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Thank you, Erika.

Wow!

I e-mailed Dr. Simka 3 days ago, and received a reply this morning.

Jitters, excitement, trepidation (is it my veins that causes the MS?) I really wish I could get the scans in Canada (so I would know that I have the problem), before flying myself and my family to Poland, but I am so ready to take a leap of faith - so much better than a leap off a bridge (grin).

I will start a thread about all of this when I recover from my excitement...

These are the costs that Dr. Simka sent to me:

An average cost of liberation operation is 5000 US$ / 3500EUR / 5500 CAD$

MRV 150-200 EUR

Doppler 50 EUR

That's great news Johnson, welcome to the Dr Simka fan club! When are you planning on going?

I fly out on the 15th.

Wow how great! You know what is neat about that is the costs are something a person can imagine doing and no devastating the family to accomplish your goal.

Thanks Mutley and mrhodes40.

I am so excited, I think I'm going to have an exacerbation...

The kind Doctor wrote to e-mail him next week, when they are doing the scheduling for 2010. He wrote that it would be 7-10 weeks from then. That works well for me, because I haven't felt much like traveling in the last few years, and have a lapsed passport. Canada drags its heels in getting a new one. So, It's looking like sometime in February. That will get us away from the Olympics mayhem too.

Yes, mrhodes40, the cost is something that can be handled relatively easily for me, and for that I am thankful beyond words. If I can work again, I can pay that off in little time.

I have been thinking a lot of those who can't afford to do it. The cost is brutal in the US. My cognitive functions have taken a pounding the last few of years (actually, the last 16), but my hope is to regain a lot of that, have some energy, and start thinking of some kind of trust fund(raising) for those who cannot afford it. I always think that there has to be "a reason" behind things - including having MS, and nobody should not have treatment because they don't have money (or credit).

As you will soon see from my posts, I am rather loquacious, but I hope I don't bore you all to death. Just be careful not to ask me a question, I can really get going then. Grin

Oh, and Mutley, best of luck to you. It's my b-day on the 19th (it's going to be the happiest of my life!), so be cured, and it will make my day even better.

Hello Johnson,
Fellow Canuck here. Husband dx RRMS some 12 yrs ago. Over the moon (and bleary eyed) trying to read up on all the latest stuff on CCVSI. We got our e-mail into Buffalo straight away but they've filled their quota. We have someone trying to get ahold of Dr. Z. in Italy to see if they will take my husband for the testing/procedure. Dr. Simka sounds very positive. Can you assist as to how you went about all of this?
I totally hear what you're saying re Canada dragging their feet on this (and other issues). It's a terrible shame. Having said that, I'm dismayed at the costs I've seen posted somewhere here for the treatment at Stanford. I'm not naive to think that these things costs money but how can it be that it seems much more reasonable in Poland? Don't have any clue what it would cost in Italy.
Any assistance would be appreciated from anyone.
All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Gzee - this is a response moved from a "sticky" -

I understand that Dr. Simka used to respond almost immediately, then it was the next day. I e-mailed on Monday of this week, and heard back yesterday (Dec. 3d). He asked me to contact him again next week, when they would be doing scheduling for imaging in the new year. He indicated that it would be 7-10 weeks after scheduling starts (next week) before I could get the scanning and the procedure.

this is the information Dr, Simka sent regarding costs (although I did not ask)

An average cost of liberation operation is 5000 US$ / 3500EUR / 5500 CAD$

MRV 150-200 EUR

Doppler 50 EUR

If Dr. Dake's office is getting 100 calls a day, I would not be surprised if Dr. Simka was receiving a similar number.

Be patient (take the pun if you like). Dr. Simka will respond.

wonky1 waited 27 years for this hope to happen, I've been waiting 16. There are many who have waited even longer than wonky1. We have a potential answer now, and even considering the trials, and such, things will likely move relatively quickly now.

Dr. Simka's e-mail addy - mariansimka@poczta.onet.pl <mariansimka@poczta.onet.pl>

I hope that helps a little.

Regarding Italy - My understanding is that it would be ~$35,000 in Italy, but that Dr. Zamboni is only going to do Italian patients until they are all taken care of (there are a lot of them). *I don't guarantee the accuracy of this...

first a huge congratulations that Dr. Simka contacted you!! It has got to feel so good.

I am writing to ask you how you went about contacting Dr. Simka? i ask this because i also contacted him on Monday and i have not heard back yet. My efforts at contacting him are a far cry from heroic. i just emailed and asked him to please contact me regarding CCSVI.
Any hints or suggestions? Did you do something else?

Thanks Johnson and again congratulations


kind regards,
-ceci

cervin wrote:
[redacted]

I am writing to ask you how you went about contacting Dr. Simka? Did you do something else?

:)
kind regards,
-ceci

@ cecil (my favourite great-uncle's name)

I e-mailed him, and translated it to Polish - as a quaint courtesy, and in the hope of garnering attention. Of course, I also used all the tools in my "Handbook of Eloquence"

Sorry - I see now that it is Ceci, and not Cecil.

cervin wrote:

I am writing to ask you how you went about contacting Dr. Simka

I thoughts that fairest idea it wait for answer email

Correspondence: Dr. Marian Simka, Department of Angiology, SANA Institute, ul. Wodzislawska 78, 43-200 Pszczyna, Poland. Phone/Fax: +48-322120498. E-mail: mariansimka@poczta.onet.pl

Edser wrote:Good evening,
I was diagnoised with PPMS 17/02/2009 & i've my 2nd MRI+MRV 11/11/2009.I've made an appointment with Dr Simka 30/11/2009.
Best Regard's
Edser

HI MEMBER My name is SEEVA FROM AUSTRALIA and I LIKE TO CONTACT DR.SIMKA POLAND. Please let me have his contact details.
REGARDS
SEEVA :roll:

Hi Seeva earlier on in this topic Johnson said
Dr. Simka's e-mail addy - mariansimka@poczta.onet.pl <mariansimka@poczta.onet.pl>
Good luck

Hi Seeva as above
Dr. Simka's e-mail addy - mariansimka@poczta.onet.pl <mariansimka@poczta.onet.pl>

He will reply but it may take a while.

Good Morning we are back from my procedure in Poland. Diagnosis:Sclerosis Multiplex.Right Jugular Vein Stenosis. Procedure:Percutaneous balloon angioplasty with stent implantation into the right jugular vein (Invatec SCUBA 10 x 30mm)
Slainte Mo Chara
Edser & Anna

Congrats Edser & Anna!
Erika