At age 73, Jane Alcott has undergone multiple surgeries to relieve her arthritis and is still ready to take on the world

By Lauren Himiak

For many with painful arthritis, the idea of taking long walks or being up on one's feet can be intimidating. But for others, the choice to overcome an obstacle such as walking is an easy one to make. Despite multiple surgeries, cancer and arthritis, Jane Alcott is one survivor who doesn't plan on slowing down for anyone.

At age 73, Alcott has battled uterine cancer, had five major surgeries in the past five years, and is currently suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Just don't tell Alcott she is suffering.

"I feel 50!" she exclaimed. "My hair isn't even gray."

When you talk to Alcott, her positive energy is contagious. She has a zest for life that may come as a surprise when you listen to the health trials she has endured. Alcott's problems started about 40 years ago when she began to have pain in her shoulder. Her uncle, a physician, suggested it could be arthritis.

Serial Surgeries

For years it went unnoticed by Alcott and undiagnosed. It wasn't until 2000 when the pain became severe that she was officially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. What came next was five difficult surgeries, all of which Alcott would never change.

In 2001, Alcott had her right knee replaced and in 2003 her right shoulder was replaced. The following year, Alcott fell and fractured her left hip, which forced physicians to place screws in it. In January 2005, Alcott had a hysterectomy after doctors found a small trace of cancer in her uterus. She underwent one round of radiation and since then, has been cancer free. Amazingly enough, Alcott's health adventures were not over.

In April 2005, Alcott had the screws removed from her hip. In October, she had her left shoulder replaced. The following February, the hip Alcott had previously fractured needed to be completely replaced. Finally in January 2007, she had a total knee arthroplasty.

"I tell you I feel good," said Alcott. For someone who has undergone so much in less than 10 years, Alcott may surprise those who meet her. She has a carefree attitude and is completely content with her life. Would she take back any of her ordeals or surgeries? Absolutely not.

"It was worth it to me," she stated. "I would still have operations if I hurt a lot."

Lately, Alcott has noticed arthritis pain in her right hip. If it comes down to it, she said she will not hesitate to have it replaced. "But that will be the last operation I'll have; unless I can get artificial feet!"

Dedication to PT

What seems to have helped Alcott the most is her drive to be independent and her commitment to physical therapy. In between each surgery, Alcott has received therapy at the Physical Therapy & Wellness (PTW) Institute in Lansdale, PA. Dr. Robert Babb, MBA, PT, has treated Alcott every step of the way and is in awe of her determination.

"Jane is my inspiration," Babb noted. "She has made a commitment to use every resource available to her to stay independent. I admire that in any person, especially one like Jane suffering from potentially debilitating arthritis."

Since her last surgery, the therapists at PTW are working on the imbalances that Jane has, including loss of mobility and strength in the knee.

"When she came in she had 96 degrees of passive range of motion of the knee, and her last measurement was 118 degrees of flexion," Babb stated. "I always tell people that the goal is 110 to 115 degrees for going down steps because that will get you down without limping or having to go sideways. She has accomplished that goal, which is great because that is usually so difficult."

When Alcott began her last bout of physical therapy she could not keep her knee straight lifting against gravity, also known as a straight leg raise. Today, not only can she lift against gravity, but can also do so with a four-pound weight.

Babb's goal is to progress the therapy and work towards an independent program so that Alcott can be discharged. She will continue to visit PTW for the facility's medically based exercise program, meaning Alcott will have access to a therapist whenever she needs it. In addition, Alcott has been taking Remicade, a drug given to her intravenously that has been shown to improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

"My fingers are crooked and I can't flatten my hands down," said Alcott. "My feet hurt a little around the ankles too. After the treatments, the swelling went out of my hands and feet, I could lay my hands flat down, nothing hurt, I could bend better and I could pick things up better." She had to stop her Remicade sessions to have her knee surgery but plans to begin treatment for her joint pain soon.

"She is doing everything she can to improve her quality of life," Babb added.

This includes participating in the activities that bring a sense of joy and accomplishment to her life. Alcott is an avid walker and no surgery seems to hold her back from doing what she likes. Three days a week, Alcott and her friend Stella meet at 6:45 a.m. and walk to Coffee Corner, a local coffee shop in Lansdale. The walk is at least three miles.

"I just do what I do," Alcott supposed. "After my therapy, I exercise to keep moving because I think I should keep moving. I wouldn't stop it if I had to. I feel like if I stop I will get stiff."

Another hobby Alcott refuses to give up is gardening. Those who garden a little know it can require a great deal of kneeling and is challenging for someone with a limited range of motion in the knee. But this doesn't stop Alcott. Instead of kneeling, she bends down to plant her flowers. And this summer will be full of begonias and geraniums.

When she is not walking, planting flowers or visiting PTW, Alcott spends time with her family. She and her husband, Robert, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in April, and she credits him with helping her through the difficult times.

"I couldn't do it without him," she revealed. "He does a lot of things for me and always says things like, 'Why didn't you tell me to get this?'"

When they can, Robert and Jane try to spend time with their two children and four grandchildren. Alcott has no plans to slow down and lives each day to its fullest.

"She has been a pleasure to work with and an unbelievable testimony to living life to the fullest," added Babb. "Every time I see her, I find it very important to give her credit, because I see too many people who just shrivel up at home in light of the pain they are in. They feel that life has passed them by and they just want to sit at home and give into the pain. Jane will never do that."

Lauren Himiak is assistant editor at ADVANCE and can be reached at lhimiak@merion.com