meet lori
Lori Heimann
Lori has lived in Greensboro since 1973, and she is the proud mother of Joshua and Rebecca and grandmother of Hannah and Jacob. She graduated from Peace College and UNC-G and was married to Jerry until his death in 2013. Lori was a lighting consultant for 15+ years, and she has volunteered in our community at the Jewish Family Services, among others. Lori has undergone 4 different back surgeries, yet she continues to live with pain and has difficulty walking. But her “can do” attitude keeps her moving forward!
My back troubles started in 1994, and my first neurologist said fusion surgery wasn’t necessary. Throughout the years from 1994 until 2006, I saw quite a few doctors and none of them had a solution for my pain, until I found Dr. Mark Roy. Dr. Roy is a smart, skilled neurosurgeon who showed particular compassion. He was never too busy to listen and explain things to me. He diagnosed me with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and severe sciatica. He performed my first spinal fusion in 2007. While the fusion reduced the pain, I still suffered. In 2009, I had a spinal stimulator implanted. It helped for two years, but ultimately didn’t solve my pain.
In early 2011, I fell while working and fractured my T12. This required my second operation, which was essentially a T11-L1 lateral fusion. In 2013, I was diagnosed with “flat back,” which is a condition
in which the lower spine loses some of its normal curvature. I underwent another surgery for this and two days later had an additional operation for a thoracic spine fracture. That fused me from T11-S1. I developed “gluteal amnesia” or “dead butt syndrome” – where the gluteus medius stops working.
For months following each surgery, I wore a back brace and restricted my motions such as bending, lifting, and twisting.
I continue with physical therapy to this day to help maintain my strength, mobility, and flexibility. I consciously have to think about what I’m doing in order to take care of myself. I don’t want to overdo it.
In 2019, I was fused from T8-L1. That was my last surgery, as well as the most difficult and painful. Unfortunately, as a result I developed Trendelenburg gait. After so many surgeries, doctors’ appointments, physical therapy appointments, and battery replacements for my implant, I still struggle with pain and mobility. The surgeries corrected anatomical problems and were necessary, but they didn’t “fix” me. My current diagnosis is Adult Degenerative Scoliosis, which affects my posture, my gait, and my self-esteem. I wish my back functioned well, but I’m living with what I have.
I’ve always looked after other people. I continue my volunteer work, despite the pain in my back, because it gives me joy. I’m a very giving, loving, and caring person with grit and determination.
meet jane
Jane Taylor
Jane is a native of Greensboro, with deep roots in the community. Jane graduated from Western Guilford High School and then Duke University with a bachelor’s degree in English and Education. She has been a high school and middle school teacher, teaching English, Drama, Old Testament, and Computers.
In 1984 her college career was interrupted by severe back pain, which was corrected with a Spinal Fusion at Duke Hospital. It worked just fine until 2007, when the pain returned. No longer surgically repairable, Jane has sought alternatives for pain relief, delving into medical information about how our bodies work.
She began working out in the water in 2010 and started teaching water fitness in 2012. She now teaches 6 classes at Spears YMCA and 2 classes at SageWell (ConeMed @Drawbridge) each week.
I experienced my first severe back pain when I was 19 years old and in college. It took a whole year to try to fix it… with no improvement. I finally went to Duke Hospital for a spinal fusion of the L5-S1.
The good news is that the fusion worked. It relieved my pain, and after recuperating for about five months, I went back to college. As time went on, I learned to keep my weight down and to exercise consistently to keep my back happy.
Decades later, I experienced a muscle spasm in my back that didn’t release for months. Oh, no… here we go again! This time, there was no surgical means of correction. So, I’ve explored a bunch of alternatives, and a combination of treatments are keeping me active.
Now I focus on pain relief through multiple approaches: the pain management office, gentle exercise in the pool at my local YMCA, regular chiropractic care, relaxation through massage, physical therapy, gratitude, and mindfulness. Rest and quality sleep have become central for my health.
I currently teach water exercise classes at my local YMCA, sharing my knowledge with other people who live with pain.
I’ve discovered that I understand people in pain in a way that I never did before. A person who hasn’t experienced pain cannot truly empathize.
