In this episode of Get Back To It, Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Platoon Sergeant Jonathan Carter, whose spine condition began as mild shoulder blade discomfort during his early years of military service and gradually progressed into cervical degenerative disc disease with nerve involvement. What initially seemed like a posture related issue evolved over several years into radiating pain, hand clumsiness, and loss of function, symptoms that were easy to dismiss while meeting the physical and leadership demands of military life.

After extensive conservative treatment, a sudden worsening of symptoms led to advanced imaging and a definitive diagnosis. Jonathan ultimately underwent a two level cervical fusion to relieve nerve compression and stabilize his spine.

While surgery quickly resolved many of his neurological symptoms, recovery required patience, discipline, and a renewed focus on rebuilding strength and confidence in his body. Jonathan reflects on navigating injury while serving as a leader, the pressure to push through pain, and the importance of advocating for your health, even in high performance environments like the military.

Now returning to endurance training, competing in triathlons, and preparing for an ultra marathon, Jonathan’s story highlights that resilience is not just about pushing through, but recognizing when to act, trusting your care team, and rebuilding both physical and mental strength.

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In this episode of Get Back To It, Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Rich Rabin, a technology and product leader whose life was upended by severe nerve pain caused by an L5–S1 disc herniation. What began as manageable glute pain progressed into debilitating nerve symptoms that affected his sleep, mobility, and overall quality of life. After months of conservative treatments—including physical therapy and injections—Rich ultimately underwent a microdiscectomy to relieve nerve compression.

While surgery addressed the primary issue, recovery proved gradual and unpredictable. Rich shares candidly about the mental and emotional challenges of healing, the importance of self-advocacy, and learning that spine recovery is rarely linear.

Inspired by his own frustration tracking fluctuating symptoms, Rich created Recoverly, a free iPhone app designed to help patients log daily symptoms and identify trends—supporting clearer communication with healthcare providers.

Rich’s story is a powerful reminder that healing takes patience; progress isn’t always steady, and resilience can grow from even the most difficult setbacks.

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A Spine Surgeon’s Journey: Seeing the Operating Room From Both Sides

What happens when a spine surgeon becomes a patient?

In this powerful episode of Get Back To It, Dr. David Polly shares his deeply personal journey of moving from the surgeon’s chair to the patient’s bed. After years of treating complex spine conditions, Dr. Polly experienced firsthand what it’s like to navigate pain, uncertainty, and recovery from the other side of the operating room.

Through honest reflection, he explores how this experience reshaped his understanding of healing, empathy, and patient care—and how it continues to influence the way he practices medicine today. This conversation offers valuable insight for patients, caregivers, and medical professionals alike, reminding us that recovery is not just physical, but profoundly human.

🎧 Tune in for a story of resilience, perspective, and what it truly means to Get Back To It.

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Silver Alkhafaji’s journey through chronic back pain began when she was a teenager and intensified during her PhD studies at UCSF. Misdiagnoses, escalating symptoms, and delayed imaging prolonged her suffering until an MRI finally revealed L5–S1 spondylolisthesis caused by a bilateral pars defect. After conservative care failed, Silver underwent a spinal fusion with laminectomy in December 2023. Recovery was far from linear—marked by setbacks, medication trials, physical therapy challenges, and emotional hurdles—but through perseverance, self-advocacy, and creative expression, she reclaimed her life. Today, Silver embraces healing through writing, community, and continued strength-building. Her story exemplifies the power of persistence, proper diagnosis, and listening to one’s body.

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In this episode of the Get Back To It Podcast, we hear the inspiring journey of 14-year-old athlete Maeve Danaher from Chicago, Illinois. A dedicated competitive swimmer, Maeve’s life changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with double scoliosis — one curve measuring 70 degrees and another at 60. Facing a 10-hour spinal fusion surgery, Maeve’s determination and courage were tested in ways she never imagined.

Maeve opens up about the emotional toll of preparing for major surgery, the challenges of losing independence, and the long road to recovery marked by pain, patience, and perseverance. With the unwavering support of her parents, medical team, and friends, she learned to walk again just a day after surgery and gradually rebuilt her strength.

Cleared to return to competitive swimming less than a year later, Maeve’s story is one of resilience, positivity, and youthful optimism. Her journey reminds us that recovery is not only about physical healing, but also about mental strength and hope — showing that even after life-changing surgery, it’s possible to dive back in and keep swimming toward your dreams.

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In this episode of the Get Back To It Podcast, we hear the remarkable story of Dawn Lissy, a biomedical engineer in the spine industry who found herself on the other side of care as a patient. After decades of helping others through spinal implant design and testing, Dawn was faced with her own diagnosis of degenerative spine conditions. She shares her deeply personal journey of navigating pain, undergoing treatments like physical therapy, a discectomy, and injections, and making lifestyle changes to manage symptoms and restore quality of life. Dawn’s experience highlights the emotional and physical challenges of living with ongoing pain, the importance of perseverance, and the power of advocating for yourself on the road to recovery.

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Years of chronic pain led Daniel Ramia to multiple surgeries, countless therapies, and ultimately, a life-changing spinal reconstruction. Diagnosed with multilevel degenerative disc disease, Daniel endured five years of debilitating spasms and setbacks before finding the right team and the right solution. Now, he’s back to gardening, biking, and living fully again. His story shows that with perseverance and self-advocacy, hope is always possible.

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A simple fall revealed something life-threatening, a spinal tumor she didn’t even know she had. What followed was an 11.5-hour surgery, months of rehab, and a community that never left her side; she fought her way back to independence. Now walking, working, and full of gratitude, she calls herself “the luckiest woman on earth.” Hear how one unexpected fall transformed her life forever.

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