“Thank you with all my heart for everything you did for me. I pray you may continue helping many people like me because we need medical specialists. Everyone was so kind. I will never be able to repay you.”

Vilma, a Marin County resident, grew up in Guatemala. She fondly remembers playing basketball after school with her friends and family on a court surrounded by beautiful green mountains. After moving to California, Vilma and her four siblings kept the tradition alive by playing pickup games during the summer. Unfortunately, in 2021, she started to experience pain in her right shoulder, so she stopped playing basketball. The pain affected all aspects of her life. At work, it was difficult to wash and cut vegetables. At home, her shoulder pain prevented her from completing chores as well. Vilma even struggled when folding laundry.

Uninsured, Vilma postponed seeking care for over five months. During that time, she used ibuprofen to alleviate her worsening pain. She also tried to rest and ice her shoulder at home, hoping her condition would improve. Constant activity at work, however, continued to aggravate her shoulder injury. When Vilma began experiencing weakness in her right arm and the pain became intolerable, she visited her primary care provider, Dr. Kareen Espino, at Marin Community Clinics.

Dr. Espino ordered X-rays, which indicated nothing significant. When Vilma met with Dr. Espino again, she asked if he could order an MRI, which she knew might reveal medical problems not visible in an X-ray. The MRI revealed she had a partial right rotator cuff tear. Dr. Daniel Solomon, an orthopedist from California Orthopedics & Spine, who provides services at Marin Community Clinics and is also one of our self-referring volunteers, followed up with Vilma and recommended shoulder repair surgery due to the severity of the tear. Dr. Solomon referred her to our program, and we determined she was eligible.

Vilma was anxious about the surgery because she had seen her sister undergo the same procedure and recovery. Vilma knew the healing process would be painful and time-consuming, but she understood it was the only way her life would improve. She could not continue the way things were, with sleepless nights and unrelenting pain.

Dr. Solomon and his team performed rotator cuff repair surgery at North Bay Regional Surgery Center. The surgery was successful, and Vilma started physical therapy treatment at Novato Community Hospital-Physical Therapy and Sports Fitness. At first, she was fearful about moving her right arm, but the support and encouragement from the physical therapists overseeing her care meant the world to her and motivated her to keep up with the exercises to regain her mobility.

Vilma is back at work and continues to take diligent care of her right shoulder and arm to ensure she continues to heal properly. Dr. Solomon and her physical therapists have cleared her to return to some of her usual activities. Recently, Vilma was thrilled to play soccer with her 6-year-old son. When she plays, she makes sure not to overexert her right shoulder. Vilma looks forward to playing basketball with her siblings again. She is grateful for the care and support she received from Dr. Solomon and his team, the physical therapy team at NCH, and her interpreter, Isabella Shlager.

"Thank you with all my heart for everything you did for me. I pray you may continue helping many people like me because we need medical specialists. Everyone was so kind. I will never be able to repay you."

Story and photo shared with patient’s permission.