7-31-00
This is the start of my story.
I had a quadruple heart by pass operation on December 9th, 1991, and was out of the hospital in four days, and started my recovery in rehabilitation. Soon after I started walking a little each day, and within a month was walking about a mile. I started lengthen my walks until I was walking 2 to 3 miles each morning.
This walking continued until about 1996 when I began to experience some pain in or about my left hip, with pain going down my left leg. My Doctor said it possibly came from my sciatic nerve and he thought I may be helped with some Epidermal Injections and some pain pills. The 1st of a series of 3 epidurals helped for about 2 months then the pain returned and was getting more severe. I was not getting better and spending a lot of time in bed .

In June of 1997, the pain was getting worse, and I was having a lot of trouble walking. My doctor, authorized a visit to Dr. Brennan (Orthopedic Surgeon). After a series of tests and x-ray’s it was determined that I should have an operation on my back to relieve the pain, diagnosis Lumber spinal stenosis and degenerative changes. The surgery was preformed on 7/21/97 consisting of L4 and L5 decompressive laminectomy with posterior spinal fusion L4 to the sacrum. After the operation I was able to walk pretty well for about 6 months but still I had a little discomfort and was sent to physical therapy for further rebuilding and strengthening

In February 1998, the pain was getting unbearable again in the back & leg. I had another visit to Dr. Brennan to tell him of my problem and another X-ray was taken. He said the operation was fine and did not have an answer for the pain. He suggested I see Dr. Abrams a Neuro Surgeon.

All this time I had been having a hard time getting around and taking pain pills did not help. This was in September, 1998. I again endured a whole new set of tests to see what could be done. After viewing the x-ray pictures, he suggested a 2nd operation with more extensive repair. Diagnosis Spinal stenosis. The surgery was preformed on 10/15/98 consisting of L2, L3 bilateral complete laminectomy and partial L1 inferior laminectomy.

After the operation and a week in rehabilitation, I was referred to a Physical Medicine physician Dr., Dr. Chawla, for pain management with medication and therapy.

I was not getting better in fact the physical therapy was making things much worse. After several more visits it was decided that the problem was Arachnoiditis. That is a inflammation of the covering of the nerves. There is nothing much to be done with this condition. Further epidurals were ordered but they did not help. It was then decided to try Caudal injections at the base of the spine; they only helped for a few days.

family custom was that the grandson came every year and we would have a vacation together. He is now 14 and could help push the wheel chair and we hoped to have one last fun vacation. I had heard from a couple at church, Leo and Mary Jo, the managers of the gift shop about a lovely shrine in southern Arizona. About two days prior to leaving I thought I could not endure the trip, I was having more pain and would indeed spoil every ones good time, but I said nothing. We arrived at Our Lady of the Sierras for the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and Rosary on the 25th on June ( the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ) .

After prayers I was asked if I wanted to be prayed over. I had experienced this several times over the past few years and by different priest’s and was delighted for the offer. While Pat and Mary were praying, I felt heat all over and then felt like I was floating. After that we had a nice visit and we were invited to Mary’s Knoll. The next morning I told my wife I wanted to go for a walk. She was skeptical, although she went with me down the hill where we were staying. It was only a short walk but I had no back or leg pain, only weak muscles that had not been used for 9 months.

I have not used the wheel chair since, I have been able to go shopping and to church. I can walk to the pulpit and read the 1st and 2nd reading with great joy and thanksgiving.

Arthur E. Travis
Glendale, Arizona 85302

1-28-04 [update]
Since this witnessing, we have moved to Sierra Vista, Arizona to give back to Our Lord for what he has done for my wife and myself. We now volunteer at OUR LADY OF THE SIERRAS FOUNDATION consisting of a small chapel, cross and statue of Our Blessed Mother up on the side of a mountain in Hereford, Arizona, 10 miles south of Sierra Vista.

I am now enjoying the quality of life that I have not previously had, for about 4 Years.

Arthur E. Travis
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635