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HEGHOG1959
Contributing Member
Posts: 62
Registered: 12-14-2009
Location: Bristol England
Member Is Offline
Mood: The Only Way Is Up!!!
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50yr old UK Male**Update,Berlin 13th March 2010**
Hi everyone
I'm Andy 50years of age from Somerset in the UK, up untill a few weeks ago I believed I was one of very few people in this world that had a chest like
this, that was until I typed the words "Hole in the Chest" into U Tube, and was totally blown away in what I saw, not only were there many thousands
of people out there like me, but there was surgery that would fix it! Part of me felt a massive release that I am not alone, like a tremendous weight
being lifted from me, I just sat there and broke down, and then after pulling myself together I became angry then sad, because since the age of 12
when I became conscious of my chest and put it into hiding, I have felt totally alone, and also that I could have had surgery in my mid thirties!
From U Tube I found my way very quickly to this site and have since spent the last few weeks reading all the posts, I find myself in shock; there are
so many people here. So many that give help, advice, support and healing, we may never meet, but I feel like I've found a family that I did'nt know I
had.
I feel that I must say a special thank you to Techzsue and others for making this website possible.
To Pectus Dude on your website; I take my hat off to you, you my friend have gift for your writing alone is like an art, let alone all the information
and time you have put into it.
You should write a book and the book should become a film. So as to expose' this Demon to the world!
I dared to think that maybe it's not to late for me maybe I'm not too old, I know by what I have read Berlin was my only hope, even if I was younger
there would be no other place I would go, ( but I know I'm lucky, Germany is but a stones throw away from the UK ), so there was only one way to find
out.
So on Saturday with my photos I emailed Prof Shaars, but trying not to build my hopes up to much, and I did'nt think I would get a reply to
soon.....Wrong..... 10am Monday morning I had my reply from Pro Shaars, I sat there for some time unable to open it, so closing one eye I opened it to
read.... Judging from the picture of your chest ther should be no problem to repair your PE by Nuss technique.
Your age should be no problem! In very! Experienced hands and offered me a consultation as early as next week!
There are no words to express how I felt reading those words.
I know this is only the start of a very long and hard road, but hey so have been the last 38yrs, so I have made an appointment to see my doctor on
Friday to get the blood checks and CT slides and so on, and then there's the small matter of raising the funds.
But I also know from the time I keyed those words into U Tube my life would NEVER be the same again, for as Pectus Dude, That was the time I boarded
my train, and I want my one way ticket to the final destination I don't know as yet if I will or if I will have to get off at the next station, but if
I have to, I now know one thing for sure and that is, I can start to hold my head high and start to be proud of who I am, for I Know now that I am not
alone!
So without further ado I expose to you My Demon My Pectus Excavatum!!
As you can see from my photos I have had the Ravitch way back in 1961 big scar but still big dent.
Ah! having problems downloading photos, think I will have to downsize them. Will post this for now before I lose it all! Photos to follow.
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Skiddy
Member
Posts: 431
Registered: 7-30-2009
Location: Nottingham.UK
Member Is Offline
Mood: Great. No P.E!
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HI and welcome to the forum.
I am 39 and have gone through all the emotions you are going through.
I too had the Ravitch when I was 5, in 1975. It was a pretty major op at the time for me.
It didnt work, it regressed back after some months to leave me a lot of pain and discomfort and a whopping scar.
I too thought I was a very minority, then I discovered this site and info regarding Berlin and Schaar.
I had the Nuss 9 weeks ago. Been tough, hard and restrictive breathing at times, but a flat chest.
Good luck with the journey. Rest asured I think Schaar is the best and the hospital is first class.
Best regards.
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Randy
Contibuting Member
Posts: 3540
Registered: 12-22-2005
Location: St. Louis MO
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always Fun & Positive
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Welcome
Edgie and Myself seem to be the oldest people in the WORLD to have the Nuss procedure Edgie 47?? Me 46. Both Edgie and myself got Great Results Form
Schaar. I had a tough battle with an infection but Shcaar and the Team fixed me, then I went home. Edgie sailed through like a new ship, not a
hitch.
