I am fortunate to have my dream job as Assistant Director of Raptor Training and Education at the Southeastern Raptor Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University.
I spend my days working with Auburn University's eagles and oversee the iconic eagle flight before Auburn Tiger home football games. This has been a dream job for me ever since I was a freshman at Auburn volunteering. Graduating with my bachelor's degree in zoology and getting to live my dream at my alma mater is such as cool experience!
For than a decade, I had been visiting a local chiropractor trying to figure out where my back pain was coming from. I would go monthly in an attempt to continually alleviate my pain. Unfortunately, I began to experience more chronic, intense pain in late 2020 and knew it was time for me to do something.
I visited Andrews Sports Medicine for the first time in late 2020 seeking answers. By then, I knew I needed to step it up a level to relieve my chronic back pain.
I had seen other doctors when I came to Andrews for the first time. I had tried physical therapy, pain blockers, and just about everything else. During my first office visit with Dr. Andrew Cordover he diagnosed me with a collapsed degenerative disc.
My entire experience, from my initial office visit, surgery and post-op appointments was first class. I never felt like I was pressured to have surgery. I knew I needed surgery after Dr. Cordover vividly explained my situation and treatment options during my initial visit.
Since I am young, the degenerative disc would not have healed well if I didn't go through with surgery. The pre-op went well and I was released from surgery after 2 nights in Ascension St. Vincent's Birmingham.
I had the surgery in December of 2021, and it was a game-changing surgery for me. Prior to my surgery, I could only hold the eagles for about 10 minutes without experiencing pain. I have now fully gained my strength back and I have returned to doing what I love pain free.
The healing and recovery process was great. It was what I expected it to be and I didn't run into any road blocks during my recovery journey. I did have some pain up until about 3 weeks after my surgery, but that is pretty normal.
I was referred to Andrews Sports Medicine by another doctor and I am so glad I took her advice to come to Birmingham. I definitely recommend Andrews Sports Medicine to anyone suffering in pain. Overall, my entire experience with Dr. Cordover and his team was first class and I am so thankful I am able to fully enjoy my life again!
CLICK HERE to learn more about Andrew's career at the Southeastern Raptor Center.
