Back to Wearing Cowboy Boots

For two years, Sally Greer spent most of her time on her couch, and gained 130 pounds in the process. At just 61 years of age, Sally had back pain whether walking, standing or sitting.

“I went from walking 10 acres a day around our farm in Arizona to being housebound,” she recalls. “The pain alternated from an ache, to my being on pins and needles, to feeling as if someone was stabbing me in the back, to numbness. My 30-hour labor delivering my daughter was a piece of cake compared to this.”

That was before her August 17 cervical spine surgery at HOI.

“I didn’t want to have surgery or be on pain medication for the long term, so I tried every alternative I could find, including acupuncture. Nothing worked, and I didn’t like the curmudgeon I’d become,” she says.

After moving to Irvine, Sally was grateful to find HOI. “I thought the problem was in my lower back, but my doctor insisted that what was most important was to fix my cervical spine and put the curve back in my neck. He assured me I would be better off with surgery – and he was right! My lower back pain is tremendously improved.”

Sally recalls, “I didn’t realize how anxious I would be, but one of the nurses took me under her wing like I was her own daughter. She listened to me, comforted me and encouraged me, telling me I was strong and resilient. She was so sweet and gentle, as was everyone with HOI.”

In the weeks following surgery, Sally advanced from a wheelchair to a walker. She began attending tai chi classes. Just two months after major spinal surgery, Sally is back outside taking long walks with her husband, Larry, and their dog, Sadie.

“I can do simple things I once took for granted, like getting out of a car,” says Sally. “I’ve lost 50 pounds and have a goal to lose more. Without pain, I feel as if all things are possible.

“My goal was to live without depending on pain medication, and now I can. To celebrate ‘being rebuilt’ and my freedom from the pain, I went out and bought turquoise cowboy boots. I can finally start planning a trip I’ve always wanted to take to the British Isles – and those boots will be packed!”