Member messages: New hip changes member's life

On February 14, I met with a neurosurgeon for my back. He was quite possibly the third or fourth medical professional to tell me by that point that I needed a hip replacement because hip issues were the reason I could not walk well and was getting hung up when I stood up. Before that point I had seen chiropractors, osteopathic doctors, and orthopedic doctors for advice on what to do about the pain radiating into my leg, which caused me not to walk well at all. Instead, I had a bad limp and terrible pain.

Later that day, I opened up the Samaritan Ministries Dashboard, broken-hearted and overwhelmed with knowing I needed a hip replacement and not knowing what to do next. I began to wonder, “How am I gonna be able to afford such a surgery? Is this going to be the right choice for my family who relies on me so much? How can I do this right now at such a busy time for our school, my students, my children, and my husband, who is the headmaster?”

On the Healthcare Bluebook™ page, there’s a phone number. I made the phone call. Christy picked up the phone and from that point forward, she became my concierge. She prayed for me, she even had tears with me that first day when I told her how bad things had gotten. I told her my whole story and I wept, and she was there with me in my sadness on the other end of the phone. I could hear the sincerity in her voice.

During that call, Christy explained all that I needed to know and that at that point they would take control of contacting doctors for me. She explained the process very well and was in touch with me faithfully just to hear how things were going and to touch base. She was an encouragement for me at a time when I had lost hope. I was sad and scared.

Fast-forwarding to May 17, I was able to get a wonderful surgery with an incredible doctor, who did a very specific hip replacement procedure. I had surgery at 8 a.m. and was walking in my front door at home by 4 p.m. On day two after surgery, I went to physical therapy in the morning and the physical therapist told me I no longer needed the walker or the cane. I was able to go up and down stairs with a better gait than I had before I had surgery. I could stand for long periods of time without pain. I went from sitting to standing without getting stuck or hung up.

My life had changed. I am now so thankful for the hip replacement. If I had it to do over again, I would just do it sooner. Thank you, Samaritan, Healthcare Bluebook, and especially Christy and your team for being by my side, the whole time and still to this day.