Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2019

After surviving a complicated cancer scare, local writer, Jeanna Hofmeister, shares her experience and gratitude for the care she received. By Jeanna Hofmeister The Best Caregivers REGION INTHE I never thought I’d die at 60, until the day came that I believed I might. After an unremarkable but painful bout of arthritis in my hip (thanks to one- too-many mountain bike crashes), I’d been rendered almost unable to walk, sleep or even hike down the trail behind my house. After an exam with my doctor, Rebecca Bertsch at Kootenai Clinic Internal Medicine, I got orders to lose 10 pounds and cut carbs for their inflammatory effect on arthritis. She also suggested I try physical therapy, a prerequisite for insurance to cover the cost of an MRI. My desire to get back on my feet and mountain bike made 45 minutes of exercise twice a day seem doable. I was referred to Jerry at Hayden Lake Physical Therapy. I zealously did every exercise prescribed for nine weeks, until one morning Jerry walked in and asked me how I was doing. I broke down