Rebecca Zaraya, 68

I was always extremely active, then in 2004 I went to work, and suddenly I was not able to walk. The burning and pain in the bottom of my feet was horrible. I was seen by several doctors, and they all said that it was in my mind. My blood showed that my RF factor was very high, but they insisted that I just had peripheral neuropathy. In the meantime, I was suffering with burning pain day in and day out.

I researched the neuropathy on the internet, and then I found a physician at the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, Florida. After many X-rays of my feet, blood tests and nerve exams, I was diagnosed having nerve ending damage to both feet. Until this day, I suffer with burning feet and ankles.

In 2007 I was working hard and then started to suffer from severe back pain. I interviewed four spine surgeons, and after many MRIs, CT scans, X-rays and blood tests, I was told that I needed to have spine surgery. I was not satisfied with the doctors I consulted with, so I researched on the Internet the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Miami. I had my primary doctor refer me to that department for treatment. I met a wonderful neurosurgeon, Dr. Michael Wang, and he was so honest, sincere, very humble and caring. He told me that I did need surgery soon. I had a double fusion L4-L5 by Dr. Wang and then rehabilitation.

My operation seemed to give me some relief, but when I came home at the end of December 2007 I was diagnosed with severe RA, COPD, Sjogrens Syndrome and GERDS (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). I was unable to take even one step. My knees were like balloons. I had my legs drained several times. In September 2008 I tore my left knee just by walking, and my orthopedic specialist said that I needed surgery immediately. After that surgery, my balance is off, so the last few months I have had many falls. My feet and knees have not improved yet, but I am very hopeful that the medications I get will soon help me.

I am most grateful to my two beautiful dogs; if it weren't for them, I probably would have been confined to a wheel chair. But through their love for me and our outings together, they help me to always be positive and to force myself each and every day to walk, swim and keep moving. I do exercises everyday. While I am sitting in my chair, I have a floor bicycle that I peddle to get my leg exercises, and three times a day I walk for about 30 minutes with my pets. I am so lucky to be here and everyday to me is a day of joy, even though my feet burn and my fingers hurt. I keep that positive attitude always. As for me, I hope that I can put on my tap dancing shoes very soon.

More Stories