nate quarry - the ultimate fight

With MMA FIGHTER and XLIF® patient

Nate Quarry

THE

FIGHTULTIMATE

THE BACK PAIN THAT ENDED MY CAREER AND THE SURGERY THAT ALLOWED ME

TO MAKE A COMEBACK

Nate QuarryRetired MMA FighterXLIF® Patient AmbassadorThe Better Way Back®

THE ULTIMATE FIGHT

four. But it was a constant, grinding

ache that would make me tired,

irritable, and just plain miserable.

If I didn’t keep taking my pain

medications, I’d feel even worse.

Each morning when I woke up, my

back would be so stiff and so inflamed, I would get

up like Frankenstein’s monster. I’d raise myself slowly

out of bed and shuffle to the bathroom to wash up. I

couldn’t even bend over to splash water on my face,

so I’d support myself with one hand on the sink, lower

myself, and then scoop water with the other hand.

The pain escalated to a point where I couldn’t even pick

up my daughter. I remember telling Ciera, “I’m sorry,

sweetheart. I can’t lift you right now, but I’m going to

get this fixed. Give me a month or two, and everything

I was an Ultimate Fighter. The Octagon™

was my office. But although I made my

living fighting, I’m really a big softie.

I’m a single father. The joy of my life

is an incredibly intelligent, blue-eyed

little girl who puts a smile on my face

every day. “I love you, Daddy,” Ciera

often yells to me when she watches me

spar in the gym, training for a fight. Those words

keep me going. “I love you, too,” I always answer.

As you’d expect, pain is a reality in my sport—from

training to competition. And I’ve experienced a lot of

it. I’ve had stitches, sprained wrists and ankles, broken

noses, concussions, and even my right pectoral muscle

torn during a “friendly” practice. On a one to 10 scale

of pain, that last injury was definitely a 10. By contrast,

the pain that developed in my back was only about a

“The joy of my life is an

incredibly intelligent,

blue-eyed little girl who

puts a smile on my face

every day.”

Visit www.tbwb.org/join

“Fortitudine vincimus:

BY ENDURANCE, WE CONQUER.

It’s the tattoo on my left arm. And they’re also the words I live by.”By Nate Quarry

will be fine again.” She’d look at me with those trusting

eyes and say, “OK, Daddy—I’ll wait.”

On top of the constant discomfort, I also had very little

energy. I was reduced to watching her play instead of

being able to chase her around. Suddenly, the ache in

my heart was worse than the pain in my back.

I knew my life had to change. I couldn’t go on like this

any longer. So I made an appointment with a surgeon.

TAKING ACTIONThe doctor stepped into the exam room and said,

“Nate, please let me see you walk toward the wall.”

So I slid off the examination table as best as I could

and hobbled across the room.

The doctor shook his head and frowned. He then

opened my file, studied several of my x-rays, and

jotted some notes. “Here’s the deal,” he said, finally

looking up. “You already know that you have advanced

degenerative disc disease, so you basically have two

options. First, you could do nothing and over the course

of the next 20 or 30 years, your vertebrae will slowly

grow together on their own and fuse, but likely out

of alignment. It will be quite a painful process, keep

you from doing many of the things you like to do, and

certainly keep you from ever fighting again.”

“Suddenly, the ache in my

heart was worse than the

pain in my back.”

“THE PAIN ESCALATED TO A POINT WHERE I COULDN’T EVEN PICK UP MY DAUGHTER.”


“I KNEW MY LIFE HAD TO CHANGE. I COULDN’T GO ON LIKE THIS ANY LONGER.”

Finally, the doctor said, “The second option is to have

surgery. If you choose option two, you might be able to

return to your sport.”

Didn’t he understand that this is my life he’s talking

about? This is my career, my future! I paused for a

moment and closed my eyes as the words slowly sunk

in. This was it. This was the decision I knew in my heart

was coming, and now it was here. I had finally arrived

at a place of no return, a place where the biggest

decision of my life had to be made.

Looking up and taking a long, deep breath, I fixed my

eyes on the surgeon and said, “Doc, I don’t have a

choice. I can’t live this way anymore. I really want to

continue my career and compete again—but I’m out of

options. So let’s do it.”

This is what my life has come to? I asked myself as I

sat in the doctor’s office. I almost couldn’t believe it.

What was I getting myself into?

I hardly heard the surgeon and his assistant as they

talked me through the details of the procedure they

had planned. “The operation is going to be great,” they

said optimistically.

“We just completed a working seminar with a

company that is pioneering a new approach to back

surgery called XLIF ®, which stands for eXtreme Lateral

Interbody Fusion. It’s much less disruptive than

traditional spine surgery because there is less cutting

of the muscles and tissue surrounding the spine. You

should be up and walking in no time.”

Obviously, that sounded good. But I’m a “show-me”

kind of guy.

LIVE THIS WAY ANYMORE.

“Doc, I don’t have a choice.


“I HAD FINALLY ARRIVED AT A PLACE OF NO RETURN, A PLACE WHERE THE BIGGEST DECISION OF MY LIFE HAD TO BE MADE.”

