Standing Straight for the First Time in Decades

Finally, Woodson met Bassel Diebo, MD, a spine surgeon, and Alan Daniels, MD, chief of spine for the Lifespan Orthopedics Institute at Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital. They told her they could help—through an experimental surgery.

“I had confidence from the minute I met them,” she recalls. “If anyone can do it, they can.”

But first, Woodson had to make some lifestyle changes. She had to quit smoking, lose weight, and follow a healthy diet. And while she says it was tough to give up candy, she did all three. At The Miriam Hospital, Dr. Daniels performed a back surgery and two hip replacements on Woosdon. After 20 days in the hospital, she was transferred to Vanderbilt Rehabilitation Center at Newport Hospital

Eloise Woodson was bent out of shape—literally. Years of spinal issues had progressed until she was bent over to her side for 15 years. She could only sleep in a fetal position and couldn’t stand without assistance. She couldn’t sit up straight at a table. At meals, she had to rest her head on the table, practically in her food.

“I basically wasn’t able to do anything without falling,” Woodson says. “There wasn't much I could do.” Her son finally pushed her to seek out answers.

Woodson had multiple MRIs, but no one could diagnose the issue. Recommended exercises didn’t help. “I didn’t think anyone could help,” she says.

There, she worked on walking again—this time, while standing up straight for the first time in 15 years. “They are getting me out of bed and exercising,” she said. “It's a lot of work. I'm not finished yet.”

Although she’s still recovering, Woodson is already looking to the future. “I'm going to be able to do a lot of things I couldn't do before, like walking around the grocery store,” she says. “A whole lot of things I can do myself.”

Despite the aches and pains, Woodson says it was worth it. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” she says to Dr. Daniels and Dr. Diebo. “It’s changed my life.”

“I feel like a new person,” she adds. “I feel beautiful.”