For nearly a year, Cori LaLande’s sciatica pain rode shotgun. As she and her husband traveled the country in their RV, the pain followed her from one destination to the next, taking a physical and emotional toll that made it difficult to enjoy the lifestyle she loved.
Along the way, she searched hard for answers. Cori saw specialists, committed to physical therapy, adjusted her lifestyle, and underwent injections. She did everything right, but relief never came.
When the couple returned to the Aitkin area for the summer, Cori knew Riverwood was her next stop. The exceptional care she had received during emergency surgery years earlier gave her faith that she was in good hands.
Riverwood’s Interventional Spine team took the time to listen to her story, understand what she had already been through, and carefully explained her options. Together, they explored non-surgical treatments, but it soon became clear that surgery with Dr. Stokman was the best path forward.
Cori says her trust in Riverwood was earned through the compassion and expertise of her care team. From staff who greeted her by name to team members who took the time to answer questions and explain each step, she always felt comfortable and informed.
One moment still stands out. During an injection procedure, a nurse reached over and held Cori’s hand. It was a simple gesture, but one that meant more than words could express.
“Every person I met along the way felt like a friend,” she said. “They really took good care of me.”
Today, Cori is pain-free. Her surgery was a success, her recovery has gone smoothly, and she’s looking forward to getting back on the road with her husband, visiting family and making memories without pain getting in the way.