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rediscover Patient Ambassador
The surgery was a real blessing in my life and allows me to enjoy the serenity of island life—relaxing at the beach with friends under the swaying palm trees and listening to music that exemplifies the island vibe I love so much.
Irma H.
Age: 53
From: British Virgin Islands
Surgery Date: August 2020
Procedure Type: Cervical Total Disc Replacement with prodisc
Interests: Enjoying the Serenity of Island Life, Relaxing at the Beach, Listening to Music
Meet Irma: a vibrant and energetic registered nurse who lives in the sun-soaked British Virgin Islands and was blindsided ten years ago when she experienced severely debilitating neck pain at the base of her skull that she described as “miserable, a 10 out of 10 on the pain scale.” In spite of her pain, she continued to work—using over-the- counter pain medications, various homeopathic products, and physiotherapy to help manage her pain.
Barely able to function, she turned to the place she knew best for guidance and relief: the hospital where she worked. An initial x-ray determined one source of her pain, and she was diagnosed with spondylosis. Her first MRI also revealed she had bulging and herniated discs between her C2, C3, and C4 spinal vertebrae. Irma describes the pain as emanating from the top of her head to her lower back like “the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade—complete with full scale brass bands marching through my upper body.” When the pain became so intense that she was unable to hold her purse, she knew it was time to explore treatment options.
Through her work at the bright purple Bougainvillea Private Hospital, nestled in the hills with a gorgeous view of the harbor in Road Town, she met her neurosurgeon. Irma shared how fortunate she was to find her doctor and become familiar with his work, since she had the opportunity to observe the surgical results of one of his patients when she was caring for him before his surgery and during his recovery.
This patient struggled with similar symptoms to hers but more debilitating, as he could not walk prior to his surgery. While Irma nursed him through his recovery she thought, “I could do this if it would help alleviate my pain.” Her surgeon presented Irma with the option of a fusion device, as well as the motion-preserving prodisc® option.* Irma did not hesitate in selecting the ideal choice for her active lifestyle—prodisc. “I was all in and not afraid because I knew what to expect,” Irma recalls thinking once she made her decision. “Learning from someone else’s experience can give you tremendous confidence heading into something like this.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Irma’s surgery was delayed several months. When she finally had her surgery, however, she was able to return home just two days after the procedure. Irma notes that she only experienced minimal post-op discomfort in the surgical area, and she faithfully completed six months of physical therapy. Irma was back on the job a week after surgery, returning to the hospital to take care of her patients.
“The surgery was a real blessing in my life and allows me to enjoy the serenity of island life — relaxing at the beach with friends under the swaying palm trees and listening to music that exemplifies the island vibe I love so much.”
Her recent patient experience brought a fresh dose of empathy, compassion, and enthusiasm to her work. When asked if she would recommend the surgery to others, Irma’s bright smile lights up her face as she enthusiastically says, “Yes! The surgery was a real blessing in my life and allows me to enjoy the serenity of island life—relaxing at the beach with friends under the swaying palm trees and listening to music that exemplifies the island vibe I love so much.”
These individuals can inspire your journey to healing and life after disc replacement surgery—and the hope of freedom from spine-induced pain and discomfort.
With the total disc replacement, it’s like I’ve never had a neck problem!
Andrea L.
I feel like my activity level is now a 10 out of 10! My recovery after prodisc was amazing.
Brian
Being a patient myself, I understand... the journey. [prodisc] allows my patients to return to their lives.
Dr. Masson
I probably feel better today than when I was 30 years old!
Rory
prodisc [gives] my patients the option to thrive and maintain the highest quality active lifestyle.
Dr. Lanman
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