“My name is Mylene Amor Pañares Fulgencio and I am 38 years old and have been a public school teacher for 14 years teaching high school biology. In 2022, I was diagnosed with avascular necrosis but my pain began the previous year. It started as an inexplicable ache in my right leg.

As a teacher, my classes are on different floors, so I often had to travel up and down flights of stairs. I remember feeling embarrassed in front of my students because of the way I struggled to walk. I remember one of them saying, “Oh no, our teacher is limping!” That really hurt, because I used to be very athletic. I loved outdoor activities like mountaineering, river trekking, and I even fulfilled my childhood dream of climbing Mt. Matutum. I never thought I would develop a condition like this. When I first received my diagnosis, I couldn’t believe it. I cried right in front of my doctor.

As time passed, the pain and condition got worse, spreading to both legs. This January, it was confirmed that I was suffering from avascular necrosis and needed surgery as soon as possible. I wasn’t sure what I would do. In July, I saw on St. Elizabeth’s Facebook page that they were offering hip and knee replacement at no cost through coordination with Operation Walk Los Angeles. Without hesitation, I called the number and my prayers were answered, being chosen as one of the beneficiaries of this partnership.

My operation lasted two hours. When I woke up, I felt bandages on both hips. A physical therapist with OpWalk, Don Shimabukuro, approached me and said, ‘Let’s walk!’. I was shocked, I had just had surgery on both of my hips. To my surprise, I was able to walk, without pain. The next day, Don visited again and my surgeon Dr. Scott Ball checked in on me. I told them that I had no pain, so they discharged me.

At home, I started walking slowly, I could bend my knees. But the most remarkable moment of my recovery was when I accidentally forgot my cane and found that I could walk on my own!

I am deeply thankful and forever grateful to Operation Walk Los Angeles and St. Elizabeth Hospital. Soon I will be able to run because my dream came true. Thank you for helping me walk again.”

-Mylene

A Matter of Trust:
Dr. Mimi Cameron, Internal Medicine

I would like to share a story about a patient who really touched me during our mission to General Santos City. His name is Brendon Buenaflor, and he just happens to be not only a firefighter but also the arm wrestling champion of Mindanao as well. Brendon was shot eleven years ago by an AK rifle in his right knee. This injury led to having a rod, metal plate and pins implanted into his knee and femur. He suffers from severe arthritis in that knee and also in his left. He really wanted his right knee replaced, but our team didn’t have the proper equipment to remove the existing hardware, so we offered to replace his left knee instead.

Brendon drove two hours from his house to tell us in person he didn’t think a left knee replacement would improve his situation. I talked with him and then he talked with Dr. Aamer Malik. He went home to discuss his options with his children and then ultimately returned to have his left knee replaced.

It was heartwarming to see Brendon walk with less pain and with a big smile on his face. He said he was glad he had it done. Seeing someone like him get at least some better mobility returned makes these missions worth it for both the patients and ourselves. We’re privileged to be able to help someone regain their mobility.

A Look into Knee Replacement
Dr. Dang Khoa Vo

We are happy to share this look into knee replacement by orthopedic surgeon, Dang Khoa Vo MD. Thank you, Dr. Vo for taking time to share Mrs. Neri’s case and her outcome with us.

Mrs. Ninfa Congson Neri is a 65 y/o dentist who has suffered debilitating, left worse than right, knee pain for several years that has significantly reduced her quality of life as she can no longer walk long distances outside of the home without the use of a cane/walker. Even mere prolonged standing is now a challenge in her activities of daily living. She felt very fortunate to have been selected as a candidate for left total knee replacement on this Operation Walk mission to General Santos City, Philippines.

She underwent left total knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia without complications. Remarkably, despite being the last case of the day, when I saw her on postoperative rounds before leaving the hospital that evening, I was astonished that she sat up in bed with a beaming smile on her face. I understood the joy! With her husband and daughter at the bedside, she leaped from her hospital bed, stood and walked to me, without the use of any cane, walker or other gait aids, just to show me how much her knee pain has improved…or rather resolved. Of all the joint replacements I’ve done (albeit there have not been many in the grand scheme), I don’t remember a patient ever getting out of bed, walking unassisted and pain-free on the same day. What a mix of emotions that jolted me…I was briefly frozen in fear that she might fall and hurt herself, though elated to see such a dramatic and immediate impact that an operation can have on someone’s quality of life. The excitement from her family was palpable. Her only wish is for Operation Walk to return next year and be able to replace her right knee.

We are happy to share an update on our patient, Jeffrey Busog. We first introduced our readers to Jeffrey and his wife Merly in our April newsletter. Jeffrey suffered from pain in his hip most of his life due to osteoarthritis. At just 41, life looked bleak. It was difficult for Jeffrey to continue at this job installing security cameras and to support his family. Through his wife’s diligence, they contacted OpWalk last January, and team leader Lisa Fujimoto connected the family with Saint Elizabeth Hospital. During our mission there, Jeffrey successfully received a hip replacement and a second chance at life. His wife updated us last week on his progress.

Good morning,

I have continuously thanked the team of Operation Walk LA for all they have done for us. My husband’s surgery was performed by Dr. Nate Heckmann. He was truly the best. As of today, day 6 post-surgery, he has no swelling nor violet color around his incision. Jeffrey can walk without pain. He told me the only pain he experiences is when he’s lying down and getting out of bed.

This morning he tried walking without his crutch and walked successfully for around 35 seconds. He also began cooking again because that is one of his passions. Here at home, before his pain became too great, he was always the cook of the family. I reminded him if it hurt, he should stop but he finished cooking lunch for us and said he was okay. He’s gradually getting better and getting stronger.

He told me that up until now, he couldn’t believe he was actually operated on. He didn’t believe it would happen this year, in 2024. To the team and all of the donors, kindly tell them that we will always include them in our prayers. Thank you for bringing this miracle into our lives.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU.
Merly