Twyla's Rotator Cuff Repair and Knee Surgery Experience in Mexico

Patient Name: Twyla

Age: 58

Residence: Calgary, Canada

Profession: Retired Teacher

Diagnose: Complete Rotator Cuff Tear and Chronic Knee Pain

Treatment: Rotator Cuff Repair and Orthopedic/Knee Surgery Treatment Destination: Mexico

Cost: $15,000 (Combined)

Clinic: Dra. Brenda Delangel Medical Tourism

Facilitator: PlacidWay

My name is Twyla, and for most of my life, I was a schoolteacher. I taught grade one for thirty-four years, which means a lot of bending down, a lot of lifting little kids up, and a lot of writing on chalkboards. It was the most rewarding job in the world, but it was also tough on the body. I retired a few years ago, thinking I’d finally have the chance to enjoy my garden and travel with my husband, but my body had other plans.

It started with a persistent ache in my shoulder. It was a dull throb at first, something I’d just rub and ignore. But it got worse, a sharp, searing pain that made it impossible to lift my arm above my head. Simple things like getting a dish from a cupboard or even just pulling on a sweater became an agonizing struggle. Then my knee, which had been a bit creaky for a while, started acting up. The pain was so bad it felt like I was walking on glass with every step. My dream of long hikes and tending my prize-winning roses was disappearing right before my eyes.

The diagnosis from my doctor in Calgary was what I expected: a complete rotator cuff tear and chronic degenerative arthritis in my knee. The solution was surgery for both, but then came the dreaded conversation about wait times. "Twyla, you're looking at a wait of at least two to three years for the shoulder surgery alone," he said, "and the knee will be another wait after that." My heart just sank. Two years? Two years of this constant, debilitating pain? I felt trapped in my own body. My husband and I were supposed to be enjoying our golden years, not watching them pass us by while I waited for a surgery date that was still a number on a list. The emotional toll was immense. I felt useless and isolated. My husband was a rock, but I could see the worry in his eyes. He hated seeing me in so much pain.

My daughter, bless her heart, was the one who first mentioned medical tourism. She's a researcher by trade and started looking into options for me. At first, I was skeptical. Surgery in another country? It sounded so risky, so… out there. But the more she showed me, the more I started to see a glimmer of hope. We looked at places like the United States, but the cost was astronomical. It was completely out of our price range. Mexico kept coming up as a promising option, known for quality care at a fraction of the cost, but how do you even begin to sort through all the clinics and doctors?

When I was told the wait time for my surgeries, I felt like the world had stopped. The pain was my new normal, and I couldn't accept that. I knew there had to be another way, a faster way to get my life back.

That's when we found PlacidWay. From the very first phone call, the entire experience was different. My case manager, Elena, was an angel. She listened to my entire story with such genuine empathy. I didn’t feel like a number; I felt like a person with real fears and a real problem. She explained the entire process of getting my medical records transferred, getting virtual consultations with doctors, and understanding the costs involved. She was a constant source of support, answering all my questions and holding my hand virtually through the entire process.

The consultation with Dra. Brenda Delangel was what sealed the deal. Elena had set up a video call, and Dra. Delangel was so professional, so knowledgeable, and so reassuring. She looked at my scans and explained the procedure in a way I could easily understand. She made me feel confident in her abilities and her team. The clinic itself was stunning—clean, modern, and high-tech, and the price she quoted for both the rotator cuff repair and the knee surgery combined was less than half of what the initial quote for just the shoulder surgery was in the U.S. It felt like a miracle.

The travel itself was surprisingly smooth. PlacidWay arranged everything, from the airport pickup to the hotel. It felt more like a vacation than a medical trip, at least at the beginning. I was still nervous, of course, but the warm weather and friendly faces in Mexico were a nice distraction. The clinic was even more impressive in person. The staff spoke perfect English, and every detail was taken care of. I was in a private room, and I felt completely safe and cared for. The surgeries went perfectly, one right after the other with a short rest in between. I woke up feeling sore, but with a sense of immense relief that the waiting was finally over.

My recovery was a journey in itself. The clinic had a wonderful physical therapy team, and they worked with me every day, patiently guiding me through exercises. My husband was there with me, and we’d take short, careful walks around the garden of the clinic. The pain was manageable, and with each day, I felt a little stronger. We even had a few days to explore a bit of the local culture and enjoy some of the amazing food. It felt like I was healing my body and my spirit at the same time.

I'm so grateful for PlacidWay. They didn't just find me a clinic; they guided me through a life-changing journey. I couldn't have done this without them. They gave me hope when I felt like I had none left.

Coming home was surreal. I can now lift my arm all the way up, and the constant ache in my shoulder is gone. My knee no longer screams with every step. I'm back in my garden, pruning my roses and tending to my vegetables. I can go on walks with my husband, and we're planning a trip to see the grandkids that I never thought would be possible. I feel like myself again, but better. I have a newfound appreciation for the simple things, like being able to tie my own shoes without pain.

I can't recommend PlacidWay enough. They were more than a medical tourism facilitator; they were a partner in my journey to reclaim my life. If you're out there, feeling trapped by wait times or the high cost of healthcare, please, give them a call. They can open doors you never knew existed. They gave me back my mobility, my independence, and my dreams.

Contact Clinic thorugh PlacidWay here: https://www.placidway.com/profile/323956/Dra-Brenda-Delangel

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