Tony Nussbaum is a 24-karat-gem.
Hard-working, genuine, kind, and humble to a fault. A (retired) Chief Master Sergeant, Nussbaum gave 26 years to his country and the United States Air Force.
Thank him for his service and there is a return “your welcome,’’ but an immediate thank you for a group that – in Nussbaum’s words – “put me back together and gave me my life back.’’
“I am blessed to have a great family, but Rock Valley Physical Therapy is another place where I am treated like a member of the family,’’ Nussbaum said of the therapists and staff at Rock Valley’s Polk City, Iowa, clinic.
“Jane (Jackson/Front Office), Seth (Bonifas, PT, DPT) (Clinic manager now at Grimes, IA clinic) , Logan (Albaugh, PT, DPT, OCS, CEAS, Clinic Manager), and Stephanie (Kelsick, PT, OCS, CSCS, Regional Manager), have all treated me like family, because the clinic as a whole is a family. They do it with every patient, but it has been lifesaving for me. There is still work to do, but things are so much better. I have my life back.’’
Nussbaum’s five-surgery medical odyssey – the one that led him to Rock Valley Physical Therapy – is topsy-turvy at best.
With a military background, Nussbaum has always been active. Things were no different in retirement. He loves to play golf, is a kayaker, enjoys biking, hunting, traveling and whatever “The Boss,’’ (his longtime partner, Amy) has on that day’s docket.
In the not-too-distant past, Nussbaum underwent knee replacement surgery. It was there that things began to go sideways for the 57-year-old father and doting grandfather.
After his first surgery, a scope of the knee followed to “clean things out’’ and remove scar tissue.
“It was a Monday, and I saw a suture open,’’ Nussbaum said. “There was some redness – not a lot – but still some redness. I called but never got a call back from the doctor, and by that Saturday, I was physically ill. And my knee had blown up from an infection.’’
Infections, knees being drained, his knee replacement being taken out and put back in with the same parts, additional surgeries, more infection-related illness, loss time away from his job (Danfoss Power Solutions, Ames, Iowa) and a stoppage of all enjoyable activities with family, followed.
Most of life’s positives – outside of family – had ceased. Nussbaum was in a battle for his health and well-being.
“First, I have a family that has been there for me,’’ Nussbaum said. “And I must tell the world I work for an amazing company – Danfoss Power Solutions – that has stood by me and my family from the first day. It did not have to be that way. When all this knee stuff got in the way of doing what I needed to do workwise, they never turned their backs. But it’s been a struggle.’’
After a final surgery to correct all that had gone wrong, Nussbaum – who had worked with Rock Valley after his first surgery – could finally get back to getting better. And he has done so under the watchful eyes of his Rock Valley-Polk City family, who have done magnificent work bettering Nussbaum’s life both physically and mentally.
“We have done a lot of range of motion work consisting of joint mobilization, prolonged stretching, and exercise to establish gains,’’ Bonifas said of the work he and Nussbaum have put in to get better. “Since Tony has spent time in the Air Force, we have worked with Veteran’s Affairs to get him his “chair” which assists with prolonged range of motion activities. We have spent a lot of time, most notably in this recent case, using Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (therapy that uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles and nerves, causing muscle contraction) to regain quad activation for his strength and function. Outside of that, it has been standard physical therapy between Logan (Albaugh) and I to get him back on track.’’
Nussbaum, who harbors an amazing sense of humor, was straight-the-the point in his heartfelt assessment of the Rock Valley staff.
“Seth has been amazing for much of my rehabilitation, but Logan has also been vital, and Stephanie has stood by them and me,’’ Nussbaum said. “And Jane at the front desk, she is amazing. Seth is so thorough and has a great grasp of where I have been and where I need to go. We are getting there. I also know he and Logan discussed my situation and how to make things better for me. The plan that was put in place for me to reach my goals was amazing.’’
By progress alone, Nussbaum is heading for the home stretch in his run to get his life back.
“Tony is finally turning the corner and getting better,’’ Bonifas said. “His knee is loosening up and has shown no signs of the infection that has limited him in the past. His range of motion is better now that it has ever been since I’ve known him, and we are gradually working him back to his goals.’’
Having a patient that is also motivated and dedicated to getting better, reaching his or her health goals, is vital to a successful outcome.
Nussbaum, Bonifas says, checks all those boxes.
“Tony is the best kind of patient, one that works hard and genuinely wants to get better,’’ Bonifas said. “All of the staff at Polk City love to work with him. Despite the tough road that his rehab has presented, he has maintained a lighthearted and positive approach to rehab, even through days that everybody knew were not fun for him. I wish everybody had the enthusiasm and attitude to rehab that Tony has.’’
Doctors have told Nussbaum he could be 90 percent in nine months and back doing all the things he loves to do – with no issues – in 24 months.
“I like those odds,’’ Nussbaum said. “I also like the fact that Seth will make sure I meet my goals and will look after me. He does not make it easy all the time, but he makes it fun. He listens, and he understands. Logan is the same way.”
“This journey I have been on is strange and it’s been long, but I know I will always have Rock Valley there to make sure I get better,’’ Nussbaum added “I love my family and want to be able to do things with my grandkids that they – and I – like to do. I look forward to that. And to do things “The Boss’’ loves to do. I am at a certain age where it can go good or bad for me health-wise and thanks to Rock Valley, I am moving toward being me again. As I said, Rock Valley truly does treat you like a member of the family.’’
By: Johnny Marx, Rock Valley Storyteller