I have Dr Rogers to thank for the rest of my life. At 12 I was told by a specialist that I was born with a deformity in my spine which was causing slight scoliosis. At 20, I started experiencing back pain, constantly feeling the need to crack my back for some relief, tossing and turning all hours of the night, seeking massages. As I started to get older, the pain only increased. By 23, my back began to “lock” on me. I would bend over or lean forward and my nerves would pitch, causing me to not be able to move for a few seconds. At first I had kaiser insurance, the “spinal specialist” if you can even call her that said there was no possible surgery to fix my spine and back pain. She told me PT and epidural spinal injections were the answer….. (wrong, very wrong!) I got this run around with kaiser for 2 years!!!!
By 25, I was BEYOND frustrated and in pain, so my (now) husband put me on his insurance, and I was able to find Dr Rogers. She requested an MRI and X-rays, and saw what was wrong with my spine and what needed to be done. I needed a spinal fusion and decompression. She even referred me to a spinal specialist in LA, to get a second recommendation, and he agreed with everything she wanted to do for my surgery. I had full trust in Dr Rogers. She was always kind, always informative, and reassured me I was going to be alright. As a fellow athlete, she understood what I was sacrificing for this surgery. My love for playing soccer would have to come to an end post surgery due to the risk of blowing out another level of my spine. She was compassionate and again gave me reassurance I would eventually be pain free and be able to carry my own children which was the most important to me.
I underwent my lumbar spinal surgery with a spinal fusion and decompression August 2016. The pain and recovery I experienced post surgery was the most pain I’ve ever felt. Pain meds helped, but you really have to be dedicated to taking the vitamins Dr Roger recommends, and doing the amazing PT she prescribed. The PT was Pilates based, and it seriously did my recovery wonders.
By March 2017, I was ready to move to another state and went in for one last check up with Dr Rogers. She did another X-ray, and told me that my fusion looked so good and healthy , that I could start playing soccer again. Not competitively, but recreationally, and now I am nearly 2 years post spinal surgery, playing on 2 soccer teams, active in the gym, and my husband and I are trying to start a family.
I still experience soreness in my lower spine if I lift too heavy of objects the wrong way or work out too hard, but that is to be expected. I have been off any type of medication spine related for over a year now, and it’s nothing a little ice won’t cure. All in all I have a lot to thank Dr Rogers for. She saved my back.
Thank you so much Dr Rogers!!!!