Continuing our series on potential patients being screened for joint replacement surgery during our 2025 mission to Havana, Cuba. Frank was a prospective patient last year. Now eighteen years old, he has his whole life in front of him and is waiting for his second chance at a life free from pain and restriction. Thank you, Frank, for sharing your story.
“My name is Frank Antonio and growing up, my life was a normal life. I played, ran, jumped, all the normal things, until at age 12, when I was diagnosed with a disease called spondyloarthritis, which is a disease that affected my spine and joints. From one moment to the next, my joints would hurt. Practically all of them (elbows, knees, cervical, ankles, and especially hips) would cause me great pain. When I was younger, the disease was concentrated in the head of my right and left femur, causing pain in such a way that I had to be in a wheelchair.
Time passed and when God allowed it, I was able to start walking again. Unfortunately, without the head of my right femur, avascular necrosis invaded my right hip, causing great limitations. I can’t walk long distances, it causes contractions in my hip. I can’t bend down, sleep in certain positions, ride a motorcycle or even walk very well (I have a limp.) Because of all these things, my spine is bending, causing me even more pain and restriction.
Honestly, after surgery and recovery, I would like to be able to stand on my own two feet and, above all else, be able to preach the gospel of Christ. I want to bend and flex my leg again, begin university studies, and continue my life as God determines.
I just recently had my birthday in June and now I’m 18. I can’t wait for you all to return, have my surgery and to see what life has in store for me.”
-Frank Antonio Martinez Vargas