Tina's Story: From Daily Pain to New Freedoms in Life
Neck and back pain affects every part of your life. Let’s get you feeling better at Baptist.
Tina's Story: From Daily Pain to New Freedoms in Life
At 65 years old, Tina stays active. She attends events with her children and grandchildren, enjoying every moment with them. Even with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, Tina lets nothing slow her down.
Everything changed one day while Tina was FaceTiming her grandsons.
Sudden, Threatening Pain
“I turned my head to say something to my husband and suddenly went into a severe vertigo spin,” Tina said. “An ambulance took me to the hospital, where I underwent an MRI. What those images revealed was shocking.”
Tina first followed up with her primary care provider, Cecilia Hansford, APRN. Cecilia knew that Tina’s condition was serious and referred her to Baptist physician and neurosurgeon Evan Lewis, M.D. at Baptist Medical Group - Neurosurgery.
She also connected Tina with an ear, nose, throat (ENT) specialist for her vertigo and another Baptist specialist for bone density management. This helped Tina gain a big picture of her overall health so she could make the best decision regarding her neck.
Soon after, Tina met with Dr. Lewis. He explained that her spinal cord was so compressed and twisted that the fluid surrounding it was no longer flowing normally. Dr. Lewis described it as “start-stop, start-stop" instead of a continuous flow. Once Tina understood how serious the situation was, she knew surgery was likely her only option.
“Looking back, I realize I had been living with neck pain and stiffness for years,” Tina said. “I would wake up with headaches, push through constant discomfort and pain, always finding a way to keep moving – even though my way included ice packs and pain medicine daily.”
Surgery and Condition
Tina underwent surgery on June 9, 2026. Once the surgery began, Dr. Lewis realized that her issues were much more severe than they first appeared.
“After reviewing my condition, Dr. Lewis performed a complex fusion from C2 to T2,” Tina said. “What was expected to be a fusion of just two vertebrae became seven. My two-day hospital stay became four days.”
Tina’s positive experience helped alleviate her fears. “The nurses and other staff made me feel completely at ease,” Tina said. “The overnight nurses were especially thoughtful. They came into my room quietly without turning on lights or making unnecessary noise. They allowed me to rest comfortably while still providing excellent care.”
Tina’s experience with the entire team was incredible. She says that they struck the right balance of professionalism and personability.
“From registration and lab staff to X-ray technicians, nurses, housekeeping, food services and Dr. Lewis himself, everyone seemed happy to be at work and eager to help,” Tina said. “That positive attitude made a world of difference during one of the most difficult times of my life.”
Recovery with the Help of Andrews Institute
Recovery has been the most challenging part of Tina’s journey. Six weeks after surgery, she began physical therapy at Andrews Institute twice each week. “Every week I notice improvement,” she said. “I'm back outside, weeding my garden. The muscle spasms that used to shoot through my back when I moved my neck the wrong way are gone. The constant headaches and daily discomfort I accepted as ‘normal’ are gone.”
Tina considers her peace of mind to be the greatest thing gained from the experience. “My attitude has changed because I know my neck is stable and protected. My shoulders are not slouching anymore. I am excited about a future with fewer aches, fewer limitations and more freedom.”
Advice for Those Living with Back and Neck Pain
If there's one piece of advice Tina would give others, it's this: Don't put off surgery. Looking back, Tina thinks she should have addressed her neck issues ten years earlier when symptoms first began. She also encourages other neck surgery patients to follow their recovery instructions carefully and take the medications prescribed by their care team. Staying ahead of pain and inflammation makes a tremendous difference in healing.
“I’m sharing my story because the care I received from Dr. Lewis and everyone involved in my treatment was truly exceptional. They didn't just perform surgery. They gave me confidence, hope and the opportunity to move forward with my life again. Giving them five stars rating isn't enough.”
Neck and back pain affects every part of your life. Let’s get you feeling better at Baptist.