Also, did you have to be granted permission from the German government to go into there for surgery? If so, HOW??
Thank-you very much..as if this goes for Mary in Canada, Joanne, you will have saved her life!!! Where was your adhesional involvement please..upper abdoman or lower? Korell is an OB/GYN..can he perform surgery on upper abdomen problems without any gyn involvement?
In friendship Bev
>----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck Butman <Chuckbcpa@email.msn.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2000 9:34 PM
Subject: Re: Germany questions
> Hi Bev, I am so glad that you have contacted Dr. Korell. I had been to
> Europe 3 times before but not since 1974 and never to Germany. I went on
a
> college internship to Denmark and to Greece and France in my teen years.
I
> loved it so much. Germany is the same, beautiful, friendly and quaint.
As
> soon as I landed in Dusseldorf I felt a calm come over me. It is so safe
> there. I made a mistake when I boarded the plane in San Diego and took
two
> Trazadone ( an antideppressant that I take at night that helps me sleep).
I
> normally take 1/2 and so it knocked me out. I slept the whole way, both
> plane flights and so when I arrived I couldn't wait to go shopping even
> though it was 3:00 in the morning my time. It turned out to be the best
> mistake and so I did it on the way home also. My friend Evi could not
help
> you unless you wanted to call her. She is a 7 hour train ride across the
> country. She found Dr. Korell when he worked in Munich but then he got
> promoted to chief of staff in Duisburg. By the way, the hospital has a
> cafetreria, small store and hair salon. The money that I brought was in
> german travelers checks. I would suggest getting some german money for
the
> train. If you are not on a budget you could take a cab to the hospital.
> You will need 2 thousand in cash when you get there in german money so go
> one day early as I did and find a bank that exchanges travelers checks.
Not
> all of them do as I found out but the 2nd one did and the one up the
street
> from the hospital does. I am so happy that I can help some of you. I
> didn't write sooner because I took two very difficult classes at a college
> this semester and just got out last week. I went to Germany on my spring
> break. I was a nurse for 19 years and now I want to be a graphic
designer.
> I hate our medical sytem here. Nothing but lires and insensitive doctors.
> I am through!! Got to go. Keep in touch. Joanne
>> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Bernie and Beverly Doucette <bnb@cybrzn.com>
> To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
> Sent: Friday, May 19, 2000 11:24 AM
> Subject: Re: Germany questions
>
> > IF a person was to foillow in your footsteps, Joanne,
> > Would your friend in Munich assist others, of good character that is,
once
> > they got threr? Do you know? It sounds like you have been in Europe
> before,
> > was that in Germany?
> >
> > When your speaking of money amounts, is that in American dollers?
> >
> > Please respond..
> > I have communicated twice with Dr. Korell and like what I am hearing so
> > far...with one exception, but not everything will be what I want to hear
> and
> > one out of ten sure isn't bad!!! :-)
> >
> > In friendship
> > Bev
>> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Chuck Butman <Chuckbcpa@email.msn.com>
> > To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
> > Sent: Friday, May 19, 2000 12:18 PM
> > Subject: Re: Germany questions
> >
> > > I'll do the best I can to answer all these. I went alone to Germany
as
> I
> > > have no money after 21/2 years on disability. I went in the winter so
> > thaat
> > > I could get the air rate of 500 dollars (from San Diego and back). I
> do
> > > not speak a word of German. This was VERY scary for me. Dr. Korell's
> > > secretary booked a very inexpensive room for me at an Ibis hotel.
This
> > > hotel was connected to the train station. I got German money from the
> > bank
> > > of America or you can go to any money changer.before you leave. I
made
> a
> > > mistake and did not bring any cash, only travelers checks. When you
get
> > out
> > > of the airport, there is a bank but there is also a line. The train
> > station
> > > is attached to the airport. It is on an honor system. You put in
your
> > > money and a ticket will come out. I took 2 trains, one to the center
of
> > > Dusseldorf ( the city that I flew in to) and then another to Duisburg
> > > where the hospital is.) But I could have taken just one but it comes
> > less
> > > often (on the hour) God sent an angel to be with me at that moment.
