Mary Lou and Fred Offman of Portage, Pennsylvania, have been married for 56 years. The trajectory of their lives changed forever when they met each other. Their lives also changed when they met Joon Lee, MD. Dr. Lee helped them overcome debilitating conditions — three times.
“I’ve had a lot of experience with a lot of medical doctors, and Dr. Lee is number one in my book,” Mary Lou said. “He saved my life, giving me a new backbone and a life with my children and grandchildren.”
Mary Lou, age 74, is a cancer survivor. Fifteen years ago, while fighting kidney cancer, she had surgery to remove the kidney. When she later developed pain in her back and neck, she assumed the cause was simply “overdoing it” at work and at home. Based on a recommendation from a neighbor, Mary Lou went to see Dr. Lee. Before she and her husband had returned home from their visit, Dr. Lee called and explained that test results showed that the cancer had spread to her spine.
Dr. Lee moved quickly to schedule surgery to remove the cancer and the necessary vertebrae, then place screws to stabilize and support her spine. After recovery, Mary Lou was pain free — “There was nothing I couldn’t do,” she said.
Years later, husband Fred, now age 77, sat in his chair after church and suddenly had severe back pain that required disc surgery at UPMC Altoona. The surgery provided relief for a while, but then Fred experienced pain, numbness in his legs, and trouble walking. Dr. Lee was able to perform minimally invasive surgery to remove areas of osteoarthritis, and after two weeks, Fred was back to bowling, fishing, and golfing.
Technical surgical expertise is only one reason the Offmans are forever grateful to Dr. Lee. His kindness and support were instrumental in getting her and her family through scary and painful experiences.
“Dr. Lee is kind, soft-spoken, warm, and compassionate. He listens to every word you tell him. His smile is contagious, and he is humble despite his skills. When you go in to see him, it’s like you’re talking to one of your best friends you’ve had all your life,” Mary Lou says. “These procedures are complicated to understand. But he told us the pros and cons, the consequences, and he explained everything thoroughly that we could make our own decisions.”
More recently, Mary Lou fell down her basement steps. She sought out Dr. Lee again, who was able to treat her without surgery. After pain management and physical therapy, Mary Lou is once again back to cooking, baking, cleaning, participating in church activities, and spending time with her active family.
Dr. Lee is now director of the Orland Bethel Family Musculoskeletal Research Center, which aims to develop new ideas into treatment options for patients like the Offmans. Other grateful patients like you can help by telling your story and supporting orthopaedic research. This will show your appreciation for your care team and help future patients and families.
Supporting The Bethel Musculoskeletal Research Center
BMRC needs your help to continue to conduct research, advance musculoskeletal care, and train the next generation of musculoskeletal experts. To learn more about the center’s groundbreaking work, visit https://www.bethel.pitt.edu/support-us/ or contact:
Gary Dubin
Executive Director of Priority Programs and Initiatives University of Pittsburgh and UPMC
Forbes Tower, Suite 8084 3600
Forbes Ave. at Meyran Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-647-9113 (office)
dubing@upmc.edu