OSC - Patient Stories

Danny Kennedy

Hi, my name is Danny Kennedy.  I am a Northrop Grumman employee.  If there is anybody out there that is having the kind of terrible back and leg pain that I have been having, I want to let you know there are people that can help you.  The people that helped me are Doctor Jeffrey Carlson and his staff from Orthopaedic & Spine Center. 
 
On May 31, 2009 I woke up and was not able to stand or walk without having terrible pain down my left leg.  This pain was terrible even if I had taken powerful pain killers.  I would walk about 20 steps then I would have to stop and sit or lay down.  Eventually I could only get around by using crutches so that no weight would be placed on my left leg.  
 
If you are like me the idea of back surgery worries you.  I started researching lumbar fusion on the internet.  One person would say how bad her results were, other people would say how great they are doing now after having the fusion done.  Doctor Carlson eased my mind to a certain degree when he confidently described the procedure that he wanted to do to me, but what really put me at ease was, one day I was talking to his nurse, Kaye Dame about the operation.  She took the time to restate what had to be done to help me.  When I told her about what I found on the internet, she said, ‘Doctor Carlson wouldn’t operate on you if he didn’t think that he could help you’. 
 
On July 7, 2009 Doctor Carlson performed the surgery.  When I woke up from that surgery, the terrible leg and back pain were gone.  I only had some minor soreness from the incision.   Every day since I have continued to feel stronger and have less soreness.  I can walk and stand without pain.
 
Thank you, Doctor Carlson and staff for your care.  And thank you for giving my life back.
 
Danny Kennedy