"Meeting Dr. Vining Changed My Life" — Edwin Gillen's Story

Some people come into our lives for a season. Others are there for a lifetime and still others appear briefly to teach us a lesson. Edwin Gillen found in Wake Orthopaedic surgeon Neil Vining, MD, MBA, a capable doctor, a forthright friend and a guide to a better life.

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Finding the Cause of Knee Pain

In mid-July 2023, Edwin began to experience stabbing, unremitting pain in his knee.

"When I slept at night, I couldn't even cover my leg with a sheet. The pain was so bad."

Edwin visited a medical facility in Durham, NC, where he was told his knee had a bit of swelling and that with a couple of days of rest, he should be fine. Edwin took two days off work, but the pain did not subside — it grew worse. He went back and paid out-of-pocket for diagnostic X-ray testing since he didn't have insurance. Still, his providers could not see anything especially alarming in his X-rays. 

Meeting a No-Nonsense Doctor Who Really Cared

By mid-November, Edwin could no longer walk. Since he had secured health insurance, he scheduled an appointment with Dr. Vining at Wake Orthopaedics - North Raleigh.

Dr. Vining ordered a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. When the results came back, Dr. Vining diagnosed Edwin with severe avascular necrosis of the knee.

"At my appointment, he told me, 'I've got good news and bad news for you. The good news is that you were right. There is a lot of damage to your knee. The bad news is that you are right. There is a lot of damage to your knee.'"

Dr. Vining explained to Edwin that he would need surgery, but before they could proceed, Edwin would need to quit smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. Excessive drinking and smoking are lifestyle risk factors for developing avascular necrosis. 

"Since I was 45 years old at the time and a heavy smoker and drinker, he wanted to make sure my body could handle an invasive surgery." 

Meeting Jessica Revels of Quit with WakeMed

Dr. Vining referred Edwin to Quit With WakeMed, a highly lauded tobacco cessation program, where he was treated by Jessica Revels, FNP.

Edwin glows, "That lady is so awesome. Besides our scheduled appointments, she would also conduct follow-up calls to check on me, ask about my grandkids, my health and my life. She immersed herself into my situation and explained the prescribed medication, providing me clear education in a professional and caring manner."

Revels prescribed medication, which worked on Edwin's blocked the reward of smoking and reduced his cravings and urges. She also talked with him about his habit and his reasons for needing to quit.

"I was on the medication for about a month and a half, and I got down to about one cigarette a day. Then I had a death in the family and had to leave the state without having a chance to refill my prescription, so I slipped up — as smoking was my crutch in life, but Jessica Revels didn't make me feel badly about it. She got me back on track."

Revels explains, "It is important to realize that tobacco dependence can be a chronic relapsing condition. It requires ongoing behavioral changes to kick the habit for good. We are here for anyone who is ready to start their journey to becoming smoke free but also when they have gotten derailed along the way." 

Undergoing an Intense Surgery

In January, the nurse navigator contacted Edwin with great news. Instead of his original surgery date in April, he would be scheduled sooner. On February 15, 2024, after a couple of months of being unable to work, Edwin had his core decompression surgery with Dr. Vining. It was about 7.5 hours long and took place at WakeMed North Hospital. 

"I went in at 9:00 in the morning, and he finished around 4:30 in the evening. It took longer than anticipated because when cutting into the bone, it was like a rotten piece of wood falling apart. He and the surgical team had to put bigger wedges in my knee, give me a new meniscus and reattach muscles."

Despite obstacles, Edwin's surgery was successful, and he was sent to recovery where the nursing team took excellent care of him. 

"The ladies who took care of me were the bomb. One, in particular, put me at ease because she told me that when I woke up, she'd be back to check on me, and she was. After surgery, my sister was sitting with me, but I couldn't recognize her. That nurse, though, when she peaked in, I knew exactly who she was. She talked to me for 30 to 40 minutes, ensuring everything was fine."

Enjoying Life Again

Edwin was discharged home on February 16 with supports in place for a successful transition back to full mobility. 

"I was a little skittish at first, but I now recommend WakeMed to everybody."

Today, Edwin feels great and has returned to the activities he loves. He's back at work as a construction project manager, where he leads four teams. He is also enjoying time with his two young grandchildren. 

"I can play basketball again. I can do a marathon again. I can run around with my 22-month-old and three-year-old grandkids. They are my life, and I walk with them every day for a mile to a mile-and-a-half, while they ride their tricycles. 

Edwin has also faced his challenges — particularly a 38-year smoking habit — head on, cutting down significantly on alcohol and tobacco products.

Remembering a Surgeon Who Cared

"I want to thank Dr. Vining for taking the time to figure out what was wrong with me. He cared about me. He was informative. He was real with me and knew how to handle me. He put his foot down and addressed my habits head on, so I could get my life back. As a man's man, I liked his direct manner. He's one good doctor, and I'd swear by him any day of the week." 

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About Wake Orthopaedics

For 20 years, Wake Orthopaedics has been serving the Triangle community with comprehensive orthopaedic care to help their patients regain their mobility and restore their quality of life. With specialties and expertise in conditions of the bones, muscles and joints, our team of board-certified and fellowship-trained specialists utilize progressive treatments and state-of-the-art technology to care for everything from hip fractures to ACL injuries to arthritis. In addition to traditional orthopaedic services, Wake Orthopaedics provides trauma services, rehabilitation services and care for pediatric injuries. Wake Orthopaedics is a WakeMed Physician Practice.

 

About Quit With WakeMed – Tobacco Cessation Program

Quit with WakeMed