Testimonial - Knee joint replacements - Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis

Date of Birth	1946
Occupation	Communications Manager (Public Relations)
Hobbies/Activities	Water Colour Painting, Drawing, Making Jewelry, Sun Catchers & Wind Dancers and Bikram Yoga
What condition have you been diagnosed with?	-Advanced degenerative osteoarthritis (12 years) -Rheumatoid arthritis (4 years) -Two total knee joint replacements (from rheumatoid and osteoarthritis) -Two back surgeries (for advanced osteoarthritis) -Extensive abdominal surgery from reconstruction of a breast after cancer. -Neuropathy (nerve damage in both feet from knee joint replacements)
How long have you been diagnosed with this condition?	In 1993, after dealing with severe lower back pain, frequent problems with my knees buckling and a very stiff neck I began to loose feeling in my left leg. Extensive testing finally led to a diagnosis of aggressive and advanced osteoarthritis; bony spurs had formed between by vertebrae and sacral joint (L5 S1), blocking nerve pathways. Surgery to remove the bony growth, and to fuse the L5- S1 with bone taken from my hip resolved the back pain but significantly reduced my physical activity. 1993 - August - Back surgery due to advanced osteoarthritis in the spine. The arthritic growth had closed off the never pathways, and had to be removed, leaving the area unstable. I had a fusion of my Lumbar 1 vertebrae and the sacral joint, using a bone graft from my hip. 1998 -June - Extensive abdominal and underarm surgery following breast cancer. Two minor surgeries prior to the mastectomy, then a 9-hour surgical procedure using of one of my abdominal muscles for reconstruction; I never rebuilt my core strength after the surgery. 2001 - Feb and Aug Arthroscopic surgery on both knees due to arthritic damage. Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Began a series of treatments for the rheumatoid arthritis, all with toxic side-effects; thus requiring weekly blood samples. 2002 - January, total knee joint replacement of right knee, Sept. total knee joint replacement of left knee. Neuropathy (nerve damage) in both feet as a result of the surgery. I needed prosthetics to support my feet; walking was very painful (two-blocks was my limit), and I stopped all forms of physical activity. I was exhausted all the time from the rheumatoid arthritis and had to sleep at least 12-hours a night. I napped on a daily basis. 2003 - In August I noticed that a minor back pain was growing worse, by mid-September I could barely walk, I used a walker for a short period then I began using a motorized scooter for the handicapped. An MRI in December revealed a growth in my spine. 2004 - January - Back surgery for removal of a growth in the L4-5 region, and removal of osteophytes within the L2, 3,4,5. I had limited mobility, I used the electric scooter, then progressed to the walker. In March I left work on a disability claim.
How would you explain your diagnosis?
What kinds of things about your diagnosis affect you:
- Physically?	I needed prosthetics to support my feet; walking was very painful (two-blocks was my limit), and I stopped all forms of physical activity. I was exhausted all the time from the rheumatoid arthritis and had to sleep at least 12-hours a night. I napped on a daily basis.
- Psychologically?
- General Quality of Life?	I was on morphine to deal with the extreme pain prior to the surgery, I used a motorized walker (scooter) for moving about the house, and I could not manage stairs nor could I go out. Friends brought me food and medications during this period. This wasn't the life I planned, I had a new grandson and I couldn't carry him around, my dreams of playing on the beach with my grandchildren, of being the nana you did fun things with seemed impossible. I was getting counseling at the arthritis centre, learning how to live a life of physical limitations.
What Treatments are you receiving & how were they working?	I was on a wide variety of drugs: antidepressants, pills for the osteoarthritis, injections for the rheumatoid arthritis, sleeping pills, pain pills and naturopathic supplements.
How did you hear about Bikram Yoga?	In August 2005, my daughter took me to a session of Bikram yoga.
Did you have any fear of tendencies about the yoga?
How long have you been practicing the yoga? How often per week?	In September 2005 I started Bikram. I have been going to yoga at least five days a week since I moved to Vancouver ...in February.
What changes have you noticed in yourself that you believe are a result of you practicing the yoga?	I am starting a full time job, something I never thought I could do again. I take my three year old grandson to the beach and the park; I pick him up to hug and comfort him when he needs it and I can stoop down to look at all the exciting things a young child finds on the ground. I go for walks, but I can't do a walk and yoga on the same day.
Has any of your conventional treatment changed since practicing the yoga? (i.e. discontinuation of medication)	I no longer take any medications for pain, for rheumatoid arthritis or for osteoarthritis. I sleep well, I eat well and I live well.
What would you like to tell people who are feeling hesitant about trying the yoga?	I believe than anybody can do this yoga, you have to trust the process, listen to your body, don't push yourself or try to do what others are doing, and be grateful that our bodies are resilient and we can rebuild after extensive damage. Bikram's yoga gave me my life back and for that I am deeply grateful.
*This testimonial has been condensed