A
> > > scottish girl walked down the stairs to the train station behind me
and
> > > helped me with my ticket (she bought it for me as I still did not have
> > > German money). When I got to Duisburg ( it was noon in Germany) i
asked
> > for
> > > the Ibis hotel and almost all people speak English. I did some
studying
> > > before I left and carried a dictionary with me. I was amazed that the
> > hotel
> > > was right there. I checked in and was so excited to be back in
Europe,
> > that
> > > I went shopping right away. The hotel is connected to the downtown
> > shopping
> > > street. I had a great time and found a bank to change my money. I
> > checked
> > > in with Dr. Korell's secretary, Carmen, who speaks english, at 9:00
am.
> I
> > > carried one suitcase on wheels. It was perfect. The room had a
closet
> > > with plenty of room. We went to the cashiers office where I paid for
5
> > days
> > > room. (2 thousand dollars). In Germany, they do not kick you out like
> > they
> > > do here. I paid Dr. Korell after the surgery. I made a check out to
> him
> > > for too much money and so now I am stil awaiting a refund. But the
> > surgery
> > > was only around 1,500. There is a bank about a mile from the hospital
> > that
> > > will cash travelers checks. So you could take a taxi there before you
> > check
> > > out to pay Dr. Korell. That way, you will not have all that cash with
> > you.
> > > The nurses were great! I loved the whole experience. Only a few
spoke
> > > english well but we laughed so much trying to make conversation. It
is
> > very
> > > different from an American hospital as it is more like a hotel. You
> > should
> > > bring your own towels. The nurses only take blood pressures in the
> > morning.
> > > The rest of the time, they don't bug you. I had 2 roomates and we did
> > well
> > > with communication. On the 5th day, I toured the city on the bus
which
> > > picked me up outside the hospital. Remember that I had 2 surgeries
and
> > was
> > > in a little more pain than you will be. But treat yourself to the 5
> days.
> > > I brought books on tape so that I could hear my language. You wil not
> be
> > > able to understand the TV. It was great. I felt like a pioneer and
> hoped
> > > that someday, I could help others too. I have always been very brave.
> > You
> > > will only need a passport and no visa. I brought my own pain meds and
> > took
> > > care of that myself as I was on 100 mgs a day of Methadone and 3,000
mgs
> > of
> > > Neurontin to stop the shaking of the trapped nerve. They did give me
> > > something to help me sleep the night before. I woke up after surgery
> > right
> > > in my own hospital bed. No recovery room. If you bring a companion,
> they
> > > could stay at the Ibis, at about 60 dolars a night. The taxi from the
> > hotel
> > > was about 6 dollars or so. I have a dear friend who found Dr. Korell
> for
> > me
> > > and lives in Munich. I took the train to Munich for another 5 days
and
> > flew
> > > hme from there. I hope all this helps you. I loved my experience in
> > > Duisberg. And I love the way I feel now. No more adhesions! I hope
> this
> > > helped you. Joanne
>> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Bernie and Beverly Doucette <bnb@cybrzn.com>
> > > To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2000 6:20 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Karla N's questions about Joanne B's surgery in
Germany...
> > >
> > > > Joanne, Would you please give me a total breakdown of the costs
> invloved
> > > > here. I have already communicated with Dr. Korell as of today. I had
a
> > few
> > > > more questions for him and I am sure he will get back to me timely
on
> > > those
> > > > as well.
> > > >
> > > > What I need from you is this:
> > > > Do you speak German?
> > > > How did you communicate with the hospital staff, did they speak
> English
> > > and
> > > > German? Was a translator present at all times with you?
> > > > The cost of the flight to and from Germany.
> > > > How did you get from the airport to wherevere you stayed..and where
> was
> > > > that, as well as the cost?
> > > > How and what arrangements did you make prior to going over to
Germany:
> > > > Hotels, airlines, transportation, translators? And all costs
> > involvements
> > > > with these, please.
> > > > Did you need a visa? If so, what did you get it under, Medical? and
> for
> > > how
> > > > long?
