Rob...appreciate your encouragement. I won't give up. Mike
I have set up my appointment with Dr. McLaughlin in a month. Thanks to everyone for your input on this thread. It has been extremely valuable.
Rob,
I want to tell you how inspiring your story is. I am new to this website this week and what a week it has been. My neurologist led me to believe that I was one of only a few in the world that had gpn!! I truly felt alone. The only option I felt I had was gamma knife which I didn't have confidence in its probability to work. I have been dealing with this pain since approx 1999. Now I am so excited about your succes and the other success stories I have read about. The possibility of life without this constant pain is so exciting. Life was becoming so sad and with all of the doping that the drugs were doing I could rarely think straight.
I loved when you talked about wrestling and making it happen. That was something I can understand and relate to coming from a wrestling family I breath wrestling. My brother wrestled in high school and college, my husband and middle son wrestled in high school and my husband coached our township youth program for years. We still follow and support a few local kids in their wrestling endeavers. "Make it happen" sums up wrestling and will be my new motto for life. It is a great one.
I am also worried that I have waited too long for MVD as another reader stated. She also had gpn for over 10 years like myself and said she was no longer a candidate because she had waited too long. ?? Do you have any thoughts on that? Do you think Dr. McLaughlin could possibly help me even though I have had gpn for 13 years??
God Bless you and your family for sharing your story and congratulations on your sucessful surgery.
Holly
Hi Holly,
It’s time for you to listen to your heart and not to those who offer negative responses. I was at Dr. McLaughlin’s yesterday for a follow up and I was telling him these stories like yours. He was unaware of this resource but had genuine concern for those that receive improper information. Please, please call his office today and tell him you are being referred by Dr. Ron Conenello and would like an opportunity to speak to him. If you have any problems getting through to him and I will reach out to him for you.
The reality is that not all will be as successful as me but your life is worth trying. I’ll give you another great quote. I work as the Global Clinical Advisor for Special Olympics International. These are an extremely motivating group of athletes. Their montra is …“Let me win…if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt!”
Be brave!
Rob Conenello
what a great note Holly!
Holly said:
Rob,
I want to tell you how inspiring your story is. I am new to this website this week and what a week it has been. My neurologist led me to believe that I was one of only a few in the world that had gpn!! I truly felt alone. The only option I felt I had was gamma knife which I didn't have confidence in its probability to work. I have been dealing with this pain since approx 1999. Now I am so excited about your succes and the other success stories I have read about. The possibility of life without this constant pain is so exciting. Life was becoming so sad and with all of the doping that the drugs were doing I could rarely think straight.
I loved when you talked about wrestling and making it happen. That was something I can understand and relate to coming from a wrestling family I breath wrestling. My brother wrestled in high school and college, my husband and middle son wrestled in high school and my husband coached our township youth program for years. We still follow and support a few local kids in their wrestling endeavers. "Make it happen" sums up wrestling and will be my new motto for life. It is a great one.
I am also worried that I have waited too long for MVD as another reader stated. She also had gpn for over 10 years like myself and said she was no longer a candidate because she had waited too long. ?? Do you have any thoughts on that? Do you think Dr. McLaughlin could possibly help me even though I have had gpn for 13 years??
God Bless you and your family for sharing your story and congratulations on your sucessful surgery.
Holly
Dear Rob,
Do you think Dr. McLaughlin would review my Fiesta Study MRI/MRA films via mail before I make a visit? Does a Neurosurgeon see a compression of the GN on a study or sometimes is it only seen during surgery?
Thank you again for your time and kindness,
Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I don't want to answer for Dr. MsLaughlin but I do believe he would. He would be the person to better answer these questions. He is a great guy.
Keep me posted,
Rob
Having my first appointment with Dr. McLaughlin today. I am so excited. Thanks for your encouragement.
Holly
best of luck Holly!
Holly,
Tell the good doctor I said hello. Let me know how things go. I am excited for you!
Rob C.
Rob,
I just got back and would love to say I had good news but unfortunately the good doctor had to cancel at the last minute. He had a child with a brain aneurysm that needed immediate surgery. I pray that all goes well for this child during surgery. I hate to admit, in-light of this families plight I was still crushed after my husband drove me an hour and a half to the appointment and being so excited to finally meet him that my hopes were cut down at the last second. But, ... I have rescheduled for next week and I'll be positive about that. This appointment is going to happen !
Thanks Scott,
My appointment was cancelled. Mr. McLaughlin had an emergency surgery scheduled. All of his afternoon appointments were cancelled as we arrived. So sorry to hear about this poor child with an aneurysm. May everyone please offer prayers for a successful surgery please. I rescheduled for next week. It was quite a let down but ...I'll see him next week. Thanks for your support. Hopefully he will be able to help me when I do get in to see him. I am praying that the MS is not going to be a mitigating factor.
Holly
Sorry you didn't get to have your appointment. I had one with him last month and it went well. Unfortunately, due to insurance, I am shopping for another doctor in network. I think you'll be pleased with your meeting when it occurs. He has an excellent bedside manner. Good luck.
Thanks, I am hoping for a good outcome, mainly some pain relief, aren't we all. It seems that everyone seems to have great things to say about Dr. McLaughlin which is why I was so excited about my appointment but all things in good time I keep telling myself. I hope you find one that works out for you, good luck to you too.
Holly
Hey Holly. You are entitltled to be frustrated, but let that negative energy go. Consider this a small speed bump. Dr. Mclaughlin is worth the wait. My surgery was only a short time ago and I am back to my old self and feeling great. Hang in there.
Rob
Holly...we are all rooting and/or praying for a good outcome for you! Keep us posted, never mind this small delay, stuff happens.
rmc said:
Hey Holly. You are entitltled to be frustrated, but let that negative energy go. Consider this a small speed bump. Dr. Mclaughlin is worth the wait. My surgery was only a short time ago and I am back to my old self and feeling great. Hang in there.
Rob
Hey everyone, I'm good, I know yesterday was just a small bump in the road. I have a mini-vacation that I am leaving for in the morning and before I know it I'll be back and it will be time for my appointment again. I am going to see Dr. McLaughlin and I'm just praying that he will offer me some great news and some relief for my gpn. Again, thank you everyone for the kind words. I'm off to SD to breath some fresh air, hike a little, take in the mountain views and relax.
Holly