Toy McNeal is able to manage her lymphedema after learning massage and wrapping techniques through Mary Free Bed's Lymphedema Program.

Hope is what motivated Toy McNeal to find ways to manage her lymphedema – an abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid (a clear fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infections and other diseases) in a body part that causes swelling. Typically, arms or legs are affected.

After having a procedure to improve a health issue, Toy found herself dealing with a new condition as a result of surgery.

Two years ago, when Toy went to her post-surgery check up, she noticed her ankles were pretty swollen. She was soon found to have lymphedema and the swelling continued to worsen.

“From there I went slowly downhill,” says Toy. “The swelling went from my ankles, to my legs, to my thighs.”

Toy was told to seek medical help and went to a lymphedema program at a local hospital. But she knew within the first few appointments the program wasn’t for her.

“I wasn’t receiving what I needed because I wasn’t learning about my situation,” she explains.

Toy began researching her condition on the Internet. She wanted to know if certain foods affected her swelling and which types of exercise can help.

While trying to figure out her condition on her own, Toy’s lymphedema continued to progress and she had a hard time coping. The only advice she was receiving from a doctor was to eat more protein, which wasn’t working.

And, her symptoms weren’t improving. Toy experienced labored breathing, nausea, and often felt lethargic. It was difficult for her to get around; even walking proved to a struggle at times.

In October 2011, Toy finally reached a breaking point when she had to go to the hospital after falling out of the shower.

During her hospital stay, Toy’s IV worsened her lymphedema. Her swelling became severe from her waist down.

“I was so swollen,” says Toy. “It was frightening.”

Toy realized she had to learn to manage her condition.

“I never experienced a situation like this before,” she says. “If it’s not going away, I at least wanted to be able to manage it.”

Toy spoke with other women at her work who highly recommended Mary Free Bed’s Lymphedema Program. She wanted to know if the program could work for her, so Toy asked her doctor to refer her.

In December, she started the 3-week program and immediately learned ways to manage her lymphedema.

Toy learned massage techniques and how to wrap her legs to reduce swelling. In fact, soon after treatment her swelling went down 23% in one leg and 9% in the other.

She continues to wear compressed stockings during the day and wraps her legs at night, which now only takes her 30 minutes instead of an hour.

Toy thought the program was challenging because it was new, but the progress and knowing what to expect gave her hope.

Today, Toy is able to manage her lymphedema, and she’s transitioned back to her life.

“I felt helpless before the program. My goal now is to enjoy life with lymphedema. It’s not a struggle anymore. I can live.”

Charlotte Milligan writes for the Hope Restored blog and assists in managing Mary Free Bed’s website and social media.

The Fifth Third River Bank Run is one of the first races in the United States to include wheelchair and handcycling divisions. With the help of the Mary Free Bed Guild, the River Bank Run added the wheelchair division 23 years ago and the handcycle division in 2005. Both divisions are sponsored by the guild. The guild provides $36,000 in sponsorship monies as well as continued support to racers.

More than 50 racers are expected to compete in the race’s handcycle and wheelchair divisions. Among those athletes are past Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital patients, many of whom received their first exposure to handcycling and wheeling during treatment at the hospital.

Nick Long

This year marks Nick’s third River Bank Run race.

Nick Long, a handcyclist from Essexville, was injured in a diving accident 9 years ago. Before his  injury, Nick was an avid upright cyclist. During his rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed, Nick was introduced to handcycling and was immediately hooked. Each year, he competes in other races around the state – Rochester Hills, Flint, Traverse City – but says the River Bank Run is one of his favorites because of the support he gets as a wheeler through the organizations involved, specifically Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital and the Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association (GRWSA). Nick trains twice a week, often with his two children.

Bryan Wilkinson

Bryan Wilkinson enjoys competing in handcycling races and is GRWSA's handcycling coach.

A dirt bike accident 12 years ago sent Bryan Wilkinson to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for recovery and rehabilitation. He discovered competitive handcycling through Mary Free Bed’s Adaptive Sports Program. For the past 5 years, the 30-year-old has participated in handcycling races. Since 2010, he’s been the coach of the GRWSA’s handcycling team. He trains each year for the race both individually and with his GRWSA teammates, which meets weekly to cycle up to 26 miles on the White Pine Trail.

Tabitha Landon

Tabitha Landon began handcycling 3 years ago.

