Re: Germany questions

From: Chuck Butman (Chuckbcpa@email.msn.com)
Fri Jun 2 20:09:03 2000


The curling iron can be bought there for about 7 dollars. It is a different system. Only towels to be brought, no linen. They change the bed every day. You take a taxi to the hospital for I think 6 dollars or the bus. The bus goes right to the hospital. I experimented on my 4th day post op and took the bus around town. You only need a passport, that is it. The cost for the food is exactly the same as here. There are even Pizza Huts and Burger King. There is a burger king right next to the hotel. The hotel gives a great buffet breakfast. Let me know if there are any more questions. Joanne

>----- Original Message -----
From: Bernie and Beverly Doucette <bnb@cybrzn.com> To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net> Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2000 1:37 PM Subject: Re: Germany questions

> Hello Joanne,
> Is the electricity different over there? Like, can I take my own curling
> iron..or do they have some I can but that will work there? And what about
> this towel bussiness..we take our own linens? Is it requiered that the
> patient remain in the hospital following the adhesiolysis if there is no
> complications? Also, how did you get from the hotel to the hospital, if
Mary > stays in therer, I will have to travel to and from. Also..what about food
> costs for a visitor...where would I eat etc...?
>
> 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
> > > > > > >
> > > > > go
> > > > > > > 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
> > >
> > > to the unsubscribe form at

http://www.adhesions.org/forums/listcmds.htm > > >
> >
>


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