I first met Dr. Carlos Bagley at Duke University Hospital when I was sent there by my primary care physician, Dr. Neil C. Bender of E.C.I.M., here in Pollocksville, North Carolina.

For several years I had been having lower back pain plus increasing leg problems -- burning, pain, and numbness. Treatments had included orthopaedic interventions, epidurals, chiropractics, and acupuncture. None was long lasting.

Finally, a neurologist in Greenville (after many x-rays and MRIs) said I needed surgery for stenosis.

When Dr. Bagley examined me (more x-rays, etc.) he said I not only had spinal stenosis in my lumbar region, but also rapidly developing scoliosis (new to me!). He recommended that I have surgery for both problems at the same time. I was ready!

And so the surgery was done at Duke University Hospital in Durham, where I received most excellent care. After a couple of days (with a morphine pump clutched in my hand) I was getting up to use the bathroom and also walking in the hall with the help of nurses and a walker.

In seven days I went home. During that hospital time I received the best care imaginable. Warm, caring, and attentive nurses -- I can highly recommend them all.

Dr. Bagley was also very attentive, and here is an especially good thing -- my daughter would e-mail him with her and my questions and back would come an answer within a few minutes. What a real blessing that was!

All of this was in 2008 when I was only 85 years old. I am now 87 (nearly 88) and am continuing to do well. My follow-up visits have been at Duke Neurosurgery in Raleigh. This is much more convenient for me and the personnel is just as nice as those in Durham.

As for Dr. Bagley, I have recommended him to several friends and they feel as I do. He is a fine physician/surgeon who is also warm and caring, with a great sense of humor. As one friend said, “I just love that man! I’d marry him tomorrow if we both weren’t already married!”

A bit more information: I am now a widow and live alone. I go up and down the stairs regularly, drive my car to wherever I choose, do my own grocery shopping, and use a cane only when I must walk a bit of a distance or must stand a while. I never need it in the house anymore. I do not hurt in my back unless I overdo it and my legs never hurt at all.

I went on one cruise last year, have been on two this year (Canada and Italy) and am planning on two more next year (Tahiti and Alaska). I am not stopping for painful legs anymore!

Sincerely,

(Penelope) Penny Bender