Northern Anesthesia & Pain Medicine, LLC
Your Stories
We're here to help, but the stories are yours. This page is to give credit where credit is due - to you who've not only done the hard work of healing, but are also willing to encourage the community by your examples of perseverance and courage in not letting pain define and limit you. Thank you for the privilege of serving you.
“The triumphs and tribulations of being wheelchair-bound for 20 years.”
In March 1998 I had a mini-stroke. I started taking aspirin as instructed, but in April of that year while building my house, I had another one, and fell off the building, landing on my head and crushing the C5-C7 vertebrae in my neck. I was paralyzed instantly from the armpits to my feet. Surgeons did all they could, but a month later, while still recovering in the hospital, while I requested help to adjust myself in bed (I can’t move) an orderly jerked on my upper body roughly and broke my neck again. Another 6-hour operation on my neck, and 4 months in the hospital recovering followed that. Needless to say, adjusting to the reality of my paralysis, the future of my business and my family’s survival have not been easy.
Being paralyzed sets one up for multiple other problems and setbacks, and the harsh realities of both inevitable medical complications and avoidable negligence on the part of others have led to quite a bit of additional suffering I am not going to expound on here.
I was referred to Dr. McAnally a couple years ago for help with pain management, and he and his team have helped in many ways, praying with me, and helping me to detoxify off of stupefying doses of narcotics I’d been put on. My quality of life has been much more productive, and I am much more aware of my surroundings since coming off of these.
There have been many other individuals in my life that have graciously and kindly helped out. Friends have housed us, and helped us to build a wheelchair-friendly house. Our family and friends have supported me emotionally, physically and financially. Many care assistants over the years have been a Godsend.
Above all, I have had to grow in my absolute faith and dependence in God. That relationship has required me to choose forgiveness for the negativities and hardships that have placed burdens upon me and my family, and contributed to my earthly destiny of being wheelchair-bound. God is my sole strength.
-John Alexander
“The triumphs and tribulations of being wheelchair-bound for 20 years.”
“The triumphs and tribulations of being wheelchair-bound for 20 years.”
In March 1998 I had a mini-stroke. I started taking aspirin as instructed, but in April of that year while building my house, I had another one, and fell off the building, landing on my head and crushing the C5-C7 vertebrae in my neck. I was paralyzed instantly from the armpits to my feet. Surgeons did all they could, but a month later, while still recovering in the hospital, while I requested help to adjust myself in bed (I can’t move) an orderly jerked on my upper body roughly and broke my neck again. Another 6-hour operation on my neck, and 4 months in the hospital recovering followed that. Needless to say, adjusting to the reality of my paralysis, the future of my business and my family’s survival have not been easy.
Being paralyzed sets one up for multiple other problems and setbacks, and the harsh realities of both inevitable medical complications and avoidable negligence on the part of others have led to quite a bit of additional suffering I am not going to expound on here.
I was referred to Dr. McAnally a couple years ago for help with pain management, and he and his team have helped in many ways, praying with me, and helping me to detoxify off of stupefying doses of narcotics I’d been put on. My quality of life has been much more productive, and I am much more aware of my surroundings since coming off of these.
There have been many other individuals in my life that have graciously and kindly helped out. Friends have housed us, and helped us to build a wheelchair-friendly house. Our family and friends have supported me emotionally, physically and financially. Many care assistants over the years have been a Godsend.
Above all, I have had to grow in my absolute faith and dependence in God. That relationship has required me to choose forgiveness for the negativities and hardships that have placed burdens upon me and my family, and contributed to my earthly destiny of being wheelchair-bound. God is my sole strength.
“The triumphs and tribulations of being wheelchair-bound for 20 years.”
Life is good.
My story is as much about my husband as myself. It is our story because Don was greatly affected by my disability that kept me reclusive and wrapped in ice for months at a time. It was Don who assumed the responsibility for finding the people and places that might relieve my misery. It began at the age of 61 with a sudden piercing pain that shot from the base of my skull up through my head with a force that I would not have thought possible. It came from a water skiing accident that severely damaged the occipital nerve which is a large nerve capable of horrendous, unmitigated pain. The first diagnosis was a muscle spasm that, I was told, would go away. It didn’t.
