Thank you to Dr. Smith for putting me back on the path of physical freedom!
I had always been an active woman with a busy personal and social lifestyle, a successful professional career, and an athletic personality, enjoying all kinds of sports such as skiing, ice skating, rollerblading, softball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, and kickboxing. Somehow I lost the way along with my independence through years of back pain and discouragement apparently due to an injury that happened in my teenage years; a fractured L5 vertebra that slipped, compressed the disc, and pinched the sciatic nerve. At 38 years old, I thought my self too young to accept defeat but until I met Dr. Smith, I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. He identified the problem (Spondylolisthesis), offered me solutions, and guided me towards health again. I found it impressive for a surgeon to suggest trying out other options before jumping right into surgery! He gave me hope and gained my trust.
Unfortunately, after exhausting all my options (physical therapy, medication, epidural injections), the pain was unbearable and I had no other choice but to go under the knife. Luckily for me, I was in the best hands possible; literally! The last result was to do a TLIF surgery and fuse my L5-S1 vertebra. I am grateful to have gone through this journey with Dr. Smith as he worked his magic on me, utilizing his experience and the latest technology, which brought me on the road to recovery. I appreciate the time that he took to answer all my questions thoroughly and his witty sense of humor always made me smile, even during the serious and more painful moments.
I am now a new woman and I can do those little everyday things again that people take for granted: lay in bed comfortably, sleep soundly, wake-up rested, do the grocery, carry my own shopping bags, clean the house, cook on the hard kitchen floor, sit at my desk and work on the computer, watch TV on the couch, enjoy a nice dinner at the restaurant with my husband, take a 1 hour drive to visit the in-laws, see a 2 hour movie at the theater, stand at a friend’s party for hours, and even travel on a plane. I feel like a productive human being again and a loving wife.
9 months after surgery, I am almost pain free; no more lower back pain, no more sciatic nerve pinching, and no more throbbing, weakness, tingling and numbness in the leg: all gone! I walk an hour every day, I do Pilates a few times a week, and I even swim laps at the pool. I am gaining my strength and flexibility back. I may have a bit of soreness once in a while after doing my daily routine but it’s only a good feeling from the workout that I’m getting and nothing that an ice pack can’t help… no more pills!
Back surgery is definitely the most difficult challenge that I ever encountered so far in my life but it is the best decision I ever made. It is very encouraging when I see the little successes that I gain every day and how far I have come. I went in with realistic expectations and found out that hard work and patience pays off. My sacrifices and efforts taught me tenacity and that I am only as strong as the support of my loved ones.
I stand strong and tall; this is the beginning of the rest of my life!
Thank you Dr. Smith! Lili