If you choose to pursue a surgical repair, your best possible Result will be with Schaar. You gotta be in good health if Schaar would consider you as
a patient. I hope your in great health, you will push the age envelope even further. Post your pictures and we will give you our opinion. Just be
prepared for a variety of responses.
Randy
well, just taking one day at a time and Praying our Great Country "Gets Back On It's Feet"
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vanessa_b
Member
Posts: 648
Registered: 10-5-2009
Member Is Offline
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Welcome Andy! I had the same feelings of relief when I found this forum, like finding a family you didn't know you had.
I'm so glad you have contacted Schaar and you're going to get the surgery. I wanted to tell you that my surgeon here in the States also recently
operated on a 50-year-old man and it was successful.
When are you thinking of doing the surgery? I'm going in for mine at the end of January! 
Best of luck to you!
Vanessa
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jojane13
Member
Posts: 468
Registered: 11-29-2009
Member Is Offline
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Hi Charlie,
I was very touched by your post and happy for you that you've finally found this group. Hopefully it will lead to you finding a solution for your PE
problem too. I'm a 38 year old female living in the US and I'm just trying to decide if I should have my PE fixed, and if so by whom. I've only been
a member of this site for a short time, but I know that here you will find amazing support and loads of helpful information as you proceed down this
path. All the best to you and I'm looking forward to being there to support you along the way.
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dxb
Member
Posts: 165
Registered: 11-29-2009
Member Is Offline
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hey Andy,
go for it and go to schaar. there is no one nearly as qualified with older PE patients.
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villa
Member
Posts: 83
Registered: 11-29-2009
Member Is Offline
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Hey Andy,
Glad you found the site, it's amazing how so many of us have similar experiences with PE, thinking we were the only ones for years and then finding
this site. Good luck on your journey!
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elston
Member
Posts: 206
Registered: 12-11-2008
Member Is Offline
Mood: Moody
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It's never too late to improve yourself. You're only fifty. And even if you were eighty, you should always be prepared to kick and scream and raise
hell if anything should threaten to come between you and your goals.
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Pectus Dude
Member
Posts: 974
Registered: 9-2-2009
Member Is Offline
Mood: Onwards and Upwards
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Quote: Originally posted by HEGHOG1959  |
To Pectus Dude on your website; I take my hat off to you, you my friend have gift for your writing alone is like an art, let alone all the information
and time you have put into it.
You should write a book and the book should become a film. So as to expose' this Demon to the world!
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You cannot know how delighted and touched I was to read your post. You are a brave soldier who will finally defeat his demon, as I and many others
before me have done. It is your turn in the sun.
You have set in motion a train of events that will speed you towards your destination. At times you will be frightened. I was, too. Your years of
self-loathing have led you to this point. It is now time to embrace your non-dented self.
You are not too old to do this. Professor Schaarschmidt is a gentle soul. A man of principle. A gifted surgeon. You will know the truth of these
words the moment you meet him.
I am here if there is anything you need. And thank you for your kind comments about my blog. It makes me so happy to know that you found it
helpful.
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edgey
Posting Freak
Posts: 1108
Registered: 1-30-2005
Location: Toronto
Member Is Offline
Mood: Getting on with Post-PE life
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Hi Andy and welcome.
I was nussed by Dr S 3 years ago at the age of 47 and its worked out great for me, so perhaps it will for you too.
I hope it all goes well for you!
All the best!
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Suspectus
Member
Posts: 136
Registered: 9-9-2009
Member Is Offline
Mood: On the right track! :-)
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Hi Andy,
Happy New Year and welcome onboard.
I think most of us share your experience in one way or the other and we're all here for your support.
