Joyce’s Journey: Rediscovering Freedom from Chronic Back Pain
01.30.2025

"I never thought I’d feel this good. It’s like I’ve been given my life back." — Joyce

At Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine Associates (CNSA), we believe in the power of restoring lives. We proudly serve communities across the Carolinas, partnering with local hospitals to provide exceptional care so our patients can return to doing what they love.

For decades, Joyce lived with constant pain in her lower back—a companion she had grown accustomed to since childhood. But as the years passed, the ache grew more intense, making even the simplest activities a struggle. By the time she was 50, her pain had become unbearable. Joyce's dreams of traveling, gardening, and enjoying her retirement with her husband seemed out of reach. Every day felt like a challenge, and activities she once cherished—like cooking or joining water aerobics classes—had become distant memories.

After years of searching for answers, Joyce finally discovered the root of her pain: slipped discs at L4 and L5, pressing on her nerves like a kinked garden hose cutting off the flow. Doctors had suggested injections, but Joyce was reluctant, hoping for a solution without invasive treatments.

But when the pain grew unbearable, Joyce found herself turning to Dr. Joseph Cheatle, a neurosurgeon at CNSA, who immediately gave her a sense of hope. Dr. Cheatle’s explanation was clear and reassuring: Joyce had lumbar spondylolisthesis and lumbar stenosis. These conditions caused one of her vertebrae to slip out of place and narrow the space around her spinal cord. This, in turn, was pinching her nerves, leading to the chronic pain she had suffered for years.

The solution? A spinal fusion procedure. Dr. Cheatle carefully removed the damaged disc material and bone fragments crowding her nerves, then used screws and rods to stabilize her spine. Over time, bone grafts would help her vertebrae fuse naturally, providing the support Joyce needed.

While surgery can be daunting, Joyce trusted Dr. Cheatle and his team, knowing they had her best interests at heart. After the procedure, she felt an immediate difference—her strength and mobility gradually returned, and her pain, which had once seemed like a permanent part of her life, was gone.

"I’m back to gardening, traveling, and enjoying life with my husband," Joyce shares. "I never thought I’d feel this good."

Joyce’s newfound freedom also allowed her to build even stronger bonds with her 11 grandchildren. “The twins are our youngest,” Joyce says with a smile, “I’m so thankful I now have the health to build a relationship with them, just like I did with the others.” The little ones in some photos are one of the main reasons Joyce decided to pursue surgery. Her son and his wife adopted twin boys from Haiti when they were 3 years old (they are now 5). The twins had spent their early years in an orphanage, and Joyce was determined to be the best grandma she could be to them. “It’s been such a blessing,” she reflects. “I’ve been able to help them learn how to swing a bat, throw a frisbee, bake a cake… our house now has sounds of little boy giggles, balloons bouncing, and Hot Wheels racing!”

Her story is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to take control of your health. At CNSA, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, community-centered care. No matter the system we work with, we are always focused on one thing: helping our patients rediscover the joy of living.

If chronic back pain is holding you or a loved one back, we’re here to help. Take the first step today and experience the difference expert care can make!