Tabitha Landon, from Lake Odessa, is the youngest female handcyclist competing in this year’s Fifth Third River Bank Run. Last year, she won first place in her division with a time of 1:26:00. Tabitha is a Lakewood High School junior and competes in handcycle races all over Michigan. She loves the competitiveness of the sport and practices often with the GRWSA handcycle team.

David Briggs

David Briggs believes wheelchair tennis and handcycling has changed his life for the better.

This year’s River Bank Run marks the 12th anniversary of the motorcycle accident that injured David Briggs. David was introduced to handcycling by his recreational therapist during his rehabilitation at Mary Free Bed. While not an overly competitive racer, David loves the speed of the handcycle and feeling the wind race past him. When he’s not racing, David enjoys cycling with his kids and playing tennis on the GRWSA team. He works at UPS as a clerk and as a union steward representing about 175 employees.

Matthew Smith

This is the first time Matthew will compete in the River Bank Run.

Matthew Smith is a thrill seeker. Even before his motorcycle accident in 2007, Matt raced dirt bikes competitively. Post injury, he became a handcyclist for the same reason – the thrills. He also appreciates the social aspect of the sport. Matt trains on the weekends with the GRWSA handcycle team, and finds it incredibly motivating and supportive. He considers this race to be the ultimate test of his skills, as it will be the longest-distance race he’s competed in. Matt plans to finish in under 2 hours, which potentially places him in a top-finisher category with a cash prize payout.

Nathan Schout 

Nathan Schout from Holland, Michigan, began wheelchair racing 2008, and set his River Bank Run personal record at 1:58:07. With a good chunk of prize money awaiting the winners, he’s shooting for an even better time this year. Nathan is an engineer, and has worked at his current job for more than 10 years. He also plays on the co-ed Grand Rapids Thunder wheelchair rugby team when he’s not training for the River Bank Run. Read more about Nathan on www.MLive.com.

Fast and furious: Quad rugby player, Colin Sullivan, is committed to living out his dreams. In addition to traveling the country and skydiving, Colin is loving the intense and fast-paced game of rugby.

Early that morning, around 5 a.m., Colin drove from East Lansing to his home in Grand Rapids, an 80-mile journey he had taken countless times in the past as a Michigan State University student.

Exhausted from the previous night’s activities, which included a holiday concert at his alma mater, Colin attempted to remain as alert as possible as he drove. He listened to the radio and gazed at the snow. Despite his best efforts to stay awake, Colin suddenly fell asleep behind the wheel, lost control of his car, and drove into a guardrail.

After being unconscious for six days, Colin woke to discover he had been admitted to Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital due to the severe injuries he suffered from his car accident.

Colin’s C-7 vertebrae was bruised, an injury that paralyzed him from the chest down. To help him adjust to the life-altering injury as quickly as possible, Colin headed to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital a few days before New Year’s Eve.

“Since I was born in Grand Rapids, it was natural for me to do my rehab at Mary Free Bed,” Colin said. “A lot of my friends and family members were home for the holidays, too, so they were able to come out and support me at the hospital, which helped me recover faster.”

For the next 3 months, Colin received occupational, physical, and recreational therapy on a daily basis. While receiving physical therapy, he lifted weights and used the hospital’s pool regularly.

“I found the weightlifting equipment to be among the most valuable to my recovery since the accident had led to a considerable deprivation of my strength,” Colin stated. “As I gained strength throughout the coming weeks and months, I became more and more functional and independent.”

Colin’s ultimate goal was clear – to gain back his independence and to continue to live his life in much the same manner as he had before the accident. And, Mary Free Bed’s therapists helped him achieve his goals faster than he could have ever imagined.

“They equipped me with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for myself and live independently, which was a particular concern of mine since I was a 23-year-old single guy at the time,” Colin said.

He added, “The recreational therapists exposed me to the many opportunities that existed for people with disabilities. My transition to the ‘real world’ was much easier thanks to them.”

As Colin began to gain confidence in his abilities to live life to the fullest, despite his disability, he decided to commit himself to living out his dreams.

“After my accident, I went skydiving, traveled throughout the country, and purchased and designed a new condo in a high-rise in downtown Grand Rapids,” Colin stated. “I’ve been able to maintain the interests and pastimes I enjoyed prior to my accident.”

