Posted by: thepinetree on 12/20/2013 12:48 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 12/20/2013 12:56 AM
Expires: 01/01/2018 12:00 AM
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Community Rallies For Joint Replacement Patient
Sonora, CA...Michael Freitas, a long-time resident and local business owner in Valley Springs, is receiving a special gift this Christmas. Freitas, who is only in his early 50s, suffers from arthritis so severe in both hips he walks with two canes and has difficulty just sitting in a chair because of severe restrictions in flexibility. In order to regain his mobility and flexibility, Freitas needs both hips replaced. But as a small business owner, he does not have health insurance to pay for the surgery and rehabilitation....
Paul Goldberg (husband of Stephanie Hull-Goldberg), Marie Freitas (wife of Michael Freitas), Michael Freitas (patient), Dr. Airell Nygaard (orthopedic surgeon), Tina Hunter (representative from DePuy, which supplied the hip prostheses)
“We hadn’t seen Mike in a few months and when we saw him he could hardly walk up to the house,” recalls Stephanie Hull-Goldberg, a family friend. “We knew we had to do something.” Hull-Goldberg, who owns An Affair to Remember, a local events and catering business, decided to organize a fundraiser for Freitas. Over 300 people attended the fundraiser which included a silent auction and golf putting and chipping contest. Together they raised over $15,000.
“Mike is one of the kindest and most giving people,” explains Hull-Goldberg. “He is someone who will give back to the community once he is better.”
Even with his painful hips, Freitas still goes to work every day at the cast iron foundry his family has run for four generations. He took over the business in 1987 when his father required hip replacement surgery. Freitas looks forward to getting back to working and running the business with his new hips.
Freitas had his surgery Monday, December 16. His orthopedic surgeon, Airell Nygaard, MD, explains that most patients have one joint replaced at a time to allow for better recovery and ability to participate in physical therapy. “However, because of his severe restrictions in flexibility and mobility, Michael is having both hips done at the same time which allows us to get him up and moving right away,” says Dr. Nygaard. Freitas was able to stand and walk the day after surgery.
Freitas had his procedure at Sonora Regional Medical Center’s Center for Joint Replacement. To help ensure Freitas receives the medical care he needs, the Medical Center, Dr. Nygaard and the medical device company are all offering their services at a substantially reduced cost. “I was a little nervous about having surgery but everyone has been so nice,” says Freitas. “I would like to give a big thanks to everyone involved.”
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