Over the years I tried chiropractic, hypnosis, acupuncture, traditional medicine, homeopathic medicine, nerve blocks and surgery. Still the trips to ER continued sometimes more than once a day. 9 surgeries and countless procedures later I was pain free for what turned out to be a temporary cure. Don and I resumed our practice of riding bicycle and we started tracking the miles. I was two rides away from 1,500 miles for the year when I started feeling the twinges in my neck that signaled the return of pain. There was no surgical fix this time. Pain meds were the only option. They became my lifeline.
Then we moved to Alaska. The meds continued by adding more and more until I truly became a zombie. I stopped driving when I recognized that I was weaving to stay on the road even though I had been assured that my meds were under the legal limit. Dr. Heather Jones, my new primary care physician, asked me if I would consider seeing another pain med specialist. At this point a new doctor implied hope. The downhill slide was frightening. She sent me to Dr. McAnally. Our first meeting was dramatic and a little scary. His first words, when he looked at my list of meds, were: “If you stay with me I will knock holes in your meds”. I was a little terrified. These meds were my life line. But Dr. McAnally knew better and he convinced me to try. I trusted him and it paid off. Within a week I was climbing out of the depths of despair and leaving behind a brain of mush. I felt alive with hopes of better days to come. Dr. McAnally was the first doctor to suggest to me that “less is more”. He explained how pain meds can cause pain. He eased me away from all of my prescriptions that were causing unwanted side effects. Now I have some discomfort, but am med free and enjoying life. At age 76 I can still ride a bike, a snowmachine, a four wheeler and play with our sons, grandkids, and granddogs. I’m fully functional in the home (bake bread once a week) and Don and I walk miles every week all year. We travel when we want to and life is good.
At this time I remember to thank God every day for the ability to enjoy our incredible Alaska experience with all its opportunity to enjoy the land and its people. With thanksgiving I also remember a most amazing doctor who truly gave life back to me through his belief that the human body is capable of helping itself if we give it a chance.
-Helen Hoover
Life is good.
My story is as much about my husband as myself. It is our story because Don was greatly affected by my disability that kept me reclusive and wrapped in ice for months at a time. It was Don who assumed the responsibility for finding the people and places that might relieve my misery. It began at the age of 61 with a sudden piercing pain that shot from the base of my skull up through my head with a force that I would not have thought possible. It came from a water skiing accident that severely damaged the occipital nerve which is a large nerve capable of horrendous, unmitigated pain. The first diagnosis was a muscle spasm that, I was told, would go away. It didn’t.
Over the years I tried chiropractic, hypnosis, acupuncture, traditional medicine, homeopathic medicine, nerve blocks and surgery. Still the trips to ER continued sometimes more than once a day. 9 surgeries and countless procedures later I was pain free for what turned out to be a temporary cure. Don and I resumed our practice of riding bicycle and we started tracking the miles. I was two rides away from 1,500 miles for the year when I started feeling the twinges in my neck that signaled the return of pain. There was no surgical fix this time. Pain meds were the only option. They became my lifeline.
Then we moved to Alaska. The meds continued by adding more and more until I truly became a zombie. I stopped driving when I recognized that I was weaving to stay on the road even though I had been assured that my meds were under the legal limit. Dr. Heather Jones, my new primary care physician, asked me if I would consider seeing another pain med specialist. At this point a new doctor implied hope. The downhill slide was frightening. She sent me to Dr. McAnally. Our first meeting was dramatic and a little scary. His first words, when he looked at my list of meds, were: “If you stay with me I will knock holes in your meds”. I was a little terrified. These meds were my life line. But Dr. McAnally knew better and he convinced me to try. I trusted him and it paid off. Within a week I was climbing out of the depths of despair and leaving behind a brain of mush. I felt alive with hopes of better days to come. Dr. McAnally was the first doctor to suggest to me that “less is more”. He explained how pain meds can cause pain. He eased me away from all of my prescriptions that were causing unwanted side effects. Now I have some discomfort, but am med free and enjoying life. At age 76 I can still ride a bike, a snowmachine, a four wheeler and play with our sons, grandkids, and granddogs. I’m fully functional in the home (bake bread once a week) and Don and I walk miles every week all year. We travel when we want to and life is good.