In the meantime, he has also discovered a new hobby – the sport of rugby.

“The rugby I play is actually a paralympic sport,” he said. “It’s a cross between conventional rugby, football, and basketball. It’s currently the only adaptive sport exclusive to quadriplegics.”

After only playing the sport for two years, Colin is already competing in tournaments headed by the United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA). Most recently, he participated in a USQRA tournament held in Hudsonville.

Each tournament, which has a round-robin format, is open to public attendance, without charge. And, most importantly, since it’s designed specifically for quadriplegics, Colin believes all disabled individuals who are interested in the sport, and enjoy the thrill of competition, should at least consider playing it once. Perhaps, it will even lead them to participate in the sport on a competitive basis.

“The USQRA’s tournaments are fast-paced and intense by design and in practice,” he said. “If someone is a sports junkie, but they believe that they can no longer compete in sports due to their disability, then they likely haven’t heard of rugby. The USQRA’s rugby events are fun, highly competitive, and provide great opportunities to meet new people.”

As Colin prepares for the future, he is focused on further developing his rugby skills, as he continues to reach for the stars and accomplish all he possibly can.

“My experiences at Mary Free Bed played a significant role in my commitment and ability to live my present-day lifestyle, and to enjoy my passion for sports, including rugby,” he said. “I am looking forward to exploring new opportunities and to achieving more goals in the future.”

For more information about the United States Quad Rugby Association (USQRA), as well as the USQRA tournament which recently occurred in Hudsonville, visit www.quadrugby.com/node/1890/s.

 Chris Lewis is a writer and editor for several national online publications. He’s been writing patient stories for the Hope Restored blog for about a year.

David, featured artist for the 30th Annual Mary Free Bed Guild Fine Arts Exhibition, sustained a brain injury that caused him to have an uncontrollable seizure disorder. He’s learned to accept life as it is, and is committed to use his disability to expand his artistic talent. Here, David talks about how his art has helped him with his rehabilitation.

► View David’s artwork

A fall in 2008 caused Vern to break his C2 vertebrae resulting in quadraparesis. He never thought he'd be able to design flowers or paint again. Because of therapies received at Mary Free Bed, Vernon can again walk, draw, and design.

Often the road to hope and recovery is a maze with twists and turns that move forward then backward. Vern Criner has been navigating his maze for 4 years. Vern has suffered setbacks, surgeries, and despair. But, his times at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital have provided steps forward toward hope.

Vern was a florist by trade for 42 years, but flowers aren’t his only artistic medium. A painter and event planner, Vern loves bringing beauty to others. Over the last 4 years, quadraparesis (paralysis of arms and legs) left him in an electric wheelchair. He couldn’t walk. He couldn’t create. His health deteriorated as he endured a number of surgeries.

After a surgery in August 2009, Vern asked to rehabilitate at Mary Free Bed. He was at his lowest point when he was admitted to inpatient care.

“I had lost hope,” Vern explained. ”I even considered taking my own life.”

The 5 weeks of care and compassion he received at Mary Free Bed turned him around.

Vern started with physical therapy and occupational therapy. He thrived under the care of Dr. Bloom. After mentioning to his occupational therapist he had been a florist, she connected Vern with recreational therapy.

“The therapists were demanding and kept pushing me,” Vern remembered. “At the same time, all of them were giving me hope. I started to think that maybe I could walk again.” 

In between therapy, he started to paint again. “When they put the paintbrush in my hand, I thought, ‘I think I can.’ I told my therapist that I would be so disappointed if it turned out like a third grade painting. It turned out great and she took me to get a frame. She even asked me to enter 3 pieces in the art show at Mary Free Bed.”

Vern came home with new hope and confidence. But there was a turn in his maze to recovery.

Blessed Virgin "Pray the Rosary" is Vern's entry into the 2012 Mary Free Bed Guild Fine Arts Exhibition

After an additional surgery, he fell. Needing to relearn to walk, Vern said, “I felt I had lost everything again, and I lost hope.”

Through additional therapy, Vern started back with the use of a walker. When they gave him his cane, he started to believe he might recover. This time he returned home walking with a cane!

The next step forward for Vern was when he was able to create beauty for others.

“At home I designed a flower arrangement for myself,” Vern said. “I created a cornucopia for the social room at my living facility, and I designed a silk flower arrangement for my neighbor.”

