My life before the Spine Rehabilitation Program was miserable and I was ready to do anything in order to improve my situation. I had multiple health problems late in life and was living in constant pain and losing function. I had a laminectomy due to spinal stenosis and had intense pain from the surgery. As a result of the stenosis, I now have a neurogenic bladder and must self-catheterize for the rest of my life. I have also had my right hip replaced.
During this whole episode I was in a wheelchair and on oxycontin. Things could not have gotten much worse. Given all that I had been through, I was feeling hopeless and was afraid I was too old to be considered for the UI Spine Center program. Boy was I wrong! I was openly accepted into the program where I felt cared for and understood.
If I can make one point, it is that the people at the UI Spine Center are there for your good and you won’t be harmed in the program. The staff believes you that you are in pain and understand what you are going through. They are upfront with you that they can’t make your pain go away, however, they are there to teach you how to manage your pain and inspire you to do your best so that you can get a quality life back.
You go through the Spine Rehabilitation Program with a group of other patients who understand what you are experiencing and you support and encourage each other. You learn that there is hope.
During the program, I took to the psychological coping skills like a duck to water and learned a lot of ways to manage my pain. I was afraid of the exercising part at first because I thought I would hurt myself. I soon learned that the physical therapists are very supportive and teach you how to exercise safely. I learned that I had a lot more stamina that I thought I did by working hard in physical therapy every day. I learned that exercise is the answer for me if I want to stay active.
My pain is never going to go away entirely, but I am now able to manage my pain. I go to the gym three times a week, walk in the pool three times a week and do my relaxation tape and breathing exercise daily.
You have to be persistent and always push yourself to your personal limit to succeed at this. I am 78 years old and I have a lot to live for with my family and the activities that I enjoy. I have my life back!
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