bertram31.com

Just figured I'd let evryone know that tomorrow I will be having my back surgery done. I have put this off long enough and need to do something to get my life back on track. Being out of work & at home for 24 of the last 37 months has dragged me down both financially and emotionally.
Also the loss of my father in March, and the present declining health of my mother, have been behind my putting this off for so long.

Will be having a laminectomy and trimming of the discs at...
L3/4....L4/5....L5/S1....

I will be going to NY University Hospital, Center for Joint Diseases.
Arriving at 6am, surgery at 7:30, in recovery by 12, and walking shortly after, according to the surgeon. Maybe 1 to 4 days if needed in the hospital.
If all goes as planned, I hope to be back to work in mid November, and back in/on the water next summer.

Harv...

You have had a tough year, that is for sure! Lets hope the operation will be the beginning of a better one.

I wish you all the best possible success in your operation! We will all be looking for news from you as soon as you are able to get back online!

Frank

Harv- You'll be glad you did. Take it from a guy who could hardly walk a year and a half ago! All the best! Walter

Harv

I had L4/5 done last summer and walked out of the hospital that night. Good luck.

Harv, you got my number. Call me if I can be any help.

Good Luck and all the best to you

Tim

good luck harv.....we're all hoping for the best outcome

Good luck to you Harv.

Your Brothers in Bertram are in your corner.


Rit

Good luck to you also Harv..

From the Bertram gang in Paradise..

Harv

Good luck with the surgery. I am sure it will make a big differance in how you feel.

harv i am writing this post with right hand in cast from surgery.knee will go under scapel shortly.wife had back surgery 2 months ago she looks great.nothing to worry about just a little bump in the road of life.call me when you feel up to it got to go out that inlet while the waves are still crazy.phoenix is begging to turn h er e loose in it.

Good luck Harv
Ya can't keep a good man down very long......again good luck

Harry

Harv,

Good luck & get well soon!

Br,

Patrick

Harv I will be thinking about you. Good luck and let me know how it goes. Ill send you some lobster salad to help you mend.

Harv,

Good luck my friend. I hope you find yourself much more comfortable!

Dug

Best luck......That Bertram needs you back in shape

Harv,
Lobster on me when you get out. May have to wait until next Atlantic City but it gives you plenty of time to recover. Take it from one who has had more surgery than a Marine division in Iraq, Be sick, lie around! Don't try to be a hero and get up. Give yourself plenty of time to recover before thinking about going fishing. Oh, alright, think about it but stay put. You'll get well quicker.

My mother in law went into NYU a few years ago for a similar procedure. She could hardly walk in, as the pain was so severe, then walked out the next day and has not had a problem since.

I wish you the same results.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Regards,
Carl

Good luck Harv! From what I hear I think you will be glad that you went ahead and did it! Get well quick my friend!

Best wishes and a quick recovery.

Harv,

Best wishes for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery.

-John

good luck harv, you will be as good as new again

Harv, best wishes and good luck. So next month let's get the engine situation fixed too.

Harv,

I am a new guy to this group but I send best wishes and a prayer for good results and a speedy recovery.

I had spinal surgery 2 years ago and everything is perfect. I pray that yours goes as well.

I'll be looking for your report on the site.

Sotally tober (Jeff)

Harv,
Good luck,get well soon.................Best Regards,
Bill G/Quota II

Best Wishes and get well soon.
Pat and Charlie

Harv

We know that you have had a rough year and that things will only get better. The surgery will be a sucess and you will be back on your feet pain free in no time. Will give you a buzz in a few days to see how you are doing.

Your friends

John & Pam

Good luck Harv, Mike Moran

Harv wrote:
Will be having a laminectomy and trimming of the discs at...
L3/4....L4/5....L5/S1....

Harv

As I mentioned earlier I had L4/5 done last year and as fate would have it I just had L3/4 done yesterday and was discharged today. The procedure took 1 1/2 hours as did the one last year. I should be as good as new once the sworeness and swelling subsides. If you have any questions please feel free to drop me a line.

Jon

New plan of action is to go for one month of spinal decompression on a VaxD decompression machine. Personally, I think it's smoke & mirrors, but I have heard of some people getting relief this way, without surgery.

Maybe it is smoke and mirrors, but if you get relief without surgery it is worth a shot. My wife wanted to have surgery on her back (several hernaited or bulging discs sp?), went to her moms surgean at NYU. He told her to use surgery only as a last result and extinguish every other avenue first. He offered several alternatives. For my wife rigerous (sp?) physical therepy and pain management worked and has the back under control.

Wish you the best of luck Harv.

Carl

My surgeon called me today and said it was worth a shot, although he believes the relief may only be temporary. I've heard the same thing about surgery. However, my surgery wasn't complex, it was to be just a trimming of the bulging discs to relieve the pressure from the nerves.
Keeping my fingers crossed that this works.

Harv, I hope it workes for you. Just be carefull you dont get that big tongue caught in that machine.

Brew,

all you need to worry about this big tongue is how much lobster you can pass across it.

Harv,
Yesterday while working on America's Most Wanted the makeup person was telling me a similar story and her surgeon, head of surgery at Johns-Hopkins, told her before surgery we'll try this. Works many time and eliminates the knife.
Worth a shot, pal.