Forward and back, the maze of recovery is ongoing for Vern. Having been told he wouldn’t walk, he has walked 280 feet without any aid. Having lost the use of his arms, he returned to painting and creating beauty to share with others.

Vern was just released from Mary Free Bed after recovering from another procedure. The therapy and support he received from the staff at Mary Free Bed strengthen him to move forward.

Vern explained, “Mary Free Bed has saved my life by giving me hope and giving me freedom.”

View Vern’s work as well as pieces from other Mary Free Bed Guild Art Exhibit artists

In case you missed the article in the April 15 edition of The Grand Rapids Press, here’s how gait analysis is described:

“A gait analysis is a detailed description of a patient’s walking pattern. It’s not a diagnostic tool, rather it’s a comprehensive evaluation. This test tracks how the body moves and records muscle activity as a patient walks…Mary Free Bed’s Motion Analysis Center is the only gait lab in West Michigan, and the only accredited lab in Michigan.”

Post continues below photos ….

So, a couple weeks after the MAC manager recommended I have this gait study, I found myself in my shorts and tank, with reflectors stuck to my skin, walking the MAC’s motion highway. Here’s what I discovered through my analysis and a lot of talk with the center’s motion pros:

• The motion test itself isn’t a hard test, it’s just long. Testing takes between 2-4 hours. If you get tired, you can take a break at any time. Because my movement information was strictly for use in the Motion Analysis Center’s “normal” database, my test took only about an hour.
• The gait analysis doesn’t hurt in any way. Biggest complaint: Taking all those sticky reflective markers off at the end of the test. A little annoying, maybe, but nowhere near painful.
• The motion experts and the cameras need to see various body parts along with the markers. That means wearing close-fitting shorts and shirts. Girls need to have on a shirt (or sports bra) that exposes the sternum, spine, and lower torso. Guys can go shirtless.
• If, on a daily basis, you use a walker, cane, crutches, ankle or leg braces, or a shoe lift, you’ll need those for the walking test.
• Parents or caregivers can stay with the patient through the whole test. If siblings need to tag along, toys are available for the kids. Snacks are offered during the test, and parents can help themselves to coffee and tea. It’s a long test, so the center wants everyone to be as comfortable as possible.
• For pediatric patients, staff will pop a movie in the DVD player to keep them distracted during the lengthy marker-placement process. Or kids can bring along a hand-held device.
• Patients have a comprehensive exam by a physical therapist to gauge how strength and physical impairments may be affecting gait.
• The MAC staff is top-notch – not just off-the-charts smart, but also friendly and easy-going. If you have a question, they have an answer.

Connecting the dots at Mary Free Bed’s Motion Analysis Center from Mary Free Bed on Vimeo.
In this video: Using reflective markers placed on a my body, the dots (or markers) connect on the computer to show a 3-D model of my body in motion. The Motion Analysis Center staff analyzes and interprets the data to make treatment recommendations.

To learn more about Mary Free Bed’s Motion Analysis Center, visit www.maryfreebed.com/mac.

Sandra Mitchell writes for and manages the Hope Restored blog as well as Mary Free Bed’s websites and social media. She’s been helping Mary Free Bed patients tell their stories for 6 years.

“16 years ago today, my life changed forever…it was a miracle that the bullet didn’t hit any major arteries…I have my down times bc being a C5 quadriplegic isn’t easy but 3 things get me through everyday, my faith, my friends, n my family.”

Staying positive: After accidentally being shot, Erica Byers Pelton regains strength and independence through intense rehabilitation therapy at Mary Free Bed.

Erica Byers Pelton was 17 years old the night she was hanging out with friends in a minivan. Her buddy pulled out a gun, and Erica told him to put the weapon away even as she saw the flash of a bullet. The gun fired, a bullet hit her neck, and her life was changed.

The bullet cleared all major organs, but lodged in her spine. The result: complete paralysis.

In the ambulance Erica asked the EMT if she was going to live. Little did she know that she would not only survive, but thrive.

The next couple weeks were full of pneumonia, fever, and a partial lung collapse as she recovered in the hospital. When she finally stabilized, Erica was transferred to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Arriving at Mary Free Bed, Erica remembers being in shock and pain, but being committed to staying positive.

“I immediately forgave my friend for shooting me, because I didn’t want any bitterness,” she explained.

