Regional Medical Center | Thrive for Life | Winter 2018

FOR 39-YEAR-OLD Joshua Copeland, saying no to his four kids was no longer an option. While “so young” to undergo hip replacement, he was tired of telling his kids that he couldn’t run that 5K, he couldn’t play ball in the yard, he couldn’t do the things that were important to them. Copeland has coached baseball, his daughter is in dance and all three sons are involved in sports. His wife, Brandy, is a fifth-grade teacher and a high school color-guard instructor. “I want to be that dad who says yes!” says Copeland, a pastor. Copeland was born with hip dysplasia, a congenital or developmental deformation or misalignment of the hip joint. He has experienced significant pain for the past seven to eight years. In February 2017, he told Gordon Hardy, MD, his orthopedic surgeon, that he was ready for joint replacement surgery. Care coordination Having enrolled in RMC’s innovative web-based JointCOACH™ program in the weeks and months before surgery, Copeland checked into RMC Anniston on June 19, 2017, knowing what to expect during his hospital stay and throughout recovery. Shannon LeCroy, RN, MSN, joint care coordinator at RMC Anniston, helped Copeland and his wife navigate the journey. “Her heart for patients is huge,” says Copeland. “She is the right person for her job! My experience at RMC and with the entire team was so positive.” Eight hours post-op, Copeland walked 10 to 12 feet and back to his bed. He went to group therapy sessions and did exercises in his room. On day three, he went home. After missing only one week, he returned to ministry as pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church in Anniston. By mid-August, he was back in the driver’s seat. Recently, while Copeland tossed the football with his 9-year-old son, Jon David asked his dad if he thought Getting back to life with joint replacement he could kick it. “I’ll try,” responded Copeland. While it wasn’t a perfect kick, he didn’t have to say no! Family time Copeland is back to the life he loves with his wife and four children—Jon David, 11-year-old Christopher, 5-year-old Alexander and 3-year-old Maizie Grace. Copeland credits his wife as the real hero in this story. She participated in the learning process prior to surgery. And after surgery, she was not only mom extraordinaire and his caregiver, but she took care of everything—including unpacking from their recent move (a week before surgery), cutting the grass and more. “Those two months gave me 20 years back,” reflects Copeland. “Having my hip replacement was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” A JOINT VENTURE “I want to be that dad who says yes!” says Copeland. 11 rmccares.org