly foot, or some point in between.

The weirdest sensation is the left leg feeling cold and the right leg feeling hot at the same instance, yet when touching both with your hand their temperature's feel quite normal.

That tingling with me was more like feeling ants running up and down inside your leg and yes, that numb lump hanging off the side of your body.
Occasionally I still get a mild dose of those symptoms, but I have weaned myself off the pain killers and antidepressants which followed for the depression that led from those treatment of that pain, so finger crossed that the severe pain stays away.
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Originally Posted by Allan

I know top surgeon/specialists charge like wounded bulls for what they do, but its when you are in a bad situation, as you obviously are, you can see there worth. I am very lucky with my Cardiologist in that he only bulk bills me. If not my cardiomyopothy would have cost us thousands over the last few years. I believe the defib in my chest is worth over 6grand without the cost of all the eco,s and follow ups etc, I have been very lucky I think, financially anyway.

Allan

That is cheap, the auto gearbox for the Peugeot cost $6000 + surgery labour and a hip replacement for a large dog $4000

When the Orthopedic specialist saw me in hospital he said that he was ready for the knife and to go and see him when I am ready.
Bugger him! I rather see "Dr Johny Walker" before jump on the table.
A second opinion by a neurosurgeon told me to came back and see him when a wheel chair was only the way to move.
I have L4/L5 and L5/S1 kaput plus 2 in the cervical spine
During that time I remember one poor bugger that when for a fusion of the L5/S1 and the "Dr" perforated his guts with the drill

Originally Posted by Chucaro

That is cheap, the auto gearbox for the Peugeot cost $6000 + surgery labour and a hip replacement for a large dog $4000

At what point do you call enough?

I don't want to prolong my life if the outcome of treatment is doubtful, the financial burden is to be considered and I wouldn't want to pass that cost on to my wife in the vain hope that I may live for years extra after a treatment.

I am not talking euthanasia here, but living a quality life within your families means.

Separate issue;
We do love dearly our pets, but I will not go past the point of disfiguring a pet, again for vanity.
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Originally Posted by wrinklearthur

At what point do you call enough?

I don't want to prolong my life if the outcome of treatment is doubtful, the financial burden is to be considered and I wouldn't want to pass that cost on to my wife in the vain hope that I may live for years extra after a treatment.

I am not talking euthanasia here, but living a quality life within your families means.

Separate issue;
We do love dearly our pets, but I will not go past the point of disfiguring a pet, again for vanity.
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Arthur, my post was not address to any person in particular but just expressing my point of view that medical cost are cheap compared to other expenses that we have in life.
For that reason I brought as an example the cost of veterinary fees.
Many people complain how much charge a GP and do not think twice in having a pet and pay $80 for a consultation or more for the vet.
I, personally will live at a 3rd country standards before leave some of my love ones short of exploring any medical option.
Then again we all have different priorities in life and I respect that.