At this time I remember to thank God every day for the ability to enjoy our incredible Alaska experience with all its opportunity to enjoy the land and its people. With thanksgiving I also remember a most amazing doctor who truly gave life back to me through his belief that the human body is capable of helping itself if we give it a chance.
-Helen Hoover
Opposition means growth!
My spine surgeon first sent me to Northern Anesthesia & Pain Medicine for spinal injections in my lower back to diagnose and provide some pain relief for severe and worsening low back pain that had begun to erode my work productivity, overall functionality, and really my quality of life altogether. Dr. McAnally injected my facet joints in late 2016, and it provided significant relief of my pain until I could undergo the operation I needed. At the time ago, I didn’t know how important the relationship would become to me. Prior to the procedure and that operation, I had been treated at another clinic with narcotic medications, and when they stopped working, as they always do, they just kept prescribing more and more until I was on astronomical doses and yet still miserable. From my very first visit, the team at NAPM welcomed me in warmly and laid out for me comprehensive plan for weaning off of these dangerous and pointless drugs while also helping me set and achieve healthy lifestyle goals, especially pertaining to diet and exercise. I worked hard to overhaul my habits, and although it was ridiculously difficult to get off of the painkillers in the timeframe I committed myself to, I was determined to do so, and within 3 months I was free of them.
I wish I could say everything went perfectly fine from there, but it didn’t. I developed a severe infection after the operation that required an emergency reoperation. In addition to that I had to have a “PICC line” implanted into my arm for administration of IV antibiotics for several weeks to treat the infection. Then, partly because of the PICC line in my arm I developed a dangerous blood clot there and the whole thing had to be removed and a larger central line sewn into my chest for the antibiotics, and also blood thinners. Needless to say, I hadn’t counted on any of this and it set me back physically and psychologically in a big way. Through the course of that winter (2016) I became profoundly depressed as well as very unhealthy physically. The team at NAPM though were with me through it all, offering kind and compassionate medical care and friendship, counseling and most importantly prayer. They helped guide me to a place of hope when all I could perceive was despair. I don’t know what the remainder of my life will look like; I’m taking a little time off professionally to reevaluate my priorities and goals. I have been blessed with restoration of my health. Above all though, I am supremely grateful for my friends at NAPM who demonstrated to me time and time again that the love of God, shared through his people is the greatest healing power in this world.
-Dylan Shorter
Opposition means growth!
My spine surgeon first sent me to Northern Anesthesia & Pain Medicine for spinal injections in my lower back to diagnose and provide some pain relief for severe and worsening low back pain that had begun to erode my work productivity, overall functionality, and really my quality of life altogether. Dr. McAnally injected my facet joints in late 2016, and it provided significant relief of my pain until I could undergo the operation I needed. At the time ago, I didn’t know how important the relationship would become to me. Prior to the procedure and that operation, I had been treated at another clinic with narcotic medications, and when they stopped working, as they always do, they just kept prescribing more and more until I was on astronomical doses and yet still miserable. From my very first visit, the team at NAPM welcomed me in warmly and laid out for me comprehensive plan for weaning off of these dangerous and pointless drugs while also helping me set and achieve healthy lifestyle goals, especially pertaining to diet and exercise. I worked hard to overhaul my habits, and although it was ridiculously difficult to get off of the painkillers in the timeframe I committed myself to, I was determined to do so, and within 3 months I was free of them.