Erica had no idea how difficult the therapy would be for her to reach her goal of independence. She needed to have the skills to be alone during the day. She tackled the physical therapy and occupational therapy, in addition to returning to her high school studies. Erica was committed to graduating with her class even though she was a year behind. She set big goals for herself.

“I had the best therapists, nurses, and doctors in the world,” Erica said. “They became part of my support system.”

Her therapists set up a rigorous schedule.

“It was hard,” she remembered. “They pushed me hard, and I had to stay positive, get through it, and get tougher. It wasn’t easy to stay positive, but my family and friends, my faith, and those therapists got me through. ”

At Mary Free Bed, Erica recovered partial feeling in her chest. Through her therapy she learned to drive a power wheelchair (with no feeling in her hands), to eat with a fork attached to a band, and use the phone. The therapists did more than teach her skills, they became her friends.

“One of my therapists would take me to get pickles, which were my favorite,” said Erica. ”We would sit and chat.”

Three months later, Erica was scared when she moved home and put all her therapy to work.

“Mary Free Bed was a protected environment, so I was scared to leave,” Erica recalled. “Once I got home I knew pretty quickly that I would be okay. The skills I learned at Mary Free Bed allowed me to be independent from 7 am – 4 pm while my mom was at work.”

Erica continued at Mary Free Bed with 6 months of outpatient therapy. Meeting her goals didn’t make life easy for her. A number of times she fell and waited for hours for someone to help her. She returned to high school in a wheelchair and had to deal with gossip and cruelty.

Erica did not let any of it stop her. She graduated from high school on time, and graduated from college with a BA in psychology. She fell in love and got married. She gained three step children and a new passion in life.

Now, Erica is an advocate for Crohn’s Disease. Her 17-year-old daughter has the disease. Erica organizes fundraisers and advocates for research and a cure. She has taken the strength and determination that fueled her recovery and invested it in others. She still credits her positive attitude, her family and friends, and God for her continued success. Erica has not just survived, she has thrived.

Back in the saddle: Constant joint pain from lupus and rheumatoid arthritis didn't keep 18-year-old Kelsey down for long. Aquatic therapy at Mary Free Bed quickly helped alleviate Kelsey's discomfort. Now, Kelsey is looking forward to prom, running, and horse back riding.

At first glance, Kelsey Winslow is just like any other 18-year-old high school student.

She loves to meet new people, hang out with friends, and spend time with relatives. More often than not, Kelsey has her phone in hand, texting with her pals. Kelsey also can’t wait to attend her upcoming senior prom. In fact, dancing is one of her favorite hobbies.

But, there’s much more to Kelsey. She has visions for her future, and dreams to use her abilities to improve others’ lives. She’s courageous, strong, and resilient.

Last May, Kelsey was diagnosed with two diseases many girls her age have never even heard of: lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

“A couple years ago, I began to have joint pain, so I decided to see my primary care physician,” Kelsey said. “Soon after that, I was diagnosed with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis – all on the same day. I was shocked.”

Before her diagnosis, Kelsey didn’t realize the seriousness of either condition.

After meeting with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis specialists, Kelsey began to understand how each disease can affect a person’s overall well-being. Her specialists developed treatment plans so she could receive the most reliable and effective care available.

“My specialists prescribed some medications, which have been very helpful so far,” Kelsey stated. “They also recommended that I receive physical therapy as soon as possible.”

To help alleviate the pain of her aching joints, Kelsey and her mom researched some of West Michigan’s top orthopedic rehabilitation programs. They ultimately chose Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.

Seven months after she was first diagnosed, Kelsey enrolled in aquatic therapy and began to receive the treatment she desperately needed. For the next three months, Kelsey regularly attended sessions to regain her strength and to lessen her pain.

The results of her therapy were quickly apparent.

“I noticed that my pain decreased over time, within the first couple weeks, actually,” Kelsey said. “As time went on, I felt more and more like myself again.”

Kelsey, her doctors, and her therapists are all focused on that exact goal – to help her feel like herself again, and to enjoy all of the activities she used to, completely pain-free.

She remains hopeful that she’ll be able to once again jog outside for long distances. Kelsey looks forward to playing some of her favorite sports, such as track and soccer, without the constant joint pain she’s experienced in recent years. Most of all, she can’t wait for the day to come when she can ride horses again, for miles on end.

