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Finally Finding Pain Relief: Stacey’s Success Story

April 16, 2025 | Patient Success Stories
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By, Allison R. Weder

“I just couldn’t give up. That was not an option.” – Stacey, Grand Blanc, MI Patient

A three-year journey of navigating numerous surgeries and devastating pain is finally over for Stacey Darby. “It started out as a meniscus tear (repair), but that didn’t go right. So, a doctor went in and removed the stitches from that and cleaned out the scar tissue.” But Stacey was still in pain. Her doctor recommended a partial knee replacement, but that did not resolve her pain either. “I had the partial in for, I want to say maybe two months, three months, and then went to a full knee replacement.” Stacey, only in her forties and used to being active, reflects on how the pain took a toll. “I couldn’t work. I gained weight. I couldn’t, you know, I couldn’t move around. I didn’t lose my employment, but I lost my job within my company.”

Stacey was not improving after her total knee replacement. A second surgeon recommended revision knee replacement surgery, and Stacey agreed. Unfortunately, the pain persisted. Her surgeon said there was nothing else to do. But Stacey would not take chronic pain for the rest of her life as an answer. She found a third surgeon who did another revision surgery.

After Stacey’s second revision surgery, she started physical therapy right away. She chose Advanced Physical Therapy Center, part of the Phoenix Physical Therapy family, in Grand Blanc, Michigan. “(Advanced PT) had my history because I only go to one place for physical therapy and so they knew me. Everybody in there was cheering me on because they (could see) the depression I was in. It was heavy.”

The challenging work began after an evaluation appointment where a Physical Therapist talked with Stacey about her goals, and formed a unique, individualized therapy plan. During Stacey’s first therapy session, Donnell Cornelius, PTA, helped Stacey start her journey down the road to recovery. “There was a lot of strengthening and bending. I did bending leg slides and I had my knee over the side of the table and lifting. We used ice, and we did a lot of manual manipulation. Donnell did a lot of that. He is amazing. I’d always feel great after a therapy session.”

Stacey and Donnell Cornelius, PTA

Donnell was not only Stacey’s therapist, but he was also her cheerleader. “Oh man, he was always like, ‘You got this, Stacy.’ I went in there many days crying because I was upset or crying because I was in pain not wanting to come but I still went. And he told me, ‘You got this. Come on.’ And you know, he would cheer me on to reach my goals.” One of Stacey’s long-term goals was to ride a bicycle again. “I used to love riding my bike. I had a bike, and I got rid of it because I got tired of looking at it knowing I couldn’t ride it.” Riding a bike again and getting back to the job she loved were at the top of her list of things to accomplish. She was determined. “I said I just need to go ahead and just jump off the bridge. I can’t just stay here; I have to just do it. So, we did more intense things. (Donnell) started giving me different exercises to do. Then, Shelley, came over and she gave Donnell some other ideas.” Shelley Hanchett, PT, CHT worked with Stacey and Donnell to take her therapy sessions to the next level. Stacey recalls how difficult it was. “My last round of therapy was really intense. I knew it was hard, but I was like you gotta do this.”

The hard work paid off. “I am back to work. It was a little strange at first because my knee would swell up and cause me to limp and move a little slower. But after I was working continuously, moving constantly, it got better. Now, I walk at least three miles a night. I can do that with very little discomfort.” And Stacey is ready to crush her other goal. “This is going to be a fun summer for me. I really, really think that it is, because I’m getting a bike soon, and I’m gonna ride my bike!” Donnell knows she will succeed. “After multiple knee surgeries, her determination to get back to a life of normalcy didn’t wavier.  It was that resilience and her ability to follow our physical therapy treatments that allowed her to return back to a normal and more functional lifestyle.  It was such a joy to work with her.”

Stacey is grateful to everyone at Advanced PT now that she can live her life pain-free. “It was not only Donnell, but all the other therapists. And when I walked in, Wendy and the girls at the front desk, they were so sweet to me and helpful when I needed anything.” Wendy Amman is a Patient Care Coordinator for the Advanced PT-Grand Blanc team. PCC’s facilitate billing and insurance, and they help with scheduling and communication between physicians and patients. Stacey knew they were there to support her. “They were ready to work with you. Anytime I came in with a new prescription, they made a copy and put it in my file. They were so easy to work with if I called and said I was going to be five minutes late, they were understanding. I felt comfortable and trusted them.”

Stacey looks back on where she was three years ago. “I hated my life. I couldn’t take care of my family. It was just crushing because I was always an athletic person. My friend and I used to get off in the morning after working third shift and go to a park in the summertime and walk. I could no longer do that. I know I could do that now.” And Stacey is confident, the actions of her third surgeon and the physical therapy she received at Advanced PT-Grand Blanc helped her get to where she is today. “Just do it. Go to therapy. Stay consistent with it. Listen to your therapist. They know what they’re doing. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes what they do is very uncomfortable but go through it. You have to go through it.”

Stacey has this to say to Donnell and her therapy team at Advanced. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I couldn’t have done it without him. I just feel like I couldn’t have done it without any of them!”

The entire Phoenix Physical Therapy Team is committed to providing our patients with quality physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy in a safe and healthy clinic environment. We continue to follow the guidance provided by the CDC, WHO and public health officials to update you as new information becomes available. Let’s work together to keep each other safe and healthy.

The safety of our patients, communities and team members remains our top priority. We know you have a choice in your care providers and appreciate your commitment to Phoenix and our qualified clinicians.

Here are the actions we have taken to keep our patients, communities and team healthy & safe:

  • Flexible scheduling allows for social distancing
  • Regular cleaning and sanitation of all clinic surfaces
  • Facemasks must be worn by all Phoenix staff and are recommended for all patients
  • Screening questionnaire and temperature checks prior to entering clinics
  • 6 feet of social distancing throughout the clinics

Keeping Our Clinics Safe

Here are some tips on how we can keep each other safe:

  • Handwashing is your best self-defense against the spread of germs. When soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty, use at least a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Please stay home if you are not feeling well, especially if you have a fever, are coughing or sneezing, or are experiencing shortness of breath. If a patient shows up with symptoms, the clinic team will work with them to reschedule.
  • Be vigilant. If you have traveled to any of the countries where there are outbreaks of the virus, please follow guidance from the CDC website and our Travel Guidelines.

Here are actions we are taking to keep our clinics clean and safe:

  • Equipment will be wiped down after EVERY use with antibacterial wipes/sprays
  • All surfaces that patients or staff may touch including door handles, countertops, seating, pens at sign-in, bathroom and all other common areas will be disinfected regularly
  • Treatment tables will be 6 feet apart
  • Team members will wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, particularly after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing their nose, coughing or sneezin
  • Clinics will have hand sanitizer available at the front desk and in the treatment areas
  • Any Phoenix team members who are ill will be asked to stay home
  • We will maintain social distancing between patients in the clinic
  • Caregivers that are bringing a patient to the clinic should wait in their car or come back when the appointment has ended unless necessary (i.e. minor requiring a guardian or for assistance needs)
  • When possible, we will treat patients in private rooms to increase social distancing
  • Any patients that have underlying health issues (i.e. diabetes, respiratory problems, etc.) will be given the option to be seen during special clinic hours or can opt to be treated in a private room away from other clinicians and patients
  • All patients should be self-screening before entering the clinic. Our PCCs will perform a secondary screening during the check-in process and before patients enter the clinic including a screening questionnaire and temperature check.
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