My Comeback Story: Richard S.

My story began on a Saturday morning before Thanksgiving 2024, though the problem had been years in the making. I had been living with back pain, accepting it as a natural part of aging. That morning, I woke up and stretched in bed—and felt an instant bolt of pain. When I got out of bed, I couldn't stand up straight. The pain was intense and constant.

I took ibuprofen, which provided slight relief later that morning, but I still couldn't straighten up. My GP saw me early the next week and advised rest and ice. When that didn't help, I tried a steroid course, which provided temporary relief that ended during the taper. An MRI revealed a dramatically herniated disc between L2-L3. My GP immediately contacted Dr. Cason for a consult, and I was in his office the next day.

Dr. Cason's staff watched to see if I could walk when I arrived. I was on my feet with the help of a walker, but I wouldn't call it walking. I guess word had gotten out that my situation was especially dire. Dr. Cason showed me the MRI images and pointed out the problem: the disc had disintegrated, and the vertebrae had shifted, putting pressure on my spinal cord. That explained the loss of function I was beginning to experience in my lower legs. Dr. Cason said it was the worst disc failure he had seen.

I was scheduled for surgery at the earliest opportunity. I was nervous, but there was no option—I was losing leg function in both legs, muscle was wasting away, and numbness was spreading. By my pre-op hospital visit, I was in a wheelchair. Walking was out of the question.

Surgery day came, and my wife rolled me to the appointed door. Things happened quickly—a nurse prepped me, my wife hugged me, anesthesia gave me a shot, and the next thing I knew, I was in recovery. My hospital stay was short and blurry. My nurse wife got me home as soon as possible and took the best care of me I could imagine. I could tolerate lying straight, which was a welcome change. Dr. Cason told me in the hospital that the surgery went well, but there was significant damage and time would tell what full recovery would look like.

Back at home, I slept a lot the first two weeks. My legs were so weak that just standing was a chore. I had a lightning-bolt pain that occurred with certain movements—brief but breathtaking. That pain gradually disappeared, and I was going farther and farther with my walker. I remember looking at my mailbox at the end of my driveway and telling my wife, "One day I'm going all the way to the mailbox and back."

After the first two or three weeks post-op, improvement came daily. At more than one point, I wondered if I'd ever walk again. I may have cried on several occasions, wondering how able I would be in the long run. We have a farm I love, and I feared not being able to do the work there that I enjoy.

Then one day, I walked across the living room without the walker. You would have thought I had just completed a marathon—I was so proud. At this point, I could stand up straight and my legs were getting stronger. The foot drop I had developed in my left foot before surgery was going away. I was able to raise my toes again. I continued to improve and was walking farther each week. I soon ditched my walker and started using my old ski poles for support. I've always been athletic, so as I improved physically, I saw getting back to normal as an event to train for—which I did.

When I was strong enough, I started physical therapy, which helped tremendously. By the time that was finished, I could accompany my wife to the store without needing support to walk.

Here I am, 12 months from the disc blowing up and around 11 months post-op. I am in better condition than before the disc event. Two days ago, I walked around an 80-acre block of our property that is very swampy. I can do all the farm work I used to do. I can throw a cast net like before. I just got the Christmas lights up on the house. Things are good.

Improvement is still occurring. Most of the numb places I had now have feeling. Stiffness is better. I can put my socks on and tie my shoes without complaint. My dogs like that I'm able to get on the floor and play with them again.

I didn't have a choice about surgery, but it made me better than before. Dr. Cason is on my hero and Christmas card list. He is a fine surgeon, and I was lucky to get him. His PA, Danny, is awesome as well. My surgery took place just before Christmas last year, and some of Dr. Cason's surgical team had to delay holiday plans for my surgery. Thank you all for your care.

I turned 70 this summer and feel better than I have in several years. Every day matters, and Dr. Cason and his team have made my days much better.