Kelsey is also excited about her future career. She’s focused on becoming a professional daycare provider, while also partnering with her mother as the co-owner of a wedding consultation business.

At the same time, Kelsey understands she can’t achieve her goals without maintaining a positive attitude – and she recommends that all future Mary Free Bed patients do the same.

“Even though I’ve had my ups and downs, I always live my life as if it was my last day on earth,” Kelsey said. “I just hope that other patients realize there is always someone out there they can talk to whenever they need to.”

She continued, “Life can be challenging at times, but you have to keep your chin up. Continue to move forward, and be as strong as you possibly can. You can overcome every challenge you face, even if it seems impossible at the time.”

A brain hemorrhage left 11-year-old Taylor unable to walk and in severe pain from spasticity. A baclofen pump and physical therapy helped alleviate Taylor's pain and find mobility.

It’s been 11 years since 19-year-old Taylor Cunningham suffered an AVM rupture, which caused a hemorrhage in her brain and left Taylor unable to walk. Just a young girl at the time, Taylor had to undergo several surgeries. Yet it was the severe spasticity that caused Taylor the most pain, a constant presence in her life for months.

Taylor’s mother, Dori, recalled doctors’ initial attempts to treat her daughter’s spasticity with oral baclofen.

“It wasn’t helping at all,” Dori said. “By the time it gets to your system, you’ve already lost 50 percent of your dosage.”

To Dori, 50 percent wasn’t good enough. Since the oral baclofen had little effect on Taylor’s spasticity, Dori and staff at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital decided to try the baclofen pump. A device surgically implanted in her lower abdominal area with a catheter running to her spine, the baclofen pump delivers medication directly to the place that needs it most, providing immediate relief from the spasticity that caused Taylor so much pain.

“It’s immediate,” Dori said. “It really relaxed her, you could really see the pain in her body [before].”

Dori’s mother credited the baclofen pump with taking Taylor’s pain away. Without the severe spasticity, Taylor’s range of motion improved, and she was able to go ahead with her recreational and speech therapy at Mary Free Bed.

Therapy was the right choice for Taylor, Dori said. After her daughter’s brain hemorrhage, Dori admitted it was often discouraging to see her daughter unable to move or express herself with words. Several months of inpatient therapy at Mary Free Bed gave Taylor a chance to learn to do these things again.

“Even though she lost a lot of things, if we didn’t [do the therapy] we wouldn’t have known what she would have gained.”

Taylor’s therapists were just as important to Taylor’s progress, too.

“We had such a great group of therapists that really went out of their way to improve her quality of life,” Dori says. “I couldn’t imagine our time without them.”

The baclofen pump certainly helped relieve Taylor’s severe spasticity and pain. But to Dori and Taylor, Taylor’s therapists were the ones who pushed her to keep doing more and to realize her potential.

Like mother, like daughter: Erin and her daughter, Rachel, no longer in chronic pain after receiving treatment from the Headache Program at The Pain Center at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital

Headaches and migraines run in Erin’s family, so it was no surprise when her daughter began to complain of headaches. When Rachel started missing school and had used up Erin’s bag of tricks for relief, it was time to get Rachel some expert help. Rachel was referred to The Pain Center at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital by her pediatrician for treatment of chronic tension headaches.

Erin recalls how kind and wonderful the staff at The Pain Center was to her daughter. Rachel embraced the program and seamlessly integrated the principles of it into her life. She’s now headache free and a freshman at Michigan State University where she passes on to her stressed-out fellow students the information she learned through the Headache Program. Rachel’s story had a fast and happy ending.

But during the time Rachel was receiving holistic and non-invasive treatment at The Pain Center, Erin was suffering greatly from headaches – as well as suffering from the treatment. She wondered why her own doctors weren’t referring her to The Pain Center.

Debilitating pain leads to life on meds

Erin also began getting headaches in her teen years, specifically migraines without aura, but it was in 2005 − about the same time her daughter was being treated at The Pain Center − that her migraines became so debilitating the quality of her life deteriorated.

However, Erin trusted her doctors and was determined to do whatever her medical professionals prescribed.

“First, I was trying working with my MD,“ Erin said. “Then we tried a neurologist. I saw him for a year, and he did nothing but prescribe me a new drug every month or two. It was really pretty awful.”

