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Copyright 2005
Memorial Hospital, Inc. Towanda, Pennsylvania
All Rights Reserved

Getting My
Life Back
Written and Photographed
by Jeff Russell

Determination. Resolve. Dedication. Robert Sparks radiates these qualities especially when it comes to facing difficult and challenging health issues. Robert has spent more than his share of time in hospitals and rehab centers. He's overcome heart disease, battled diabetes, and has endured at least a dozen surgeries.

"My family and I moved to Towanda ten years ago following my 26-year career with the Gulf Oil Corporation located in Gladwine, a suburb of Philadelphia where I was a tractor trailer driver," Robert says. "One of my biggest concerns about moving was that I would need to find a new doctor", he said with great concern.

Robert discovered very quickly that his concerns were unfounded. His first experience with Memorial Hospital was in 1997 when a doctor from Geisinger referred him to the cardiac rehab program. "I was amazed at how much the nurses in cardiac rehab cared about me!," he recalls. "The nurses taught me a lot and helped me one hundred percent! I learned about proper diet with the help of a dietitian. The nurses gave me an exercise program that was just right for me."

A couple of years later Robert experienced shoulder and back pain. He needed to see a doctor. At the recommendation of a friend, Robert made an appointment to see Dr. Stephen Becker, a family practice physician with PhysicianCare, PC in Towanda. "I liked him immediately," Robert said of Dr. Becker. "He is a great listener and I knew I was in good hands." After reading the results of an MRI, Dr. Becker recommended physical therapy.

"I'll have to admit that I was not very excited about going to therapy," Robert said. "I had seen a physical therapist when I lived in Philadelphia and I always felt like I was going to the therapy factory." His bad impression of physical therapy was about to change. "From the moment that I walked in the door at Memorial Hospital's Outpatient Therapy Clinic, I knew I was in good hands," Robert exclaimed. "Everyone was so friendly and helpful, especially my physical therapist, Tina Robinson."

That positive therapy experience was the first of many more to follow. "I had problems with my right knee for many years," Robert explained. "Prior surgeries at other hospitals did not prove to be successful and I was in a great deal of pain," he said.

Robert explained that Dr. Becker referred him to see Dr. Jose Nazar, an orthopedic surgeon at PhysicianCare. "Dr. Nazar took one look at my x-rays and said my knee was among the worst he's ever seen!" Robert said. Robert decided to take Dr. Nazar's advice and have total knee reconstruction and replacement surgery.

On February 11, 2002, he entered Memorial Hospital for his eighth, and most extensive, surgery on his right knee. This was his first orthopedic surgery at Memorial Hospital. "The process was unbelievable!," Robert exclaimed. "Everyone was so nice to me. Dr. Nazar has an excellent team, from admission personnel to the operating room nurses, everyone took very good care of me!"

Robert was very pleased with his care in the hospital following his surgery. Dr. Nazar came to see him at least once a day. Occupational therapist, Sarah Keene, helped him with his shower. Physical therapist, Carol Allen, began the process of exercising his new knee. Nurses and nurses aides were there around the clock to keep him comfortable. And, of course, his wife, Marie, and son Charles, were by his side most of the time.

Dr. Nazar was always positive and realistic. "You're doing super," he told Robert on the day of his discharge from the hospital. "Now it is up to you. Be careful. Take it slow. Listen to your physical therapist," Dr. Nazar explained.

For the next several weeks Robert went to outpatient physical therapy. "I just can't say enough good things about Tina and the therapy department," Robert said sincerely. "Tina was excellent. She listened. She helped. She encouraged. She laughed. She was my inspiration to get better!" "Robert has exceeded all our expectations," Tina said. "We expected to see Robert work up to 78 degrees of bend in his knee due to the extensive reconstruction during his surgery. We were all amazed when he was able to reach 95-100 degrees of bend with his new knee," she said.

On June 7, five months after the surgery, Robert had a checkup appointment with Dr. Nazar. Before and after x-rays were displayed on the lighted board in the examination room. "That looks very, very good!," Dr. Nazar exclaimed. "I can't believe my eyes!" Robert was quick to respond. "I can do things now that I have not been able to do for 30 years," he said.

Dr. Nazar offered words of encouragement. "Be very careful, keep working on strengthening your muscles, you have excellent range of motion, use your brace when you walk on uneven ground," he said.

Robert listened intently. He knows that Dr. Nazar is the master when it comes to orthopedic surgery. After all, he's experienced the miracle of being able to walk without constant, unbearable pain. "I am so proud of you Dr. Nazar!," Robert said affectionately. "It was your hands and your knowledge that have made the difference for me. You gave me back my life."

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