My Comeback Story: Laura S.

I had an old injury that would flare up occasionally over a 10 year period. No big deal until it was. At the end of July 2025, after PT and Chiropractors for months, my back worsened to the point I could no longer stand up straight. The pain was unbearable. I teach, kids how to swim and on a Saturday morning in August, one of my swim students' parents saw how much pain I was in and noticed I could not stand up straight. She asked me if I was ok and if I had seen a doctor. Long story short Cassandra Tang who works with Dr. Landry, got me in on the following Tuesday. Best decision ever! This was the end of August. He told me to continue with PT and suggested an epidural steroid injection. What I loved was that he didn't try to sell me on surgery. However, the pain became worse, and nothing was helping. The shots, the steroids, PT, nothing was working, and now I am literally crawling because the pain was so bad. Shooting down my leg and causing numbness. I finally told Dr. Landry I don't want any more temporary fixes, they aren't working anyway and that is when he said surgery is the permanent fix. So, here we are getting the surgery scheduled, November 20, 2025. I still had over a month to go. I couldn't do anything for myself, miserable with pain. When surgery day arrived I was nervous but ok at the same time. Dr. Landry and his staff had prepared me very well. Good quality preparation for the surgery. About an hour or so afterward the surgery, I stood up straight and the pain in my back and leg was completely gone. My mother even said I forgot how tall you were. I walked up and down the hallway and got released to go home. The very next day I walked a mile, not all at once, but a quarter of mile at a time. Don't take the small things in life for granted. I am 3 months post op and walking 2 miles on some days but at least a mile everyday. I still have a ways to go before I am back up to speed. I have followed all their suggestions even when I am biting at the bit to get back into my very active lifestyle. I love scuba diving, family photography on the beach, paddle boarding, chasing my grandkids etc... Thank you, thank you, thank you, Dr. Landry, PA Tang, and the rest of the staff at Orthopaedic Associates for allowing me to get my life back. Y'all are a Godsend and I pray blessings over each of you. Also, thank you Dr. Landry for not pushing surgery on me right off the bat, even tho that is exactly what I needed. Much love to you all ❤️