Desperate for pain relief, Erin continued to trial medications, a journey that lasted about 5 years. She had preventative medications as well as rescue meds for when the pain was dire – all with side effects.

“I know at one point I was on something, I don’t remember what it was, but it honestly made me stupid. I remember telling my kids ‘I’m sorry. It’s these meds I’m on. I can’t remember anything. But if it helps my migraines, I’m going to be on it for the rest of my life, and you’re just going to have to be patient with me.’”

Erin became alarmed when she found herself on anti-seizure medication and underwent a lumbar puncture to test the pressure in her head. As a last resort, Erin agreed to Botox injections in her forehead and temples. She can laugh about the experience now, describing how peculiar it was not to be able to move her eye brows.

Depression and inactivity sets in

In addition to the physical side effects of the medications, Erin recalls being very depressed during this time of chronic and crushing pain.

“I felt bad about my relationship with my daughters. I was practically an invalid. I didn’t want them [my daughters] to have a mom who’s an invalid. I didn’t want them to remember me that way. I didn’t want them to have to take care of me or be considerate of me. I wanted them to be inconsiderate and take me for granted, you know, like happy kids do.”

During the 5 years of Erin’s debilitating headaches, her life was on hold. Eventually, Erin was able to function through some of her pain, but she was careful to monitor what she thought were all her headache triggers – being at the movies, loud noises, working on the computer – because nearly all stimuli would bring on a migraine.

Erin thought about job hunting or going back to school, but realized she wouldn’t be able to physically handle that, either. And, when her pain became too much, Erin would take her meds, go to bed, and hope to sleep off her headache.

Attacking the pain from all angles

At last, with no more medical interventions available, Erin found her way to The Pain Center’s 12-week Headache Program.

“Everyone was tremendously compassionate,” Erin says. “The team approach is so effective. Often these things aren’t simple. We needed to attack it from all angles at the same time…For me, the physical therapy was the real break-through.”

Erin’s physical therapist helped her learn better alignment and posture for all of her daily activities. Additionally, Erin learned stretches that still help her with pain prevention today.

Stress and tension were big factors when it came to Erin’s migraines. With the help of physical therapy and biofeedback, Erin learned to decrease and eliminate muscle tension in her body. But even before treatment at The Pain Center, Erin recognized she needed to deal with stress, which led to a new activity – Taekwon-Do.

Three and half years after beginning the martial art, Erin is now a high red belt, which makes her a black belt candidate. She even landed herself a job at her dojang.

“Punching and kicking things is really good stress relief,” Erin says with a laugh.

While the physical therapy was very powerful for Erin’s pain relief, she believes that it was being listened to by The Pain Center’s team that was most helpful.

“Chronic pain is a lonely experience. You look and sound normal. People don’t understand or don’t know you’re in pain. Or they’re sick of hearing about it, or you’re sick of talking about it. So, you don’t talk about it anymore. There’s nothing anyone can do about it anyway. You hunker down and get through it.”

She’s a lot more fun now!

When asked how she’s changed since her treatment at The Pain Center, Erin laughs again.

“I’m a lot more fun now!” Erin reports. “I’m not telling people to turn things down all the time. I cook more. I’m on my feet doing stuff. I’m socializing more. Before, I would plan something with friends and have to cancel. I stopped making plans because there was such a good chance I would cancel. I’m keeping up with friends and family a lot more now.”

While Erin readily admits Headache Program at The Pain Center is a lot of work, she also says that it was time well spent.

“I was very tenacious and I followed all the instructions. Sometimes, physical therapy makes things hurt more before they feel better. But I showed up, did the work, and it absolutely worked.”

Rachel, via email, seconds her mom’s thoughts about the Headache Program.

“The program definitely made a huge impact on my life,” Rachel wrote. “The most helpful part of the program, for me, was learning stretches and mental stress management techniques that I could keep doing on my own after I was done with the program. I still use them now. It improved my quality of life, without a doubt. I no longer had to worry every day when my headache was going to hit. And, when I did get one, I knew how to get rid of it. I’m so glad I did the program, and I’m glad it was able to help my mom, too.”

For more information about the Headache Program at The Pain Center at Mary Free Bed, visit: www.maryfreebed.com/thepaincenter

Sandra Mitchell writes for and manages the Hope Restored blog as well as Mary Free Bed’s websites and social media. She’s been helping Mary Free Bed patients tell their stories for 6 years.