I wish I could say everything went perfectly fine from there, but it didn’t. I developed a severe infection after the operation that required an emergency reoperation. In addition to that I had to have a “PICC line” implanted into my arm for administration of IV antibiotics for several weeks to treat the infection. Then, partly because of the PICC line in my arm I developed a dangerous blood clot there and the whole thing had to be removed and a larger central line sewn into my chest for the antibiotics, and also blood thinners. Needless to say, I hadn’t counted on any of this and it set me back physically and psychologically in a big way. Through the course of that winter (2016) I became profoundly depressed as well as very unhealthy physically. The team at NAPM though were with me through it all, offering kind and compassionate medical care and friendship, counseling and most importantly prayer. They helped guide me to a place of hope when all I could perceive was despair. I don’t know what the remainder of my life will look like; I’m taking a little time off professionally to reevaluate my priorities and goals. I have been blessed with restoration of my health. Above all though, I am supremely grateful for my friends at NAPM who demonstrated to me time and time again that the love of God, shared through his people is the greatest healing power in this world.
-Dylan Shorter
From the ICU to the roof of the world.
I consider myself an active person who thrives on physical and mental challenges-both in my work life and play lives. Last year while getting ready to trek to Everest Base Camp, I fell running down Pike’s Peak. It was a freak accident that caused a very serious lung/chest injury along with a back injury. Obviously I couldn’t go to Everest but I was lucky to be alive. The months that followed were some of the most challenging ones I have ever experienced. The physical limitations, pain, loss of sleep, changes in daily activity patterns were demoralizing and depressing. Because of who I am, I didn’t want to treat my pain with medication. I challenged myself physically and was disappointed, frustrated when I wasn’t getting better as fast as I wanted to. I wanted ME back.
When I wanted to give in, I thought of those people I have met in life that don’t say NO to their physical limitations. Dr. McAnally gave me hope by teaching me about my back injury and the natural healing processes. Together we developed a treatment plan that focused on supporting my body’s natural healing processes. Once I took ownership of my recovery (instead of being a victim of my injury), I became very active in healing program. I read several books on back health including the Back Foundation, Move Your DNA, Alignment Matters (Katy Bowman). Daily movement, PT, massage, yoga, nutrition, spirituality and laughter were critical elements. I slowly felt better and this gave me confidence in myself again. I started doing the things I loved.
I am happy to say, that I got the ME back-probably a better one too! I will always have a little pain in my life. That’s OK because I use that pain to help modify my activity-not limit it. I keep those back books close by and do the exercises daily. I am happy to say, I made it to Everest one year after my injury! Breathtaking!!
Jane Noonan, MSN, ANP, NNP
Jane's Story
I consider myself an active person who thrives on physical and mental challenges-both in my work life and play lives. Last year while getting ready to trek to Everest Base Camp, I fell running down Pike’s Peak. It was a freak accident that caused a very serious lung/chest injury along with a back injury. Obviously I couldn’t go to Everest but I was lucky to be alive. The months that followed were some of the most challenging ones I have ever experienced. The physical limitations, pain, loss of sleep, changes in daily activity patterns were demoralizing and depressing. Because of who I am, I didn’t want to treat my pain with medication. I challenged myself physically and was disappointed, frustrated when I wasn’t getting better as fast as I wanted to. I wanted ME back.
When I wanted to give in, I thought of those people I have met in life that don’t say NO to their physical limitations. Dr. McAnally gave me hope by teaching me about my back injury and the natural healing processes. Together we developed a treatment plan that focused on supporting my body’s natural healing processes. Once I took ownership of my recovery (instead of being a victim of my injury), I became very active in healing program. I read several books on back health including the Back Foundation, Move Your DNA, Alignment Matters (Katy Bowman). Daily movement, PT, massage, yoga, nutrition, spirituality and laughter were critical elements. I slowly felt better and this gave me confidence in myself again. I started doing the things I loved.
I am happy to say, that I got the ME back-probably a better one too! I will always have a little pain in my life. That’s OK because I use that pain to help modify my activity-not limit it. I keep those back books close by and do the exercises daily. I am happy to say, I made it to Everest one year after my injury! Breathtaking!!
Jane Noonan, MSN, ANP, NNP