4 Level ADR-16 Months-10km race
Well it has been 16 months since my 4 level ADR surgery and I couldn't be happier.
I have been given back the life I was told I would never have again and for that my family and I are eternally grateful for the help we received from everyone at the Pro Spine team.
Since my surgery I have been able to return to the physical activities that I used to always do in life. With lots of hard work I was able to run my first competitive race and completed a 10 km race 7 months after my surgery date. I am able to go inline skating and to load my son in the carrier backpack and spend hours hiking up mountains. This fall I am hoping to compete in another race but his time will be aiming for the goal distance of 20 kms! To be honest the best thing I am able to do now physically is picking up my kids without any pain, or pick up my wife for that matter.
Because of this surgery I was able to return to school to restart my paramedic training. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first but I managed to pass my EMR with 0 issues with my back. I was able to pass a paramedic physical with flying colours and I am now currently studying to complete the next level which is my primary care paramedic and I am now confident I will have no issues as long as I take the proper precautions and do things properly.
I never returned to my desk job as I had so many problems in the past that were related to that type of work. I currently work for a patient transfer company lifting/moving patients in the stretcher or stair chair all day long and driving for extended periods of time. My back does get a bit sore and tired after a long day at work but it's no different than anyone else I work with whom most have healthy backs.
I honestly cannot say enough good things about this surgery and everyone at Pro Spine. As nervous as we were traveling such a great distance for such a major surgery they made us feel right at home and followed through with exactly what they said they would do. I have told so many people about the great experience we had there. Being in the healthcare field I come across a wide variety of people with different issues and I feel very bad for some of the back surgery patients that had surgery done here in Canada with poor outcomes. I have been approached by many people in the hospital who have had failed back surgeries wanting to know more about what I had done and where to get more information about it as they are still suffering in pain. Every last one of them are amazed at how well I am and the field of work I can work in. Even some of my co-workers are surprised at what I can do!
If anyone is reading this and has any further questions about what my life was like prior to surgery, what others treatments I tried prior to or just about my current state I would be more than happy to answer them for you. I can be reached via email at
The only negative thing about having this surgery done is that I can no longer use the excuse of 'my back hurts' to get out of doing things I don't want to do.
Brandon Cleverley
