The APF Video Project

Chris

Our latest interviewee, Chris, lives in the scenic and historic community of Gloucester (recall the book and movie “A Perfect Storm?”). Chris and I have been talking occasionally for several years now.

Though it was in the low 20s when I visited Gloucester, I detoured to the beach where I took some still shots and HD film. Some of the footage may be in the final credits, but that’s a story for another day.

I showed up at Chris’ house on a cold, wintry night with my low-budget lighting equipment needed for the “living room interview.” I purchased the lighting kit the day before from Home Depot: three lights and an extension cord for $14. (Really. I am not kidding.) Chris and his wife welcomed me into their beautiful home, while their son helped me set up the wireless mikes.

I was happy to be welcomed into such a nice living room, complete with a warm fire adorned with a perfect mantelpiece. Not a bad setting to experience after a sub-zero event on Good Harbor beach, seen here. I’m a pretty simple guy and don’t gravitate towards fancifories (yup, made that up) or fine adornments, but I couldn’t help noticing how perfect Chris’ house was inside.

We quickly settled into the interview process. Chris spoke about his job as a shop foreman for a high end woodworking company, a physically demanding role for anyone - let alone a spine patient. I learned about how active he was as a cyclist, woodworker, husband and father before he learned of his two diseased discs (L4-S1). We talked about the challenges a bad back imposes on the family dynamic: from changes in socializing (not sitting is a real problem!) to changing driving habits…to all the other daily activities we take for granted.

His wife Marcy played an active role in Chris’ research and medical appointments. In fact, to me, she seems like the perfect patient advocate. Together, they consulted with several doctors, performed hundred of hours of online research and opted to have a two-level Charite’ artificial disc replacement. Few of us from the ADR community have heard about two level Charite ADRs, but here’s something even more unusual — it was paid for by his insurer, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care! On camera, Chris expressed a very clear message to the folks at Harvard Pilgrim: “I am very grateful that my insurance covered the procedure! I am doing very well, thank you!”

Chris surprised me with some things during the interview. One was that his surgery lasted six hours, a bit unusual for a two-level procedure. And he went back to work three weeks after the procedure! However, later in his recovery, he did suffer from complex pain in his lower back, which turned out to be a hip problem that was later corrected surgically. You will hear more about these details in the video.

I was lucky to also interview Marcy, Chris’ wife and “patient advocate.” She was full of life, and had some words of wisdom appropriate for any family that has a spine patient. After that, I filmed Chris’ offering me the “nickel tour” of the first floor.

As it turns out, Chris designed, built and finished every detailed piece of beautiful wood in his house: from the crown molding in the tray ceilings, the kitchen chairs, kitchen cabinets, Eucalyptus entertainment center and the arched dining room ceilings made to look like the inside of a boat. I really marveled at his skill at accomplishing these tasks, while also recalling he was nearly disabled just a few years ago.

Seeing Chris as he is now, it is hard to believe that he went through some hellish times just a few years ago. But it also seems that the strength, love and support of his family helped carry him through it all, to where he is now: cycling, woodworking, parenting, working and loving.