Connect
JOHN: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?
@upstatephil: After decades of managing my back challenges via OTC (over-the-counter) pain meds, stretching, and just enduring, I reached the point where surgery was the next best option. I had heard many scary stories from back surgery patients and was highly interested in educating myself as to what to expect – especially during recovery. I have had medical connections to Mayo Clinic for well over 30 years, so my online searching naturally landed me on Mayo Clinic Connect!
JOHN: What motivates you to take part in the community?
@upstatephil: I am motivated to participate in Mayo Connect because, in many of the posts I read, I can see where sharing what I’ve learned might help someone struggling with many of the same unknowns I faced. In fact, I am actually busily documenting my learnings in a more formal way – learnings I hope to share more broadly with spinal patients.
JOHN: What about Mayo Clinic Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?
@upstatephil: Simple, I always get quick and useful responses to my queries. This makes me feel it’s a good use of my time to come to Mayo Connect with all manner of medical inquiries.
JOHN: What support groups do you participate in?
@upstatephil: Spine Health and Men’s Health support groups. No doubt my list will grow…
JOHN: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect.
@upstatephil: I was extremely fortunate to encounter Jennifer @jenniferhunter in Spine Health early on. I was struck by her well-reasoned answers to my questions as she combined her personal spinal surgery experience with amazing general medical knowledge. I felt I always gained a new perspective from Jennifer and, at the very least, I knew my concerns were being listened to.
JOHN: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect?
@upstatephil: The sheer breadth of medical issues where there’s a specific blog section. So many volunteer mentors and helpful members who feel something like how I do and just want to help others navigate the complexities and unknowns associated with chronic medical challenges.
JOHN: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life?
@upstatephil: No one thing…I’ve always “needed” lots of physical activity to stay in shape both physically and mentally. Also, I am especially energized when I learn new things which serves to connect me closely to Mayo Connect (pun intended). I’m long retired so the balance part is fluid and I’m fortunate to have the time to go in whatever direction I find intriguing at the time.
I stay very active with:
- Serve on public company board for 10+ years
- Serve on private company board for 19+ years
- Head our neighborhood Single Malt Whiskey club. We have 150+ members.
- Co-chair the annual employee holiday gift fund in our community
- Serve as auctioneer at an annual fundraiser
- Dote on our new granddaughter…!!!
JOHN: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity
@upstatephil: There’s no one favorite. I read voraciously and switch genres regularly between fiction and non-fiction (history and biography) plus I especially enjoy historical fiction. I love to golf, hike, and explore. Those activities have been “on hold” for the past year as I resolve my spine issues. Same with traveling. But I’m optimistic about re-engaging with my old favorite activities!
JOHN: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto or personal mantra?
@upstatephil: “to err is human” this means to me it’s perfectly fine to make mistakes and don’t be afraid to take a risk. Sort of along the lines of: “nothing ventured, nothing gained”.
JOHN: What do you love about where you live or vacation?
@upstatephil: We live and vacation surrounded by mountain terrain in both South Carolina and North Carolina. I can spend hours just staring at the horizon enjoying the inherent peacefulness of long views and mountain sounds. This environment is the opposite of city life.
Member Spotlights feature interviews with fellow Mayo Clinic Connect members. Learn more about members you’ve connected with and some you haven’t met yet. Nominate a member you think should share the spotlight.
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Hi, @upstatephil Yes, I'm in NW Indiana but grew up in Cleveland as a youngster.
Always a Buckeye,
Scott
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5 ReactionsGood evening @upstatephil So wonderful to welcome you. Without two spine surgeries, I would have missed a great part of my life....playing golf. The first one was a disaster. The second one was a laminectomy and was so successful, I was back on the golf course until my shoulder gave out. BTW....my surgeon was a golfer colleague and I think he knew just what to do. Welcome......I look forward to meeting you on the next Friday get-together.
Chris
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7 ReactionsHi Phil so nice to learn a bit more about you and I so enjoyed chatting with you in our break-out session last Friday. Looking forward to us working together as we help out others in the Men's Group and I personally learn a lot from others also.
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4 ReactionsThanks for sharing and adding some motivation to my morning read. It sounds like you were very busy before your granddaughter came along. I hope your back allows you to get back to your old normal soon, as those of us living with physical limitations love to see people overcome them! Some of your activities sound very fun, like your annual holiday gift chairing. One of our annual highlights is opening our annual holiday gift box from my old employer and seeing the wonderful company products they are sharing with us. It has me wondering if the employees you plan for receive your club’s best selections of Malt Whiskey?
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6 ReactionsGood morning. It has been warming to read so many thoughtful welcome notes from other mentors. I'm glad to be a part of the group.
I haven't played golf since Nov 2022. Seems impossible my hiatus has been that long. I will likely need to virtually re-learn the game which gives me the opportunity to root out all my nasty old swing habits!
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6 ReactionsIn Ohio I lived in Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and Cleveland. My dad grew up in Cleveland and lost of family still in the area.
Nice to meet you.
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4 ReactionsI am so glad to hear that you are doing well. My mother had back surgery when I was a teenager. Thankfully, a lot has changed since then. My mother was allergic to so many things that they removed her disintegrating discs and didn't replace it with anything. She wound up shrinking a few inches, but was finally out of constant pain.
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3 ReactionsMorning! We live in a lovely, remote mountain community that includes golf, a terrific wellness center, and a top-notch dining club. Our annual holiday gift fund is a way to share our residents' collective good fortune with the 100+ employees on staff. In 2023 we raised almost $67,000.
Haha. Single malt is an acquired taste for sure and even though I would LOVE to receive that sort of gift - cash is certainly the gift that everyone can use!
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7 ReactionsMorning. The surgeons used a 3D printer to make my new discs out of titanium and I actually "grew" slightly! Thanks for the welcome note...
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5 ReactionsHey Phil! @upstatephil
Glad to get to know you better. I have friends who have migrated to North Carolina and it sounds wonderful. A single malt scotch club just oozes sophistication compared to our local folks infatuation with moonshine and Cynthiana sweet wine, neither of which are palatable to me.
But hey…when in Rome.
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5 Reactions