Over this past summer, I experienced a series of unfortunate events that led me to Performance Spine and Sports Medicine in East Brunswick. Previously healthy, I tried to avoid doctors as much as possible (and yes, I am one). However, over a period of 3 consecutive months, I was diagnosed with polyarticular Lyme arthritis (resolved with antibiotics), tore the root attachment of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus of my knee in a classic fall by the side of my car after my knee gave out, and fractured my proximal humerus into 3 displaced pieces in another classic fall after my dog took off after a squirrel. I spent 3 days hospitalized with intractable pain (not able to tolerate pain meds) and intractable vomiting (from my attempt to tolerate pain meds), dehydration, and in preparation for and observation after my open reduction, internal fixation surgery. Despite my new state-of-the art titanium plate in my shoulder, I can honestly say that this was one of the low points of my life.
After 4 weeks of being immobilized and not able to work (and nearly losing my mind in boredom), I began physical therapy. As a doctor, I know how tough and painful the recovery from such a complicated shoulder injury can be. Yet, I was just as scared as any other patient would be in the given circumstance. And then I met my physical therapist, Dr. Darshan Patel, DPT. As a writer, I can sit and ponder all the adjectives I can use to describe what an amazing therapist he is, but I cannot think of one that would do him justice. He is knowledgeable (way more than that: when something hurts, he knows what is hurting and how to fix it). With a single grimace of my face, he knows the problem without me saying a word. More importantly, other than being exceedingly competent and skilled, he cares. It is obvious that he is not just doing a job, he is doing what he is passionate about. He is patient, kindhearted and he is going to get me back to full functioning whether I am able to or not. He is just that committed. Doing physical therapy 3 times a week for 3 months now, I’ve had the opportunity to see that Dr. Darshan is not just a fantastic therapist, he is an amazing human being as well.
Kim, the exercise specialist, is just as wonderful. She doesn’t just demonstrate what exercises to do, she explains it well and makes sure you are doing them correctly (even caught me cheating a few times). She never fails to ask me how I am and makes sure that I really am OK when I tell her I’m OK. In the future, any time I do 3 sets of 10 (or was it 15?), I will remember her gentle instructions and her watchful care.
As a family doctor, I frequently treat patients with injuries. I often tell them they should be better in a few days, a few weeks, a few months. As a patient, I’ve learned that living in those days, those weeks, those months is not so easy: those injuries become your whole life and every time you discover something else you can’t do, it smacks you down. I now see what an emotional journey an injury like mine can be. I never expected to be a person that could go from, “Hey! Look what I can do!” as I raise my arm above my head to impress my kids to an hour later sitting on the curb weeping by the side of my car because I closed the door the wrong way.
The physical pain is often less distressing than the mental anguish. But then I met Dr. Mahmud Ibrahim, MD. In our current broken healthcare system, I often hear patients complain about doctors. However, Dr. Ibrahim is the role model of what our profession should be. Yes, he is skilled, intelligent, compassionate. But those are just words. He has offered me options for my treatment that I would have never considered and probably many other doctors don’t even know about. After any visit with him, I walk out feeling calm and hopeful. And in my darkest moments, I know he is going to find a way to fix me. Simply, he is one of the kindest people I have ever met.
PSSM would not be complete without Janice, Jania (front desk receptionists), and Beth (medical assistant). No matter how bad the pain is, they make me smile and I forget about it for a moment. They are always smiling, and you can see how much they enjoy their work and the people that are coming in broken like me. They try to accommodate my complicated schedule and they are great in working with my patients who I refer there. Every patient who has come back after being seen at PSSM tells me what a remarkable place it is and the first-rate care they received. And no matter how rough the session of physical therapy and how sore I am, I always leave smiling because they never forget to wish me a good day or evening as I am walking out the door. I’ll never forget Beth siting next to me as I was receiving an injection talking to me to make it less painful.
For the rest of my life, whenever I remember the traumatic events of this past summer, I will never forget the kindness and great care I received by everyone at PSSM. I recommend them without any hesitation for anyone who needs this type of treatment. And if you have tried physical therapy or been treated by a specialist in PM&R and weren’t satisfied, please consider giving them a chance.
There are no words that can express my gratitude to PSSM, not just for treating my physical injuries, but for giving me my life back.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2018 Linda Girgis, MD, FAAFP
Linda, please get well quickly! Add Zinc 50 mg daily and a good Multivitamin for 60 days for a strong mend! Of course, now get a recheck for osteoporosis. I had a small stroke in February right after donating blood and developing viral gastroenteritis then dehydration. Did not recognize it as it hit my right leg with weakness while walking my 2 miles and I ached all over from the virus. Next day right hand weakness made me good to the hospital where I had been Chief of Medical Staff. Got better quickly.
Being injured and having set backs is terrible. As you said, not being able to do things that you previously took for granted, is a real eye opener. Just food for thought, think of the elderly patient who cannot do the things they once did. They may not ever regain that activity of daily living, and that must be a depressing fact of life that they may have to live with. With injuries or the elderly having a supportive team of healthcare providers is essential.
Great point! And I think of that often. I am so fortunate that I have the opportunity to get my function back. I don’t think I will ever take that for granted again.
Dr. Linda
I am so happy to hear that you’re feeling better, Dr. Linda! You are an amazing physician and deserve to receive the best care possible! When osteomyelitis was introduced to me after spine surgery about fifteen years ago, I was devastated! After one year of intravenous antibiotics with home health care, I had to learn to walk and to drive again. The physical therapists, massage therapists and occupational therapists were so devoted to my recovery that I actually cried with gratitude. As an addiction psychiatrist with many patients who see me for pain management, I always try to incorporate physical therapy as part of treatment when it involves physical injury/trauma/pain. On a different note, I live in gratitude today as I almost lost a close family member to cancer this year. We went through surgery and chemotherapy, something I had also gone through several years back when a close friend and colleague was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. I went to every single chemotherapy treatment and spent the time getting to know the other patients that were also getting treatment. The medical staff was incredibly positive and very devoted to patient care! I was humbled by the courage and tenacity with which these cancer patients ranging in age from the early twenties to the late eighties tolerated the pain and side effects of their treatment. I crafted colorful wire angels, folded miniature origami cranes and lilies as well as provided words of encouragement when I could. Each day, now I pray for each person who lives with cancer or continues to bravely fight the cancer in their lives. Please keep working on your physical therapy, Dr. Linda! It seems rare to find those who practice medicine with passion these days but when you’re lucky enough to find those who do, we must cherish them with every cell in our bodies!
Takako Vivian Ishimaru-Tseng MD: I thought I had previously responded to this but I see I have not. Thank you so much for your kind words. I always enjoy hearing from you. Sorry that you went through such a rough time! Glad that you recovered but sorry for your friend.
Even as I doctor, I realize now that it is not so easy to understand going through something like this without actually going through it. For example, on Thanksgiving, I am always the one who cooks. But, my orthopedist told me no lifting, which would include a 20 pound turkey in and out of the oven. So, we went out to eat instead. I could tell my kids were disappointed but didn’t say anything. I went home and sat by myself and cried. There is no worse feeling than disappointing your kids. And not by something I had any control over. Just every day seeing what I can and can’t do has been such an eye-opener. Thankfully, I’m almost able to do most things again. Still can’t sing but wasn’t able to before either.
And I agree I am fortunate to have found such great doctors and healthcare providers. It means so much! Please stay well!
Dr. Linda