Best Place to go

[Scott-V.]

Since we were told about my son having Spina Bifida there has been some talk about reassigning to a new post in the states and not letting me stay in Germany. If I do get reassigned where would be the best place to go for care for my son?

We would have to be close to an Army post. We were thinking about Washington State as my wifes family is from Seattle. Is there anyone from the Seattle area on here? Or should I fight to stay in Germany?

Scott

[Dodger67]

I can't help you with specifics about Seattle, seeing as I'm South African, but you will see all over this forum that Shriners Hospitals are highly rated by many of the regulars from the US.

They are however very selective about who they treat, because if you are accepted you will never recieve a bill from them.

The nearest Shriners Hospital to Seattle is in Sacramento California www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main (http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main)

[smoop]

I heard that Boston Children's is one of the top U.S. Children's Hospitals.

[docshoney]

Hi Scott,
My husband, who is also a Scott and I live in the Seattle area. Seattle Children's is the #8 neurosurgery hospital in the US. I have had mixed results going there so far. We are meeting with a new nuerosurgeon there because I previous one was not a good fit. We will be meeting with the head of the department who used to head up Johns Hopkins. The new head of JH actually suggested we go see him. I can keep you posted as to the best docs there. I also have boy/girl twins.

Erin

[LisaJoy]

Children's Memorial in Chicago is supposed to have a great SB program, although I only know it by reputation.

And I must put in a plug for middle TN (although it is a long way from family). Monroe Carrell, Jr., Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University is top notch (one of the study sites for fetal surgery of sb). Nashville is about an hour from Ft. Campbell, which I'm sure you've heard of.

In addition to Shriners, there are also two Scottish Rite Hospitals for Children, which are similar. One is in Dallas and the other in Atlanta.

[dahliafaolan]

Children's Hospital in New Orleans is FANTASTIC!!! I can't say enough good things about them. Not only are the doctors very knowledgeable and for the most part, very kind, but the hospital itself is just a great place to be. As a child who spent every holiday you can name in there, I can't say that I ever missed home during the holiday. They make sure that you're able to celebrate the holiday in some way there. In fact, the best month to need a hospital stay is December. Santa comes everyday. lol

[angel]

Hi Scott,

I am a die hard shriner's hospital supporter. I was treated for my SB at LeBonheur Childrens hospital in memphis during my childhood and they did a good job HOWEVER my son who has SBO also went there after he was born. He saw the same doctors that took care of me etc... We moved a thousand miles away after i got married and we have a shriner's hospital in our town. I was BLOWN AWAY by the standard of care my child has recieved. I know a thing or two about it and i just couldn't believe how much better they are. I really found myself wishing that i had been a patient there when i was a kid. I don't have it so bad don't get me wrong but i think things may have turned out even better had i been associated with them.

Angel

[Scott-V.]

Hi Scott,
My husband, who is also a Scott and I live in the Seattle area. Seattle Children's is the #8 neurosurgery hospital in the US. I have had mixed results going there so far. We are meeting with a new nuerosurgeon there because I previous one was not a good fit. We will be meeting with the head of the department who used to head up Johns Hopkins. The new head of JH actually suggested we go see him. I can keep you posted as to the best docs there. I also have boy/girl twins.

Erin



Erin

Please keep me posted. My wife and I would really appriciate it.

Scott

[Sheena51985]

for lack of a btter way to put it, Shriner's Hospital ROCKS!! Although I only went there once for a surgery, I'll never forget the experience I had there. They made me feel as confortable as humanly possible while I was there. I even made friends there that I still talk to, to this day. That was when I was 9..and I'm now 23!! It's an amazing place and they truly care about their patients' happiness as well as their health. I HIGHLY recommend it. The one I went to was in Greennville, South Carolina.

Also, University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is a GREAT hospital!! I went there for doctors visits from the time I was 11 till I turned 18 and I couldnt see pediatric doctors anymore. I had 3 doctors there and they were all awesome. My neurosurgeon there even had SB as well, so she could relate to my case!!

good luck!!

~Sheena

[Dodger67]

Sheena
If you can get hold of that neurosurgeon please invite her to join us here - we could sometimes really use a professional opinion. (Besides also making the point that people with SB can be neurosurgeons!)

[Sheena51985]

I'll try, but no guarantees :)

[docshoney]

Scott,
I will definetly keep you posted. We don't have our next visit until Feb. 24th. We have had great luck with the urology dept., nuerodelvelopment, gastrointerology, orthopedics and physical therapy. The only doc we haven't gotten along with is the nuerosurgeon, but he is new and I don't think he is going to be there very long. We actually had the very great orthopedic doc tell us to switch to a different nuerosurgeon. If you want any names private message me. The hospitals site is www.seattlechildrens.org

[Summer25]

I also say anywhere close to a shriners. I was there National Ambassador for many years as a child. Florida also has an awesome children's hospital that is in the process of being rebuilt. It is HUGE! Johns Hopkins is supposed to be really good. Also Vanderbilt in TN is good.