It’s no secret…women are different.
Throughout your journey as a woman, you have special health needs. Lakeland is committed to offering exemplary care in each stage of life. Whether you are preparing for a birth, managing menopause symptoms, or diagnosing any number of disorders we are ready for you.
As a wife, partner, daughter, friend, mother, you make decisions every day about the care and well-being of those around you. By choosing women’s health at Spectrum Health Lakeland, you can be confident that you’ve made the right decision for you, so you can be at your best—for yourself and those who depend on you.
It’s your journey. And we’ll be right beside you with the skills and expertise you need to ensure you get the most advanced and thorough care possible.
We help with a variety of services and can provide care for:
Breast Care
Cancer
Depression
Gynecology
Heart and vascular care
Incontinence, bladder, and pelvic health
Miscarriage support
Osteoporosis
Pregnancy care
Routine well-woman exams, PAP smear and cervical cancer screenings
Weight management
We all have a story to share.
We provide personalized health care to ensure you have the best possible experience while in our care. Each individual treatment and care plan at Lakeland is just as unique as your are. We are your partners in your health care journey.
Women throughout Southwest Michigan and beyond share their health care experiences at Spectrum Health Lakeland in the stories below.
Do you have a story to share? Click on the "What's Your Story" button and complete the form.
Nov 1, 2017 Reporting from Niles, MI
Standing Tall - Karen Benedix
https://www.spectrumhealthlakeland.org/medical-services/womens-health-services/Detail/standing-tall/?utm_source=Standing_Tall_&utm_medium=PatientStory_Landing&utm_campaign=InternalPages
Nov 1, 2017
Nov 1, 2017
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
For the last 30 years of her life, 68-year-old Karen Benedix couldn’t remember a time when her back didn’t hurt. However, in the last three years the pain had become increasingly worse. So much so, that she had trouble walking any distance and couldn
Standing Tall - Karen Benedix
SpectrumHealth Lakeland
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Standing Tall - Karen Benedix
Nov, 2017
Physicians: Rafeek Woods, MD; Sherrell O'Donnel, DO, FACOI; Kevin Drew, MD
For the last 30 years of her life, 68-year-old Karen Benedix couldn’t remember a time when her back didn’t hurt. However, in the last three years the pain had become increasingly worse. So much so, that she had trouble walking any distance and couldn't perform everyday chores around the house, such as laundry or dishes. An avid piano player since the 5th grade, she could also no longer sit at the bench and play for any length of time.
“I’ve had back problems my whole life,” said Karen. “I had surgery on two herniated discs in the 80s so when I was still experiencing pain I thought it was something I just had to live with. I never told a doctor because I didn’t think there was anything anyone could do to help.”
When the pain began to travel to Karen’s leg she decided it was time to voice her concerns to her primary care provider, Sherrell O’Donnell, DO, FACOI. Karen’s MRI results revealed that her spine was shaped like the letter C. She had been living with a severe case of scoliosis, or abnormal curvature of the spine, without even realizing it.
In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. In other cases, scoliosis may develop as a result of breakdown of the spinal discs, as seen with arthritis, osteoporosis, or as a hereditary condition that runs in families.
As a first step, Dr. O’Donnell referred her to pain specialist, Kevin Drew, MD. When the injections Dr. Drew provided didn’t touch the pain, he recommended she see a neurosurgeon. Karen sought the opinions of Rafeek Woods, MD, and another local neurosurgeon in South Bend who both recommended the same surgery.
“I loved Dr. Woods from the minute he walked in the room,” said Karen. “He was very personable and took the time to explain the procedure and showed us how the rods and screws would straighten my back. He kept telling me it was a big surgery, but I was ready – I didn’t want to spend another minute in pain.”
The surgical approach for treating scoliosis, which is new to southwest Michigan, would stabilize Karen’s spine and reduce or remove the pain by joining two or more vertebral bones to prevent movement – also known as spinal fusion. During the procedure, which involved two surgeries over the course of a week, Dr. Woods inserted bone grafts between Karen’s vertebrae to encourage new bone growth and fuse the spinal bones together.
Screws, rods, and connectors, were also implanted along the spine forming an "internal cast" to support the vertebrae and redirect stress during the healing and fusing process.
“The techniques we are using for spinal deformity [scoliosis] surgery are less invasive and allow for faster recovery,” said Dr. Woods. “Unlike traditional techniques which relied on removing parts of the bony spinal column to correct the deformity, in the majority of cases we are now able to restore normal anatomy by re-establishing normal disc spaces.”
Although it would take nine months for the bones to fully heal, since her surgery Karen no longer experiences back pain and has graduated to walking on her own without assistance.
“Before my surgery I was bent over and couldn’t stand up straight – that’s all gone now,” said Karen. “Three weeks after surgery and I’m able to play the piano again – when I started my recovery I couldn’t even shower on my own. The only thing I can’t do now is bend over to tie my shoes. I would highly recommend this procedure to anyone.”
Karen has also started physical therapy to help stretch and strengthen her back and leg muscles and maintain her overall physical conditioning.
“When I was discharged from the hospital Dr. Woods told me, ‘I’ve done my part, now you need to do yours,’” said Karen. “I keep that in mind while I’m doing physical therapy and it pushes me to do my best in order to heal correctly.”
Even though Karen can’t get back the 30 years she spent in pain, the Dowagiac resident said she is looking forward to the years ahead – pain free.
“Everyone needs to know what a great surgeon Dr. Woods is,” said Karen. “I’m so thankful this procedure is available in our area and that I was able to remain close to home.”