网曝门事件

For the better part of two decades, the person Eric Johnston knew himself to be began to slowly disappear. As the physical pain from an arduous life spent doing manual labor increased, the ease with which even rudimentary tasks decreased. Being able to swing a bat or golf club, picking up something on the ground, or getting in and out of a car became activities of the past.

For this man from an era known for picking oneself up by one鈥檚 bootstraps and depending on no one, rock bottom came in February 2016. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 fully aware of how the pain was changing me 鈥� the way I could or couldn鈥檛 do everyday things. I was eating too much, drinking too much. It wasn鈥檛 a hopeful path,鈥� says Eric. 鈥淭he farthest I was walking was from the sofa to the refrigerator and back.鈥�

By the time he was referred to Dr. LaFleur for a consultation, Eric weighed 313 pounds and needed a cane to get around, if he chose to move at all. X-rays showed so much bone spur material that the ball joints of his hips were not visible. Like all good care providers, Dr. LaFleur treats the whole person. He sent Eric through an orientation class that explained the high cost of doing nothing, the need to lose weight and change his diet, and the mental focus required to give Eric the best possible chance at success.

鈥淢ore than anything, Eric adopted the right mindset,鈥� says Dr. LaFleur. 鈥淲hen he had a clear vision for what he would be able to do in the future, the short term goals of weight loss and diet changes made complete sense to him. He embraced the need for change.鈥�

In February 2020, Eric underwent hip replacement surgery on his right hip first. Numbed from the waist down, he came out of surgery surprised at how quickly it happened. After the numbness wore off 鈥� and with a walker 鈥� Eric walked down the hallway. When asked his pain level on a scale from 1 to 10, Eric exclaimed, 鈥淶ero. I don鈥檛 have any pain.鈥� Even Dr. LaFleur was a bit surprised.

Six months later in August, the left hip was replaced. The staff remembered Eric from the first surgery. 鈥淎re you going to tell us there鈥檚 no pain again?鈥� asked one of the physical therapists. 鈥淚 hate to disappoint you, but I am!鈥� responded Eric. He was even able to leave the hospital earlier than expected.

Down from 313 to 187 pounds, from a 56 inch waist to a 36 inch waist, Eric has no pain in his hips or legs. Eric no longer requires the use of a cane, although he does carry it around.

When asked what the biggest difference is post surgery, Eric responded 鈥淚鈥檓 rediscovering my ability to do some of the most mundane things again 鈥� the freedom to do them for myself. Recently I went and threw balls for batting practice at the local high school!鈥�

Why 网曝门事件 Health Tillamook? 鈥淒r. LaFleur treated the whole me. And the technology has improved so dramatically from what it once was. The staff at the hospital provided the most incredible experience.鈥�

What advice would you give? 鈥淕o into it with the most positive attitude you can. Personally, I wish I鈥檇 done it sooner! I feel like I鈥檝e got a new lease on life.鈥