Lavern’s Story

This picture of Lavern Wiltse at the controls of her helicopter was taken back in the 70’s, when she became the first female in the Utah army reserves to get her wings. Her achievements as an army helicopter pilot were so significant that in February, she was inducted into the Women in Aviation Hall of Fame. 

 Lavern flew to Florida to attend the ceremony, and as the plane touched down in Lake Buena Vista, she felt extremely grateful for the surgery she’d had in December. Because without that surgery, she never could have made the trip. 

 Nearly four years ago, Lavern began feeling pain in her back. The pain got worse and worse as she tried various forms of physical therapy and injections. Eventually, she could no longer drive a car because if she held her hands up to the steering wheel, they would go numb. She couldn’t turn her head either direction. And she took a neck pillow everywhere she went to support her head. Her neck pain had become debilitating.

 For a woman who had always been an active, healthy contributor in her job, community, and family, it was a frustrating reality to live with. 

 She finally went to see Dr. John Edwards. Her MRI showed that she had 3 degenerated discs in her back, and several bone spurs, which were impinging on her nerves. Dr. Edwards performed a minimally invasive surgery to remove the bone spurs and fuse all 3 discs. He also repaired multiple levels of arthritis in her neck. 

 Lavern isn’t flying helicopters any more, but she’s still working. She loves her part-time job as an aide for special education buses, and is grateful to be back at work, still serving her community, and still making a difference.

#summitbrainandspine

#dredwards

#lifeisback