You are here

Reilly Wrote:

Crossing the Border to a Better Life

You're simply going to have to live with the pain. There's nothing that can be done to physically change your situation.

Imagine facing these words. My name is Reilly, and I am forty years old. I have been diagnosed at different times with two bulging, deteriorating and torn disks in my lower back, and I've basically been told by every doctor I've seen that this is most likely the diagnosis I have to face. I've seen two neurosurgeons, an orthopedic surgeon, a physio-therapist, a pain management specialist, a minimum of five family practioners, and several other doctors who've seen me at various times in the emergency department of my local hospital. The prognosis remains the same.

I've had x-rays, CTScans and MRIs and told surgery is not an option. I've tried physio-therapy, regular exercise, monthly zylocaine infusions and epidermal injections. No procedure has had any significant effect.

I've taken atasol, pxycontin, difenac, gabapentin, toradol, tramacet, cyclobenzaprine, amitriptyline, venlafaxine, dilaudid, lyrica and some other variations of muscle relaxers, anti-depressants and anti-inflammatories, with only slight changes in levels of pain the situation remains the same.

I used to coach ice hockey, ball hockey, soccer and softball. Now I can't. I used to facilitate drama clubs, art clubs, and writing clubs. Now I can't. I used to play ice hockey and soccer, go trout fishing, camping and hiking. Now I can't. I used to volunteer at my church as a lay reader and confirmation class teacher. Now I can't. I have done carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, plastering and painting, and auto mechanics, some as a professional, others as an amateur. Now I can't. I was a teacher. Now I'm not. I was an interactive father and husband. Now I'm not.

The physical pain caused by my condition is not the only place my suffering lies. Depression has changed me.

I have, however, found a grain of hope. Through my own researching, I have discovered an outpatient surgical center in Tampa, Florida that offers laser-assisted spine surgery for conditions like mine. I've read testimonials about the success of this minimally invasive procedure. The only problem is that I am Canadian and my Department of Health does not recognize the procedure as anything more than the same services offered in my country through different means, therefore my principal health plan will not cover the expenses for the surgery. I sent a copy of my latest MRI to be reviewed by a board-certified physician at Laser Spine Institute and they acknowledge that I am a surgical candidate for the procedure. In order to receive this surgery, which seems to be the only hope currently available to me, I'll cross any hurdles necessary. Until then, I'll live with the pain.

After a few months, Reilly accompanied by his family, had surgery at Laser Spine Institute this past June. He was welcomed by the Laser Spine Institute team on his first day of arrival. Reilly had a thorough physical evaluation with medical history review, new MRI completed and a surgical consultation in less than two days. On the third day of his visit, he was evaluated by a registered nurse in pre-op, met with a Laser Spine Institute anesthesiologist, Dr. Robert Gruber, Director of Pain Management and his surgeon, Dr. Vernon Morris. Dr. Morris performed a laminotomy and a foraminotomy on Reilly's lower back and within a few hours he was able to join his family and head back to the hotel to rest. Reilly spent two more days in Tampa with two appointments at the Laser Spine Institute physical therapy department According to Reilly, he felt relaxed during the duration of his treatment.

Two months post-surgery, Reilly has become the interactive person he used to be playing soccer and coaching two high school sports teams. He has returned to teaching high school English after being out of work since April 2007 because of back pain. The impossible to Reilly has become possible because of his visit to Laser Spine Institute. He is feeling better every day and happy to have his life back.