Age: 80
Hometown: Porterville, CA
Surgeon: Beverly Hills Spine Surgery, Los Angeles, CA
Procedure: eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF®)
Surgery Dates: June 25, 2013 and June 27, 2013
Life Prior to Surgery: As an intensive care unit nurse for 50 years, Joyce had to do a lot of heavy lifting, bending, and standing. One day at work, she was lifting a heavy object and she heard a snap in her back.
Joyce did not try any aggressive treatments because she did not believe in taking narcotics – she dealt with the pain by simply taking Tylenol. Joyce lived with the discomfort and learned to adjust her life around it. However, in the fall of 2012, the pain became worse and she could no longer sit without feeling terrible pain.
“I knew I had to seek out a doctor who was knowledgeable and compassionate. That’s what I saw in my surgeon,” Joyce says.
Based on the nature of her condition, Joyce was recommended for the minimally disruptive XLIF procedure.
Joyce underwent XLIF surgery in June 2013. Her surgeon spaced out her surgery in two procedures to make sure that her body could handle it. Joyce was operated on for a total of 12 hours.
Joyce was able to walk right after her surgery and was thrilled to have such excellent hospital staff who took care of her. She says that she did not have any postoperative issues and her surgeon did an incredible job.
Situation Today: Because Joyce’s surgery was very extensive, she knows she has to adjust to her new body. “It’s not going to be like it was before, but I am so happy with the results. It’s all about attitude and positivity. I also pray a lot and my faith gets me through the hard days,” explains Joyce.
Joyce says that she is a huge fan of her surgeon, “He can’t walk on water, but he’s close! He’s a miracle worker.”
Now that Joyce is living pain-free, she is back to socializing with all her friends, participating in her local church, shopping, and walking. She feels incredibly blessed to be where she is in her recovery.
15-NUVA-0934