Rodney Harraway

I don't actually know where to begin, I will start with two years of progressive pain down my back and my leg. I visited every spine doctor in Pennsylvania. With each visit the more outrageous the diagnosis was.

In Northeastern Pennsylvania I was sent home with a Xerox copy of exercises I need to do. I continued to walk and jog with more and more discomfort. By now I'm unable to walk 500 feet I found myself riding around stores in those handicap electric carts.

Finally, I was referred to a local facility down in Philadelphia. After four trips down to Philly and more MRIs and x-rays I was told by a senior surgeon that he no longer performs surgeries. Once again, I walked away feeling defeated. At this point it's been two years of constant sciatica pain running down my leg with no relief in sight. I had gained over thirty to forty pounds by now due to me being inactive.

In 2023 while at a funeral I ran into an old friend from my neighborhood, and he asked me what was wrong. I told him about my constant pain, and he said to me with a huge smile, your help has arrived. He began to tell me about his journey with back pain and how he had lumbar fusion surgery, which saved his life. He immediately showed me his progress photos and the name of the physician and hospital. I was very familiar with HSS considering my sister worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering across the street. I went home and began to research the surgeons there and I came across Dr. Gbolabo Sokunbi.

Just like you reading this review I began to read all the reviews and I knew I was in the right place. I made an appointment to meet with him and I remember his first words to me after reviewing my MRI. He said, "Your back is jacked up." My head sunk in my chest, and I felt defeat drape all over me. But he said, "I can fix you if you let me." And just like that the process started. We agreed to perform the surgery on September 11, 2023. And long story short after five hours of surgery I woke up pain-free. And in just three months after my posterior lumbar interbody fusion with hardware, I was able to go on my first ten-day cruise with my wife in November just three months after surgery.

Being a ex-athlete I believe helped me with my healing. Today (1/3/2024) I'm back at the gym walking and I will begin to lift weights again. I'm back at work - my life is joyful again. I danced with my granddaughter at her sweet sixteen all because of Dr. Sokunbi. Five stars to him and his staff.