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Finally recieved the relief I desperately needed with help from Planethospital.
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After many years in pain I finally took the situation into my own hands and found assistance from Geoff at Planethospital. I am 47 year old woman who has been suffering with Spinal Stenosis and Spondylosthesis. I did all the necessary physio, spinal injections,
massage, acupuncture and kept myself in good physical shape all without any positive results. The constant pain just continued to get worse and worse. Throughout these years I was scheduled for several MRI's, and many whole day trips to see spinal specialists,
all resulting in being told, "Come back when you can no longer walk." and, "If you have a loss of bowel control, get into the hospital immediately!" These were all comments from one specialist that I went to for a three year period of time. He stated, "Your
too young to have spinal surgery." Well I disagreed, I am too young to live in pain every day all day, so I got another opinion in another prominent city with yet another spinal specialist. I was relieved to finally have someone say that I absolutely was a
candidate for surgery. However he told me I had to go through the protocol of his clinic and do the physio and medication ritual for a period of six months before he could send a requisition to the surgeon. Although I had been doing just that for a few years
I thought another six months is not long. I was prescribed the following for pain relief: Hydromorphine Gabapentine Cymbalta As well as taking medication for High blood pressure. (I am only 47, not overweight, do not smoke and stay physically fit.) For the
next three months I tried to get used to the medications, and although they did make my pain bearable, I felt disengaged, dizzy, and fatigued all the time. I had had enough and went and pleaded with the spinal specialist to send the requisition three months
early and he agreed. I was so excited and emotionally relieved............until I was told the wait to even see the surgeon for a consult would be at least a 6 month wait and another 1-2 years before the surgery. Again I felt totally defeated. I looked into
private clinics in Canada and was told they do not do the type of surgery I require, which was a spinal fusion and dysectomy. So I went on-line to research the USA and found that the cost there would be 60-100 thousand dollars!!! The daily pain and emotional
stress was all encompassing throughout my work day I was obsessed with finding a solution. Then one day a co-worker suggested traveling to India as they have reputable surgeons with minimal cost. That very day I began to research the Medical Tourism Industry.
I sent my initial MRI reports to several companies, and many got back to me the very next day. I was given alot of information regarding different hospitals, Neurosurgeons, as well as quotes for the surgery. It seemed like an impossible decision to make until
I received a call from Geoff at Planethospital. He was not only reassuring, but persistent and spoke English, as many others were difficult to understand. He promised me he would get me the best Neurosurgeon in this field and at the best possible cost. He
sent me information and set up a conversation with the surgeon that I chose. I was pleasantly surprised that the surgeon at the Columbia Asia Hospital in Bangalore India was easy to communicate with and reassured me that he definitely could fix my problem.
He described the procedure and what I could expect. Geoff continued to help me in getting my medical visa for myself and my two other companions and was available to assist me or address any concerns that I had. Unlike Canada I did not have to wait long and
booked to fly out within three weeks. I was so determined and confident in my decision that I had little to no fear in having this done. Everything went very smoothly; we were picked up from the airport by hospital staff and taken directly to the hospital
and had a meeting with my surgeon. We all agreed we felt very comfortable with, not only the surgeon, but the hospital as well. It was clean, modern and demonstrated very high security standards. The next day I had some preliminary test done that included
an ex-ray, MRI and blood work-up all in one day with the results back the very next day. Unheard of in Canada. Again the surgeon and I went over the results and directives and my surgery was scheduled for the next morning. While in the Hospital I was assigned
a personal liaison to assist with non-medical issues or concerns. He was very helpful in booking accommodations for myself and friends for the duration of our time in India. We were given cell phone numbers of both him as well as the surgeon. In addition the
nursing staff was fantastic, the food amazing and I felt great. Only issue was the day after surgery I was in alot of discomfort and found the staff and my surgeon reluctant to give enough pain medication to alleviate my pain, but after some persuasion I was
given enough to deal with it. It has been 5 weeks since my surgery and if asked if I would do it again I wouldn't do anything differently. We experienced so many wonderful people and saw so many incredibly beautiful places that, what should have been a negative
experience, was instead a trip I will never forget. Upon returning to Canada, Geoff of Planethospital was still corresponding with me to make sure everything went well. I am grateful for all the assistance and I believe that if Geoff was not as understanding
and persistent as he was, I would still be in pain and suffering mentally every day. I was at an all time low feeling hopeless and very depressed. I was very concerned about taking morphine for another two years waiting for Alberta health care. Oh, I almost
forgot.............the cost of surgery was; in total just under ten thousand dollars!! I have to say so worth it!! Thanks Geoff and Planethospital keep up the great work in helping people!!
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Business's response - by rudyrupakon 11/5/2013
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We are so delighted to be able to help, thank you!
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