I can so relate to your feelings when you found this on YouTube and sent your pics to Prof. Schaarschmidt. It's quite an adrenalin rush to actually
see the possibility to get rid of the dent.
Wish you all the best and keep us updated.
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HEGHOG1959
Contributing Member
Posts: 62
Registered: 12-14-2009
Location: Bristol England
Member Is Offline
Mood: The Only Way Is Up!!!
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Hi All
Just an update
Going over to see Schaars for consultation on Monday, feeling abit nervous know if opp is poss, I will have to make my mind up fast as I know I only
have a small window of time to have it done, and if opp is not poss, that will be hard to except too, thing is I can see myself so clearly having it
done, anyway will just have to see what he says
I did put my photos in images but have put them here to so that its all in one place
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jojane13
Member
Posts: 468
Registered: 11-29-2009
Member Is Offline
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Andy,
I hope you hear good news from Dr. Schaar on Monday! Hang in there - I'm sure the waiting isn't easy. But you'll get answers soon and you're going
to the best, so I'm hopeful that he can help you.
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Arthur_Dent
Member
Posts: 423
Registered: 7-26-2007
Location: London, UK
Member Is Offline
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Hi Andy, a belated welcome to the forum from me too. Firstly, I'm can really empathise with your story. What you describe can be shared with most of
us on the forum... sorry mate, there's nothing special about you (in the nicest possible way of course!  ). Draw strength from that shared experience, cos you're not alone.
I'm not sure how much trawling through the forum you've done, but I'm almost 39, and coming up to my 2 year mark with 2 shiny Nuss bars that the
kindly Prof. Schaar fitted for me. Oh, and I'm in the UK too. If you have any questions that you think I might be able to help with, just U2U me (at
the top rh corner of your screen), I log in most days.
If you haven't seen it, I posted a travel guide to getting to the Helios, see http://www.pectusinfo.com/board/viewthread.php?tid=4395 Hope it helps. I think that you're definitely doing the right thing going for a
consultation first (I believe it's still free too?!?!) - that's what I did and I'm very pleased I did.
Good luck, all the best
Arthur
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HEGHOG1959
Contributing Member
Posts: 62
Registered: 12-14-2009
Location: Bristol England
Member Is Offline
Mood: The Only Way Is Up!!!
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Hi all
Well im back from Berlin after seeing the Master, well what can I say, he is all and more of what I have been told by all of you that have gone
before.
I feel so relaxed about it all and have no doughts at all, so have booked my Surgery for the 16th March 10, 20days before my 51st year, and to think
up untill Dec 09 I knew nothing of any of this! I am now going to hit the gym hard, need to loose at lest a stone in weight, 14lb and get as fit as I
possable can!
Thanks to you all for help and advice and continued surport.
Arthur Dent
Thankyou for your travel guide, it was so easy by train and bus and so cheap! with the money saved on taxi we were able to have a realy nice meal
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jojane13
Member
Posts: 468
Registered: 11-29-2009
Member Is Offline
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Andy!!! This is such wonderful news!!!! I'm really thrilled for you that Dr. Schaar said he could help you. Wow, what great news
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CharlieB
Contributing Member
Posts: 67
Registered: 11-29-2009
Location: London
Member Is Offline
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great news! I wish you all the luck! Do as much exercise as you can before the surgery, that will help you a lot during the procedure and recovery.
It's certainly a nice feeling to know that you can actually do something about it, I'm happy for you!
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itapol
Member
Posts: 476
Registered: 3-27-2006
Member Is Offline
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Hey Andy, Welcome! There are a lot of pectus peeps on this forum that are in there 30's, 40's and now 50's. You will learn alot from this site.
Good luck
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vanessa_b
Member
Posts: 648
Registered: 10-5-2009
Member Is Offline
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Hey that's great news Andy! You're going to be so glad you got it done.
