Not only does she have an incredible journey of fight, healing, strength, determination and a whole lot of supportive family and friends, she is STRONG in so many ways.
I witnessed Monica pre surgery and post. I watched her make her come back. There is no quit in her heart.
I asked for her story because one, she is a dear friend of mine that loves fitness and nutrition as much as I do and two, because I have seen so many people blame their health issues on why they can not exercise instead of why they can. Monica didn’t make excuses… she got up and fought for HER life.
She amazes me daily.
Thank you Monica for sharing your journey of strength.
Love, Mitzi.
I was 8 years old when my grandmother discovered that I “was crooked.” I was getting out of the bathtub, and had bent down to pick up my towel when she noticed. She gasped “Oh my God!” and I cried thinking something was terribly wrong with me. A trip to the pediatrician confirmed that yes I had scoliosis, but it was possible that I could grow out of it. At 12 years of age, my parents were told that surgery would be in my future, but there was no rush since I really didn’t have any symptoms. Not wanting to increase the curves or risk “hurting my back,” my mom discouraged gymnastics, outdoor sports, etc. and encouraged music and art. I was a quiet teenager, and I internalized stress. My relief of anxiety was generally through playing the piano, but I found that walking calmed me and made my back actually feel better. Throughout my adolescent years, I developed a love for exercise and being outdoors. I was the high school student that looked forward to P.E. every day…sad but true. At 18 years of age, my back pain had escalated to the point that I asked my parents to find a surgeon. I was ready. In June 1993, my lumbar spine was fused with 2 rods placed. By the end of that summer, my endurance was good and I was ready to start college.
Over the next 20 years, I became a wife, a physical therapist, a business owner, and a mother to 3 beautiful children. I figured out how to maneuver through life and all of its adventures, and more importantly, how to keep my back pain at bay. I knew my limits and stayed just on the safe side of them.
After the birth of my third child, I was struggling to lose the baby weight. One day while sitting at my desk, I was very discouraged and confided in my assistant (who was a retired drill sergeant and a marathon runner). She asked me to go run with her. I literally laughed out loud. I was NOT a runner. I was a walker. She said, “Monica, anybody can run. Let me show you how.” That was the day my new love was discovered! Six months later, I ran my first ½ marathon. I loved running, and I loved the quick results that I saw in my figure and on the scales.
In the next few years, I tackled 2 additional ½ marathons with my running group, hired a personal trainer, discovered HIIT, fell in love with TRX, and participated in multiple boot camps. Exercise had become a necessity for me. I needed the accountability of my workout partners. Those early morning runs before the sun came up were more beneficial than any medication available. It was my way of dealing with stress and anxiety, and I had become an endorphin junky!
In 2014, I began to notice that my recovery following a hard day at the gym or a long run was taking longer than it should. I also noticed that my posture was changing. Being a physical therapist, I knew the importance of pre and post stretching, and was very vigilant with my routine. However, the soreness and limitations in movement felt different than they had in the past. I looked different and I couldn’t self-correct. A friend recommended that I go see Dr. Daryl Hanson at Baylor in Houston. He had heard of many positive outcomes from this particular surgeon, and knew that he could help me. I hesitated to go, because after all, pain was not limiting me…or so I thought. I felt like it was more an issue of vanity, and for that I was a little embarrassed. After much discussion with my husband and mother, I decided to go. What could it hurt? Dr. Hanson is a kind and patient doctor. He explained that the level above my fusion had slipped forward causing my trunk to lean forward. Changes in your body with age and pregnancies occur, and this could not have been avoided. He also told me that it would only continue to worsen and recommended that I have surgery sooner than later as the healing rate would be faster. I was overwhelmed to say the least. I knew what was ahead of me. I knew what recovery would be like. Been there! Done that! He met every question that I had with honest, unsweetened answers. He assured me that I would be able resume my activities once healing was complete…THEN he stopped and asked exactly what were the activities that I was so concerned with resuming…he couldn’t believe that I had completed ½ marathons, lifted weights, flipped tires, jumped boxes, pulled sleds, liked obstacle courses…the list went on…with rods and a fusion! He understood quickly that I was not speaking of resuming elliptical workouts or treadmill runs.
On June 11, 2015, I had the first of two 8-hour surgeries. Dr. Hanson and his team removed all of the hardware from my original surgery, and replaced them with 4 rods and 19 screws. Five days later, the second surgery consisted of an osteotomy at one level in my lumbar spine to create a lumbar lordosis. I was in the hospital for 11 days. All I remember is severe relentless pain. My back hurt so badly that no position relieved it, and my quads felt like I was laying in fire. My husband and mother took shifts rubbing and praying. Every day, the physical therapist would set my goal, and I would purposefully exceed it. I was determined to recover. My in-laws brought their RV to transport me back to Louisiana so that I could lay on the bed versus sitting in a car. Have I mentioned that my family are all angels on earth?! The 3 months that followed were extremely rough. I suffered with severe depression, back pain, and constant nerve pain in my legs. I would wake up every morning crying. I thought I was losing my mind as did my children. My husband was a constant positive. He was my cheerleader.
He reminded me daily that I always achieved whatever I set my mind to. I never let my back be an excuse to limit my desires or achievements. There was no need to start now! I remembered the verse of scripture that I repeated for miles during each race…Philippians 4:13 “For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This scripture has carried me through state boards, child birth, times of fear, and yes even races. I decided enough was enough. My children were watching me, and it was time to step up. I set my goals for the driveway. One trip to the mailbox and back became two. Two became four. The tears eventually subsided, and the burning pain became tolerable. I was healing. I remember my first trip back to the gym. That familiar setting was so very intimidating. My right leg was still very weak, but I had a plan. I knew a really good physical therapist (yours truly), and together we were going to get my strength back. It took 4 months and a week to achieve a single leg squat on the right. I was finally equal bilaterally. It was a great day!
I am two years post op, and going strong. Clinically, I know that my spine and back musculature need a regular strengthening program to remain strong and function normally. Holistically, I know that I, Monica, need daily exercise to manage my stress and anxiety. I am a better wife, a better mother, a better therapist, and generally a better person when I am calm, happy, and relaxed as a result of my exercise regimen. My goal in life is to grow old with my husband. I want to live to see my grandchildren. I want to lead my children by example today, so that they will have long healthy lives as well.
I have had people comment that my story is an inspiration to them. I’ve never felt like an “inspiration,” I was just getting through each day! I can say that, yes, I am proud of what I have accomplished and continue to accomplish regardless of my physical limitations. However, I feel like every person faces obstacles in their life that may seem unbearable, but with a little faith, true grit, and sheer determination, anything is possible! Believe me when I say, If I can do it, you can too! Set your goal. Work on it daily. Witness your walk become a run.
