Success Stories
Our patients describe their experiences at Beth Israel Deaconess.
"If I needed this surgery again and my neurosurgeon was in China, I would go there."
At 51 years old I thought I was going to be paralyzed or very impaired after a serious spinal injury. I couldn’t move my arms and legs.
I went first to a local hospital, but it didn’t feel right. The minute I came here, everything was completely different. Everyone we met took great care of us. My neurosurgeon, Dr. Groff, explained everything. If I needed this surgery again and he was in China I would go there.
My recovery has been unbelievable; I’m pretty much back to normal, and going to the gym every day.
– – Ted Trudon, Connecticut
"After dealing with my pain for so many years, I finally felt like I was in good hands."
The worst thing about my excruciating leg pain was that it threatened the job I love – being a nanny. I was nervous when I first met my orthopaedic surgeon! I assumed that he would automatically sign me up for surgery. I was glad to find out that I was wrong.
After dealing with my pain for so many years, I finally felt like I was in good hands. My surgeon, Dr. McGuire, worked together with a neurologist to make a recommendation, and he and the team answered all my questions.
Before my surgery I couldn’t even walk, but afterward, I went on a cruise that was a surprise birthday present from my family. My surgery and back problems never even crossed my mind.
– – Linda Andrews, Massachusetts
"I was relieved to learn that I didn't need surgery."
When the arthritis in my spine led to an injury, the nerve pain was horrific.
Everyone at the Spine Center has been fabulous. The medical assistant was so pleasant. The doctor I saw, Dr. White, was phenomenal and genuinely caring. And my physical therapist makes me want to keep appointments.
was relieved to learn that I didn’t need surgery. After several weeks of physical therapy, I know I’ll reach my goal and be able to take long walks again.
– – Lynne Brophy, Massachusetts
“My neurosurgeon gave me my hand and legs back.”
I injured my neck playing football in middle school, and my condition was getting worse. I had numbness in my fingers and thumb. Then I took a nasty fall playing softball -- my arm went numb and I was in a lot of pain.
In April ’07, I went to my neurologist, and he said “Do you trust me? You need cervical spine surgery, and I’m sending you to one of the best.” Dr. Papavassiliou at BIDMC operated on me on a day in December ’07 at 2 p.m. By 9 p.m., I felt fantastic – I already had feeling back in my hand.
When I needed a second surgery in September ’08, I came back to Dr. Papavassiliou. I had a lumbar laminectomy and am feeling great. Dr. Papavassiliou is very thorough about explaining what he’s going to do. I appreciate that – and the results!
– – Greg Mowrey, Massachusetts
“The surgeon changed his schedule to see me right away.”
I had pain in my right leg that had been there for a couple of years and was getting worse. I heard Dr. McGuire talk at a patient information session at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical HealthCare - Chelsea, where I was having physical therapy. As I listened, I could tell Dr. McGuire knew what he was talking about, and some of the symptoms he spoke about were ones I had. Afterward I went up to talk with him. He listened to my symptoms, gave me his business card and told me who to call Monday morning (this was a Saturday). He later changed his schedule to see me right away.
In the visit, it was easy to understand what he was saying. He said he would try some things first, and if they didn’t work, then I could choose whether to have an operation. I’ve gotten a steroid shot and medication that seem to be helping, and I have a follow-up appointment. Everyone has been very helpful as far as explaining the choices.
– – Anthony Ruggiero, Massachusetts
“If I had to rate the care from 1 to 10, I’d give it a 10+.”
At 75 years of age, I found that I was experiencing tingling in my fingers. I couldn’t move my arms over my head, and was walking in a crooked line. I learned that my condition was cervical myelopathy due to spinal cord compression. I went to other specialists before Dr. Papavassiliou. At that meeting I knew he would be the one to operate on me. He was a professional who knew what he was talking about. He was very nice, with some smiles although it was a serious topic.
