Jacqueline Link
Restoring Quality of Daily Life After Sacroiliac Fusions
Chronic back pain can make even everyday activities feel overwhelming. For Jacqueline Link, living with degenerative disc disease meant struggling to sleep comfortably, enjoy time with friends, and participate in activities she loved.
After trying treatments including physical therapy, injections, and medication, Jacqueline reached a point where her pain was significantly affecting her quality of life. She knew it was time to explore another option.
“I wasn’t even able to golf, garden, sit at a show or play without considerable pain either in the moment or the following day,” explained Jacqueline. “It was frustrating because I wanted to stay active, but my pain was really dictating what I could and couldn’t do.”
Losing Sleep to Constant Pain
When the pain began affecting her ability to sleep comfortably through the night, Jacqueline found herself waking up frequently and struggling from lack of sleep the following day. The all-encompassing nature of the pain left Jacqueline no choice but to seek treatment.
“I wasn’t just dealing with pain anymore—the pain was affecting my quality of life,” recalled Jacqueline. “I knew I couldn’t continue living that way, so I decided it was time to explore what could be done.”
Choosing a Proven Care Partner
Because Jacqueline had previously received care at Rockford Spine Center, now OrthoIllinois Spine Center, she was already familiar with Dr. Michael Roh. That established relationship gave her confidence as she explored treatment options for her ongoing back pain.
“I trust [Dr. Roh] completely; he was very thorough, compassionate, and kind,” shared Jacqueline. “He took the time to explain my situation and helped me understand that this might be one of our only opportunities to address the problem. I never felt pressured. Instead, I felt like we were making the decision together. That gave me confidence to move forward.”
During her consultation, Jacqueline appreciated Dr. Roh’s thorough explanations and collaborative approach to care. She felt heard, understood her options, and had confidence in the plan they developed together.
“He asked for my opinion and wanted to understand what was important to me and my personal goals physically,” she elaborated. “I felt like he was working with me to develop a treatment plan rather than simply telling me what needed to be done. That meant a lot to me.”
The Journey Back to Comfort
After discussing her options with Dr. Roh, Jacqueline underwent bilateral sacroiliac joint fusion surgery. Her recovery went smoothly, and she soon experienced an improvement that made a lasting impression.
“One of the biggest moments for me was when I slept through an entire night without waking up,” Jacqueline noted. “When I woke up, I realized that I hadn’t even taken pain medication to sleep. That was a huge moment for me because I couldn’t remember when I slept all night without taking medication. I realized just how much things had changed at that moment.”
From surgery to recovery, Jacqueline felt well cared for and informed by her OrthoIllinois team. Regular communication played an important role in ensuring she felt supported. Jacqueline never felt like she was facing her back pain alone, she knew she had a team of experts in her corner and ready to help throughout the treatment process.
“My experience with Dr. Roh and the entire care team has been exceptional,” remarked Jacqueline. “Everyone has been very supportive, and I always felt like my questions were taken seriously. Their follow-up and follow-through were excellent. If I had a question or concern, they were there to help. That level of communication made me feel like I wasn’t going through this alone.”
Reclaiming the Joys of Life
Today, Jacqueline has returned to activities that were once difficult because of her back pain, including golfing, kayaking, and gardening. She has also rediscovered the comfort of everyday moments, like sitting through an entire play without pain.
“I recently went to a play and was able to sit through the entire thing without being in pain—which may sound like a small thing, but for me, it was huge,” she recalled. “Being able to sit without constantly thinking about pain has given me a lot of my life back.”
A return to activities she enjoys has brought back a renewed sense of self. Now enjoying golfing, kayaking, and gardening, she is back to doing the activities she loves with greater comfort.
To anyone experiencing similar pain, Jacqueline’s advice is to seek treatment. The beginning of relief and getting back to being you is just a visit away.
“If you’re living with pain that is affecting your quality of life, don’t assume you just have to live with it,” she assured. “I would absolutely recommend OrthoIllinois and Dr. Roh to anyone who is struggling with similar issues. My experience has been incredibly positive, and I honestly don’t know what I would have done without Dr. Roh’s help and support.”