> > > > Did a companion go with you? If so, where didn they stay and for how
> > much
> > > in
> > > > American currency. Did you have to get your money exchanged for the
> DM?
> > > > You stated you were in patient, ( at least you seemed to indicate
that
> > as
> > > > you mentioned a room rate for the hospital )
> > > > Where did your companion eat, etc...how much was that all total?
> > > >
> > > > That is what I need at this time. If I have any more questions,
I'll
> > get
> > > > back to you.
> > > > Please place your answers on the forum if you would.
> > > >
> > > > In friendship
> > > > Bev Doucette
>> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: Chuck Butman <Chuckbcpa@email.msn.com>
> > > > To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS
<adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
> > > > Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2000 5:10 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: Karla N's questions about Joanne B's surgery in
> Germany...
> > > >
> > > > > I really can't answer most of those questions. I have reread my
> > > surgical
> > > > > report which was much lengthier in German. Dr. Korell uses "sharp
> > > > > disection" to remove the adhesions to prevent regrowth. He writes
> > that
> > > he
> > > > > used "extensive irrigation" before instlling the Intergel. It
looks
> > as
> > > > > though the total price for his surgery was 2,175 DM which is half
> that
> > > > > amount in our dollars. That includes all tests, exams, photos
etc.
> > > > Again,
> > > > > the room was 350 dollars a day. I have a comlete breakdown of
> costs.
> > I
> > > > > wish I could help more but as I said before, feel free to e-mail
> him.
> > > > > Joanne
>> > > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > > From: Helen Dynda <olddad66@runestone.net>
> > > > > To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS
> <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
> > > > > Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2000 10:47 PM
> > > > > Subject: Karla N's questions about Joanne B's surgery in
Germany...
> > > > >
> > > > > > Joanne, You were unable to find Karla's questions about your
> surgery
> > > in
> > > > > > Germany, because Karla was using Beverly's
> > ( bnb@cybrzn.com )computer.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Karla, I hope you don't mind that rearranged and numbered the
> > > questions,
> > > > > > which you had about Joanne's surgery in Germany.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Karla's letter was addressed to:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Toni
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Did you happen to read the message yesterday from Joanne? She
flew
> > to
> > > > > > Germany where they used the Intergel...for much cheaper than it
> > would
> > > be
> > > > > > here. She feels that she has been cured of her adhesions and I
> > think
> > > > > > that if that is true...we have much to hope for. However, I do
> not
> > > > > > think that Intergel will be approved here in the states. One of
> the
> > > > > > reasons it was denied for use was the increased likelihood of
> > > infection
> > > > > > following the placement of the intergel. I personally feel that
> ten
> > > > > > weeks post op is way
> > > > > > too soon to say we are cured of adhesions...I am sure Joanne is
> > > feeling
> > > > > > like a new woman, but I wouldn't throw caution to the wind in
> saying
> > > > > > that I was cured if it were me. We all know how pain from
> adhesions
> > > can
> > > > > > show up...just when we least expect it. It can take up to a
> couple
> > of
> > > > > > years for the pain to show up. Another patient had the same
> > procedure
> > > > > > done over in Germany and is now worse off. I don't know whether
> one
> > > > > > should take the chance or not...it is up to the individual.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 1.) I know that I would like to know just what procedure this
> doctor
> > > > > > used?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 2.) Did he use clot evacuation?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 3.) Did he leave any Ringers solution in at the end of the
> > procedure?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 4.) What was this doctor's theory on adhesions?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > 5.) What does he feel causes adhesions to form?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > These are all answers that I need to have before I can consider
> > taking
> > > > > > this step. I would love to get back to Germany...I lived there
> for
> > a
> > > > > > couple of years and what better of an opportunity.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Karla
> > > > > >
> > > > > > to the unsubscribe form at
> > > http://www.adhesions.org/forums/listcmds.htm
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > to the unsubscribe form at
> > http://www.adhesions.org/forums/listcmds.htm
> > > >
> > > > to the unsubscribe form at
> http://www.adhesions.org/forums/listcmds.htm
> > > >
> > >
> > > to the unsubscribe form at
http://www.adhesions.org/forums/listcmds.htm
> >
>