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methusela
Member
Posts: 148
Registered: 10-5-2009
Member Is Offline
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Hi Andy
I am 48 and booked for surgery in July check out my intro on the site, good luck us old guys have to stick together!!!!
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Pectus Dude
Member
Posts: 974
Registered: 9-2-2009
Member Is Offline
Mood: Onwards and Upwards
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Wonderful news, Andy. I am so proud of you for taking this step and for taking control. Your Demon is currently wetting his pants. He will not give
up without a fight, though, but you will beat him in the end. Courage and Faith!
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HEGHOG1959
Contributing Member
Posts: 62
Registered: 12-14-2009
Location: Bristol England
Member Is Offline
Mood: The Only Way Is Up!!!
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Hi all
I am of to Berlin in a week to go to all out War with my PE, know there's going to be terrible pain and tears, but I am ready to face it head on,
going in with my eyes wide open! I am feeling excited and positive but at the
same time feeling sick and scarred I am going alone but that's ok, feel I
have to face this alone.
Surgery was scheduled for the 16th March, but I have had so much crap here getting CT and tests done I am now getting it all done in Berlin, I arrive
at Helios evening of the 13th.
Will be taking my Laptop so will try to update as I can, not a day go's by that I don't read all the posts here, and I hope when I have gone threw
this that I will able to put in as much as I have taken.
I have been hitting the gym very hard and have maneged to loss 10lb and feel so much fitter.
It came very tight to rising all the funds for the Surgery but just managed it in the end, this is going to Bankrupt me but I really don't care, this
is what it was going to take to make this happen, then so be it. Surgery is costing £25,000 Sterling, 28500 euro this is a vast amount of money, but
this is Private Surgery, to put this into context, a girlfriend of mine recently had a Brest Enlargement Surgery at a cost of £4500.00 she went in at
10am and was out at 7am the next day, I on the other hand will be in Helios 2 to 3 weeks and have major Surgery, £4500.00 x 21days=£94,500, 105,086
euro, so I think that I'm getting a really good deal, and I feel I am getting the best that money can buy.
Has anyone any suggestions of things I should be taking with me?
Do I need to take my own towels atc. thanks
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Skiddy
Member
Posts: 431
Registered: 7-30-2009
Location: Nottingham.UK
Member Is Offline
Mood: Great. No P.E!
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HI Heg.
All I can say is good luck and just look forward to the time when you open your eyes and look down and see your new chest. Wow you'll have tears
mate.
Don't worry, believe me, you'll lose weight when your there from the meds.
Be assured he is good. He will take good care of you.
As for what you need, take light fitting clothes, like trackies, t-shirts, dressing gown, swim shorts, trainers. Dont worry about towels, you'll get
them there.
Get internet access from reception for logging on. Start walking down to the cafe, better food etc.
Also walk the corridors, keep walking, it will make you stronger. Take it easy, don't be too hard on yourself. Relax.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Skid.
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singer
Member
Posts: 540
Registered: 9-9-2006
Location: Indiana
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hoping for pain-free days ahead!
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Hi Andy,
Good for you!........and join the club of seniors! I was 51 yrs. old when I had the Nuss then had a Ravitch at 52. You can do this and you'll be fine.
You sound like a strong man with determination so that alone will get you through the rough times. You are also fortunate to be able to have Prof.
Schaar so close to you. Wish we had someone like him in the States!
Best Wishes to you on this journey.....my prayers are with you!
Martie
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vanessa_b
Member
Posts: 648
Registered: 10-5-2009
Member Is Offline
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Congratulations Andy, I will be rooting for you!
You should bring a back scratcher. That was something I wished I had in the hospital. It will be hard for you to reach to scratch different parts of
your body at first and I had to keep asking people things like, "Hey can you scratch my left knee?" Here's some other ideas:
Robe
Slippers
Loose clothing
Snacks
MP3 player
Books
Spray-on deodorant (great idea someone gave me!)
Mouth wash
Good luck!
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