4 Level ADR-16 Months-10km race

Well it has been 16 months since my 4 level ADR surgery and I couldn't be happier.

I have been given back the life I was told I would never have again and for that my family and I are eternally grateful for the help we received from everyone at the Pro Spine team.

Since my surgery I have been able to return to the physical activities that I used to always do in life. With lots of hard work I was able to run my first competitive race and completed a 10 km race 7 months after my surgery date. I am able to go inline skating and to load my son in the carrier backpack and spend hours hiking up mountains. This fall I am hoping to compete in another race but his time will be aiming for the goal distance of 20 kms! To be honest the best thing I am able to do now physically is picking up my kids without any pain, or pick up my wife for that matter.

Because of this surgery I was able to return to school to restart my paramedic training. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical at first but I managed to pass my EMR with 0 issues with my back. I was able to pass a paramedic physical with flying colours and I am now currently studying to complete the next level which is my primary care paramedic and I am now confident I will have no issues as long as I take the proper precautions and do things properly.

I never returned to my desk job as I had so many problems in the past that were related to that type of work. I currently work for a patient transfer company lifting/moving patients in the stretcher or stair chair all day long and driving for extended periods of time. My back does get a bit sore and tired after a long day at work but it's no different than anyone else I work with whom most have healthy backs.

I honestly cannot say enough good things about this surgery and everyone at Pro Spine. As nervous as we were traveling such a great distance for such a major surgery they made us feel right at home and followed through with exactly what they said they would do. I have told so many people about the great experience we had there. Being in the healthcare field I come across a wide variety of people with different issues and I feel very bad for some of the back surgery patients that had surgery done here in Canada with poor outcomes. I have been approached by many people in the hospital who have had failed back surgeries wanting to know more about what I had done and where to get more information about it as they are still suffering in pain. Every last one of them are amazed at how well I am and the field of work I can work in. Even some of my co-workers are surprised at what I can do!

If anyone is reading this and has any further questions about what my life was like prior to surgery, what others treatments I tried prior to or just about my current state I would be more than happy to answer them for you. I can be reached via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The only negative thing about having this surgery done is that I can no longer use the excuse of 'my back hurts' to get out of doing things I don't want to do.

Brandon Cleverley