When Bruce H. and Becky B. married 64 years ago, just before their high school graduation, the words “in sickness and in health” were simply part of the vows. They were young – as family and friends often reminded them – and far too in love to think about what those words might someday mean.
Life unfolded in rural Wilson County, located between Raleigh and Greenville, full of promise and everyday joys: A home to care for, a living to earn, and two boys to raise. A new job in insurance eventually brought them to Davidson County, where they settled into a split-level home in Lexington. For four decades, they worked hard, embraced their family, and enjoyed a good life together.
But as the years passed, those words from their wedding day took on new meaning.
Find the spine and back care you deserve.
Becky endured two knee replacements, back surgery and then, two years ago, a devastating fall that broke her thigh bone where it connects to her hip. Surgery and recovery followed. Meanwhile, Bruce – at 78 – began experiencing severe leg pain. He believes years spent on his feet and climbing in and out of cars as an insurance salesman finally caught up to him.
By then, the couple kept two walkers on each floor of their home, helping them navigate the stairs and hallways. Even as Bruce managed his own pain, he began noticing subtle memory changes in Becky. Eventually, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and began medication to help slow its progression.
Bruce’s own pain worsened despite physical therapy and steroid injections. “I knew I had to do something,” he said. “I needed to be in the best shape I could to take care of my bride.”
His primary care physician, Dr. Gary Morgan of Novant Health Friedberg Family Medicine, ordered further tests, leading Bruce to the Novant Health Spine Institute.
There, physician assistant Michael Harris pinpointed the source of the pain.
Then Harris referred him to spine surgeon Dr. Chase Bennett, chief of spine surgery at Novant Health Brain & Spine Surgery.
Bennett and his team performed a complex decompression and spinal fusion procedure to remove the pressure from his spinal nerves and to stabilize the bones in his back. Metal screws and rods now hold the vertebrae together as the bone fuses naturally. The surgery was a success – and the leg pain is gone.
But during recovery, there was new heartbreak. The couple’s younger son, Michael, passed away at age 59 from occupational lung disease caused by years of brick masonry. Bruce credits his improved strength and mobility from physical therapy with helping him support his daughter-in-law and family through their grief.
Now 82, Bruce knew it was time for another major change: leaving the split-level home they’d loved for 40 years. With Becky using a walker full-time, the stairs had become too much. After six months of searching, they found a one-level patio home nearby – still in Davidson County and close to their older son, Gregory.
“Things have worked out really good,” Bruce said with a smile. “I put off surgery for as long as I could. Fortunately, they were able to get it fixed – and hopefully it’ll last the rest of my lifetime.”
Through all the years, challenges and changes, Bruce and Becky have continued to live out those vows they once spoke as teenagers – in sickness and in health – with grace, resilience and unwavering love.
