By Gail E. Steuart

My husband Barry and I moved to Silver City from Tucson about 5 years ago when I retired as executive secretary to the owner of O’Rielly Motor Company. I love Silver City and have not been back to Tucson since I moved here.

I recently found that I needed a total hip replacement. I am 81 years old and had only experienced minor surgeries before. I was strongly advised by a friend to see a doctor in Las Cruces who had done her hip replacement. She went to Mountain View Hospital for her surgery.

I had an experience in April of last year with the Mountain View Hospital when my husband was flown over in the helicopter and spent 8 days in the ICU. His treatment was successful; however, I was exhausted from traveling back and forth every day even though my daughter who was here to support me did the driving.

My primary care physician, Dr. Alphonse Aversa at Silver Health Care, referred me to Dr. Brian Robinson, M.D., who advised me to first do physical therapy to be sure I wanted to go ahead with surgery. I signed up for twelve powerful rehab sessions with Suzanne Graves, P.T., at Desert Springs Physical Therapy. After about 7 sessions I realized I needed to have surgery. I completed the rehab and I know that it greatly strengthened my body and prepared me for surgery.

While I was waiting for my surgery, I told a number of my friends that Dr. Robinson was to be my surgeon. I couldn’t even keep track of all the wonderful comments I received about him from people all around the area. How reassuring was that!

I attended a class to prepare me for surgery at Dr. Robinson’s office. I was highly impressed by the instructor Dave Carter, R. N. and by the material he presented. This class was extremely important in helping me understand and feel secure about the process. I did the exercises I was given twice a day for a month, and I felt my back and hips become stronger as the pain decreased.

I had the hip replacement on March 12 at the Gila Regional Medical Center. I was surprised and comforted that my husband and daughter were allowed to be with me during pre-op.

The care I received at the medical center was beyond my wildest dreams. The entire staff was friendly, conscientious, and highly skilled. Rosalinda Muniz, R. N. and Dave Carter, R. N. were my primary nurses, and I felt especially cared for and loved by them. I even ended up with a great roommate.

I returned home after three amazing days at the medical center. Barbara Hill, P.T., from Ambercare came to our house to get me started on rehab. After testing me thoroughly, she said that she was lucky to have one patient a year who was in such excellent health.

I am so very grateful to all the people involved in my healing, including my husband and daughter Sarah. To receive such excellent care in Silver City is truly an answer to my prayers.