Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services | Gibson gets it! | Fall/Winter 2018

Gibson gets it! 11 CUBS FANS have endured their share of pain over the years at Wrigley Field, but Milford resident Dexter Cheever never expected he would end up having back surgery after a day at “The Friendly Confines” back in July 2017. What had once been a manageable flare-up of a moderate backache became unbearable leg pain after he lifted his restless toddler up in the bleachers. “It felt like my leg was going to blow up every day,” Cheever says. He knew that the pain was affecting his life when his three young boys started noticing that he didn’t play catch or swim with them anymore—so he took action. ‘Let’s get this fixed’ Friends recommended Doug Lanoue, MD, at the Onarga Clinic because of the doctor’s pain management methods. After conservative treatment, including non-narcotic medication, Dr. Lanoue ordered x-rays and immediately saw that Cheever needed specialized care. He referred the 33-year-old dad to Gibson Area Hospital Orthopaedics Spine Surgeon Jesse Butler, MD. Dr. Butler didn’t waste any time or words. “That’s bad. You’re young,” Dr. Butler told Cheever after an MRI. “You need to get it fixed.” Two weeks after those MRI results, Cheever was having surgery—a microdiscectomy—to ease the pain from a herniated disk that was compressing nerves in his back and causing the leg pain. Dr. Butler’s words were reassuring to Cheever, who appreciated his honest and down-to-earth nature: “It’s been a long time for you (dealing with pain). Let’s get this fixed.” Two months after surgery Cheever has completed physical therapy with Shane Stachura, DPT, at Gibson Health of Cissna Park—just a short drive from Milford, which was an added convenience for Cheever. He feels good and is recovering well. “My kids don’t ask why I don’t play with them now. I couldn’t lift my 2-year-old out of his crib, but I could do it today,” he says. “I knew I was in pain, but I didn’t know how much it affected me until I woke up from surgery, and the pain in my leg was almost immediately gone.” “Gibson Area Hospital has a small- town appeal but is very professional, clean and friendly. I was in on time, if not early, for every appointment—even surgery.” —Dexter Cheever, Technology Coach at Milford Area Public Schools Striking out pain A Milford dad got the surgery and physical therapy he needed to play again If you're experiencing back pain, it's time you get it fixed. Schedule an appointment to see Dr. Butler in Gibson City or Mahomet: 217-784-4340.