In August, I was on holiday with my two young kids when, out of nowhere, my back gave out. One moment, I felt fine; the next, I was completely crippled, unable to get out of bed. I even fainted from the pain and hoped it would pass, but it only worsened. After two days, I called an ambulance and ended up in the hospital, where I was given injections, painkillers, and muscle relaxants. I thought they’d help, but they didn’t. My holiday pretty much ended, as I spent most of it confined to bed. Sixteen days later, I could barely leave the apartment, still suffering from crippling nerve pain and sleepless nights, relying on painkillers.

When I got home, I tried to return to work driving a school bus, but each day was a struggle. I’d get through the morning shift, go home to lie flat on the bed, then do it all over again in the afternoon. I kept thinking, When is this going to end? Weekends became days of complete rest. Eventually, my doctor arranged for an MRI, which revealed either an infection or severe inflammation in my spine, and I was told to go to the emergency room immediately. They explained I’d face a wait of 12 to 18 months for surgery—I couldn’t manage that long.

I remembered a friend who’d had a knee operation with Healthcare Abroad in 2022, so I reached out to Chris there. Within an hour of sending my MRI, he confirmed I needed spinal fusion surgery. With no private insurance and a long wait in Ireland, I decided to take the leap. I’d done some physio sessions, which helped a bit, but I knew it would only manage the pain, not cure it.

The surgery itself was intense, but when I woke up, I knew something had changed. For the first time in months, I didn’t feel the nerve pain. The surgical soreness was there, but it was a relief. Within days, I was out of bed and walking. Each day felt like real progress. I stayed in the hospital for a week to treat the infection, and I appreciated how attentive the staff were. The surgeon checked on me every day; I felt well cared for.

Now, I’m back home, walking without crutches and feeling stronger every day. I’m not 100% yet, but I’m on the right path and excited to rebuild my strength. The best part is knowing I’ll soon live pain-free. I can sleep on both sides instead of being stuck in one position. I’m 62 now, and while my hurling days might be over, I feel optimistic about truly living again.