Dancing Queen: Donna's Story
Donna Anderson has many loves – her family, teaching, water aerobics, and dancing. Donna is passionate about performing in the Opera House Players Theatre in Elkader, Iowa. When she began experiencing sharp pain in her hips that made it difficult to sit, walk, and dance, she was determined to find a solution.
“It felt like a knife was going into my hip. I didn’t have the range of motion that I used to have and my quality of life was limited. I tried medications and cortisone shots and nothing seemed to work. I knew that it was more than arthritis.”
Over time, the pain was progressively getting worse and, after being referred by a family friend, Donna made an appointment to see Sue McMillan, Family Nurse Practitioner at the Crossing Rivers Health Clinic.
"They really treat the patient here"
“Sue is absolutely amazing! She and Shaina, her medical assistant, took such great care of me. I was able to get an appointment with Dr. Andrew Friessen, Orthopedic Surgeon at the Crossing Rivers Health Center for Specialty Care, the very next week.”
“From my very first visit, I just fell in love with everyone here. They are so compassionate and caring and they really treat the patient here. I just felt like they were treating me like a queen, it was just fabulous.”
Donna underwent hip replacement surgery for her left hip in September and her right hip in October of 2017.
"It's all about you"
“At Crossing Rivers Health, it’s all about you. It’s like being with family because they treat you like you’re the most important person in their life. They really care about the patients here. It was so relieving to experience that high level of care. Everyone here – the staff at the Clinic, the team in the Center for Specialty Care, the surgical unit, the inpatient care team, physical therapy and occupational therapy – they were all gentle and willing to do anything they could to make me comfortable.”
Donna has successfully completed rehab and is excited to get back to doing what she loves. “I can’t wait to dance and sing across the stage at the Elkader Opera House again. I am looking forward to that more than anything and I can thank Crossing Rivers Health for helping me get there.”
Through a donation to the Crossing Rivers Health Foundation, you can make a difference in the lives of friends, neighbors, and the ones you love.
