Headed to Minnesota

[MW]

One thing I've found is that you don't necessarily need a rental car, especially if you're only there for a few days. There is a hotel shuttle that operates from RST and almost all hotels. You can get in at the desk by baggage claim, and it's $11.50/person. A taxi is a flat $25, so if you have 2+ folks, that is better option especially if the shuttle has a lot of folks in it.

For getting back to the airport, you can pick up the same shuttle at the Kahler Grand for the same price. They typically leave hourly during the day.

Either way, since all of the hotels a pretty close to the Clinic Buildings, and a lot of them connect via skyways and tunnels, getting around isn't too bad. You can then avoid the daily parking hassles.

Best,
MW

[wafloodzone]

jmar: Not sure how this is going to play out. One the first visit I'm seeing a surgeon, The next day I'm meeting with the "Brachial Plexus Team". I've also sent my records to Dr Mackinnon, I haven't heard back from them yet.

Thank you all for your input and hotel recommendations. I know it's still a month away but I'm already headed into panic mode. So much to get done. So much to figure out, and also making the choice of Dr's that will be the best at caring for my injury.

[jmar]

i am happy you are getting treatment. the best of luck to you. dont panic. instead use that energy to insisting on getting timely treatment. but if you have a bpi specialist, they know how important time is. if they tell you to wait and see, dont do it!! immediately go somewhere else. i have permanent problems because i waited too long.

[wafloodzone]

Thanks jmar. I'm going to send my records to Dr Mackinnon. I've heard she is also very good. Won't hurt. It's always good t have a backup plan.

[jmar]

it does take a while for dr mackinnon to respond, but she will. there are certain days they return calls. hang in there, your injury is still very new. it will get better with time.

[Fred4545]

Hi wafloodzone, jmar, and all: it was a very hectic but exciting day today! It started with an EMG, then final checkup on leg and pelvis (yea), final release from neurosurgeon on cervical fusion (no more neck brace...double yea), then to my appt with BPI specialist for assessment of EMG results. Of the 8 primary muscle groups tested, 2 showed good motor unit response while the other 6 showed none. Results-only prognosis was not very favorable but I showed him that I can bend my arm at the elbow, flex my bicep, shrug my shoulders, and move my extended arm to about 30 degrees away from body both sideways and to the front. I cannot extend it backwards nor do I have any movement or sensation in my triceps, most of forearm, and complete hand and fingers. Also, due to atrophy of my shoulder muscles, I now have a very painful subluxation (dislocation) of the shoulder that is really hampering my PT and risking any future improvement.

Once the Dr finished the physical exam, we talked at length and he said my physical abilities were better than expected so he has me scheduled for a more thorough test tomorrow that includes chest, shoulder and neck areas. He also scheduled me for surgery on 12/8 to perform a Spinal accessory to supra scapular nerve transfer so that I recover my shoulder strength and gain ability to lift and rotate my arm. This will provide for improved Range of motion and PT results. We also discussed options regarding my arm and hand function, but some of it depends on tomorrow's test so he knows what is useful and what isn't. Dr will also be discussing my results and treatment options with colleagues at Washington School of Medicine in St Louis as he trained under Dr's MacKinnon and Tung.

Has anyone else had the supra-scapular nerve transfer as one of your early treatment steps like I'm doing? I feel like I've really made some progress today and I feel a little better about having a plan. I know it can change quickly but I'm prepared to deal with it, and my Dr said he will assist me in getting other opinions and/ or appointments setup at St. Louis or Mayo for future needs as desired.

Sorry for the long post but it was a long day and a lot happened. I hope all is going well with each of you.

Best Regards.

[jmar]

GREAT NEWS!!! glad you are better than expected. hope your arm responds well to the surgeries. keep us posted. if your dr was trained by dr mackinnon, i would highly trust him.