Unexpected Outcomes: A Journey of Love & Healing
Love at First Sight: Mike and JoAnn both knew in the first interaction they had in the Arizona hotel lobby they were destined to be married. Regardless of Mike living in rural Missouri and JoAnn being a single mom with 2 girls living in Phoenix, Arizona.
Growing up in rural Missouri, Mike Lorigan's playground as a kid consisted of open fields, with only gravel roads delineating boundaries between properties. It was a close-knit community where everyone knew each other.
Mike's favorite spot was at the top of the hay wagon. "The view just seemed better," said Mike. "Plus, if one loose bail started to go, I could save the entire wagon from the domino effect that one trip through a creek bed could bring down the whole load in a split second."
The only problem was that there was one way down to the ground. "I would jump off the top of the hay wagon" Mike admitted that he never considered an alternative route for years. It was only later that he realized the constant impact on his ankles and feet would inevitably lead to excruciating pain later in life.
"Everything in my life was like a TEN out of TEN!" Mike enthusiastically described his life. He found his wife in the most unexpected circumstances while traveling for a work conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Serving on the board of directors at MFA, he encountered a concierge at his hotel whose smile brightened up the entire lobby. "I felt an immediate spark and connection with this lady," Mike reminisced about their initial interaction.
True to his honest and straightforward nature, Mike walked down to the lobby, approached her and sat in front of her desk. That moment sparked a conversation that would eventually lead to their cherished "how I met my wife" story, which Mike and JoAnn, have been happily married for 19 years as of January, continue to share.
One thing JoAnn has discovered over the past 19 years of living with Mike in the rural northern Missouri community is that the Amish are excellent at baking, while Mike has proven to be as stubborn as the donkey in the pasture they encounter on their way to pick up their favorite baked goods!
Mike had been enduring ankle pain for years, which he described as a 9 out of 10 in terms of intensity. Since 2010, he had been a patient at the Columbia Orthopaedic Group in Columbia, MO. He had a scheduled appointment for his first ankle fusion on his right ankle, likely a result of the years of jumping off hay wagons. His surgery was scheduled with orthopeadic surgeon Dr. Paul Shurnas.
The memory of receiving a distinctive phone call remains vivid in Mike's mind. Standing in the kitchen of his farmhouse, he heard the shocking news, "Dr. Shurnas passed away unexpectedly in a car accident. " Dr. Brian Kleiber, a new foot and ankle surgeon who has been working alongside Dr. Shurnas at the Columbia Orthopaedic Group, would now take over Mike's surgical cases.
"Even though I was living 3 miles from the border of Iowa In Missouri I knew the reputation the Columbia Orthopedic Group in Columbia, MO had.'' It was without hesitation that Mike agreed to the surgery with Dr. Kleiber. "I remember first meeting Dr. Kleiber, he was easy going, yet confident," Mike describes his first interaction with Dr. Keliber over 13 years ago.
Despite regaining 100% mobility in his right ankle following the successful fusion performed by Dr. Kleiber over 13 years ago, Mike put off seeking treatment for his left ankle. "I was just being stubborn," he confessed. Working for MODot for most of his life, he had ample time for post-surgery recovery.
Moreover, he had the invaluable support of his wonderful caretaker, his wife JoAnn. However, Mike now admits, "It's a regret that I didn't do it sooner." What he failed to realize was that the longer he delayed, the more severe his arthritis would become. Eventually, his excruciating 9 out of 10 pain was attributed to bone-on-bone osteoarthritis.
With the severity of the arthritis, options for surgery were narrowing his surgical options. Dr. Kleiber suggested a total ankle replacement.
Mike was scheduled for surgery in The Surgical Center at COG in November of 2016.
"Recovery was much easier than I expected," Mike admitted. "In just 6 weeks I was walking around in a boot. It was winter so I would just put a plastic bag over my boot to keep it dry." Mike's strong work ethic kept him moving to return to work early while managing all aspects of the farm. As a farmer's work is never done!
"I would certainly recommend to my younger, less-stubborn self to seek treatment much earlier!" - Mike Lorigan
Mike and his wife JoAnn currently live in (town) approx. miles from Columbia MO. As they road trip 50 miles to Columbia, The Surgical Center at COG is always on the list of stops! When they see the ladies at the front desk, they ask to see Mary Kate and always mention, "it's her favorite patients" here to see her.
As long lost friends connected over a surgical procedure, it's not always how you meet people, but always putting the right people in your life at the right time.