I had an anterior cervical discectomy with fusion. I was treated with dignity, and everything they said they would do, they followed through. I made a special request about anesthesia and everything went exactly as I had asked. I had the procedure on Monday morning and was quite surprised to be up and walking with a nurse’s help on Monday night.
I can now lift my arms and walk in a straight line, and I can hold things without dropping them, which I couldn’t do before. I was more than satisfied with the doctor and his team. If I had to rate the care at Beth Israel Deaconess from 1 to 10, I’d give it a 10+. Also, they sent me home with all the forms filled in and I didn’t have to worry about a thing.
– – Lorraine, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
"I called him my favorite doctor."
At sixty years old, I started to have pain in my neck and arm that was so bad I couldn’t drive. It was hard for me to hold my head normally – I had to lean over. I had to sleep in a funny position. Over three months, as it got worse, I tried several medications and went from place to place. Then my primary doctor referred me to Dr. McGuire [a surgeon in the Spine Center at BIDMC]. Dr. McGuire said there were nonsurgical options.
As a next step I met with Dr. Keel [the Spine Center’s physiatrist]. He told me what it was: a "pinched nerve" or cervical radicular pain caused by arthritis of the spine and disc displacement. The next day he performed an injection. You don’t know what he did for me. It really gave me some relief. I was 95 percent better. The fourth or fifth day afterward, I was on a plane headed for vacation with my husband. I’m usually uncomfortable on a plane, but I actually went to sleep.
Dr. Keel’s bedside manner was excellent. He was so calm, and he explained everything. He and his technician were so gentle. At my follow-up, I called him my favorite doctor.
– – Katie Lindsey, Massachusetts
“I’m back to doing everything.”
At 53, I had a herniated disc in my lower back. The nerve pain went down my leg all the way through my foot, and no pain medication or treatment brought relief. I couldn’t sit, stand or walk for very long. It was hard to grocery shop and to do other normal things. One of the things I missed the most was walking.
I went to my primary care doctor and to a chiropractor. I tried cortisone shots for pain management. They helped, but didn’t fix the problem. My primary care doctor sent me to see a local surgeon, and I also wanted a second opinion. I got a lot of names for surgeons in Boston. My son wanted me to see Dr. McGuire. I had done my research, so when I met Dr. McGuire, I knew everything he was going to say. The situation was very scary for me, but the meeting was good. He was clearly very knowledgeable, and good at sharing that knowledge while explaining my options and the pros and cons. His assistant Liz and everyone at BIDMC was great. I knew I could call anytime with questions or concerns.
I had the procedure at BIDMC [a minimally invasive lumbar discectomy]. Everything was explained and I was comfortable with what was being done. When I came out of anesthesia, immediately the only pain I had was the temporary pain at the incision site. I was out the next morning, and walked from the beginning. I’m back to doing everything, including walks with my black lab, Pepper. I tell people who ask that I have no qualms about sending anyone to BIDMC!
-- Jane Rabesa, Cape Cod
“Having the surgery was the best decision I ever made.”
Diagnosis: Lumbar stenosis and spondylolisthesis with lower extremity radiculitis
My partner and I share a passion for gardening. But in 2006, the pain in my back and legs was too excruciating. The pain would go away, but then it would come back, and it was getting worse. The pain radiated down both my legs and one leg was weak. I would fall over when I tried to walk, and my partner had to carry me sometimes.
I went to my primary care doctor, a neurologist, and two other surgeons. I agonized over having surgery. When I interviewed Dr. McGuire, he inspired confidence. He was down-to-earth and reassuring. I’m 58 years old, and he said, “You’re young. You have a lot of good years ahead.”
I had the procedure – a fusion and titanium rods – at BIDMC. The nurses were very attentive. The aides were wonderful. My primary care doctor said it would take a month to recover, but I was off the morphine, walking around and ready to go home in three days. I walked a mile the third day.
Now I’m out in my yard gardening every day. I can plant flowers, go to the gardening center, tend the fish pond, fill the bird feeder…
This was the best decision I’ve ever made. I have my life back.
-- Mary Cylch-Gwydd, Somerville