I CAN’TLIVE THIS WAY ANYMORE.I really want to continue my career and compete again—but I’m out of options.

SO LET’S DO IT.”

“Doc, I don’t have a choice.

BACK ON MY FEETThe weeks sped by and before I knew it, I was at

the hospital with medical staff prepping me for

surgery. The nonstop questions and seemingly

endless forms that I had to sign quickly faded into

a jumbled blur. I was at the point of no return.

“You’re in good hands,” a nurse said tenderly, as

she wheeled me down a long hall that led to the

operating room. Once the anesthesiologist worked

his wonders, everything went to black.

A few hours later, I was resting quietly in a hospital

bed. The time waiting for my operation had passed

quickly, and now even my surgery was finally behind

me. The only thing left was my recovery, and I was

ready to get started.

I expected to spend the first few days “doing time,”

allowing my body to heal. But, remarkably, a short 12

hours after surgery I was up and walking all over the

hospital. Within just a few days, I was able to climb

stairs. I almost couldn’t believe it.

In the days and weeks right after my surgery, I set lots

of little goals and went after every one with a passion.

Each of those steps helped assist and speed up my

recovery. As an athlete, I believe that a body in motion

tends to stay in motion. For me, the worst thing I could

have done was to be sedentary. It was essential that I

work my muscles and get the blood flowing again. And

that’s exactly what I did.

My first goal was to walk down the hallway at the

hotel where I was staying during my recovery. I made

it halfway. Two days later, I made it all the way down

the hall. My next goal was even more ambitious: walk

down the hall and back—twice.

“BEFORE SURGERY MY GOALS WERE SIMPLE, TO BE ABLE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AGAIN AND TO RETURN TO LIVING MY DREAM AS A PROFESSIONAL MMA FIGHTER.”

NATE’S POST-OP GOALS


COMPLETE THOUGHTS / COMMENTSMONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

x Walk to the mailboxx Walk to the lamppostx Walk to the street corner Walk half a mile Walk a mile Climb Base Trail Climb Base Trail x2

Just two weeks after my XLIF® procedure, I was doing

a day-hike up Mount Charleston, near Las Vegas.

It was a three-mile outing, and I felt like a man just

released from prison, with his whole life

ahead of him.

The best part of my XLIF procedure and

quick recovery? Being able to pick up

my daughter again. How lucky was I?

Within three months after having spine surgery, I was

back in the gym training again. Can you believe it?

I said training!

Understand this: any surgery involves pain and no

operation is fun. I had some pain and discomfort at

my incision site, but it was nothing compared to my

pain level before having the operation. It’s a lot like

exercising. You accept that there will be soreness

involved in a workout. But it’s temporary—and you

“A short 12 hours after

surgery I was up and

walking all over

the hospital.”

know the benefits will be rewarding and worth it.

I was determined to reach my biggest goal of all:

returning to The Octagon™. I wasn’t about to let

anything get in the way. And before I

knew it, my body was in top condition

again. Within 15 months after my

operation, I was looking to complete

my comeback by returning to The

Octagon in Las Vegas. My opponent?

An old adversary: Pete “Drago” Sell.

THE “IMPOSSIBLE” VICTORYOn September 19, 2007, I returned to my sport

absolutely convinced that I would win again. Sell,

on the other hand, claimed that he was going to

“crush the Rock” and derail my comeback.

Unfortunately, most folks believed him.

“IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS RIGHT AFTER MY SURGERY, I SET LOTS OF LITTLE GOALS AND WENT AFTER EVERY ONE WITH A PASSION.”

“Quarry has been through the ringer during his

tumultuous mixed martial arts career and still faces an

uphill climb,” wrote one sports reporter. “He needs a

miracle if he hopes to stay alive tonight,” said another.

It had been nearly two years since I’d last stepped into

The Octagon™. But that night I was back. I was the

underdog for sure, but I was back in the ring in a highly

publicized “comeback fight.”

With the crowd roaring and cameras flashing, I psyched

up for what I’d gone there to do: get my life back.

My thoughts turned instantly to the person I fight for

and I fixed my mind on the most perfect face I

know—Ciera. If I don’t do what I have to do, if I don’t

bring to this fight every ounce of heart that I have, I

might not be able to provide for my little girl, I told

myself. This will be the end of our dreams. If I can’t do

this tonight, how will I ever be able to convince her to

follow her hopes and become whatever she desires?

Seconds later, my opponent and I were announced

and the action began. I immediately threw a low-lying

kick and Sell countered with a one-two to my head.

My head cornerman groaned, “Here we go. This could

be a long night!”

For what felt like an eternity, we exchanged countless

punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbows. He nailed me

and I hit him back. We were both winded. When the

second round started, I threw a lazy left jab. He countered

with a straight right that found its home—my jaw! I crashed

to the mat, temporarily stunned.

I managed to get up, but later on in the same round,

Sell threw a Superman Punch. That’s when a fighter

jumps into the air and swings with a hard right hand.

He hit me square in the head. But this time, instead of

falling to the mat, something switched on inside me.

I just stood there...grinning. Is that it? I asked myself.

I’ve taken everything he’s thrown at me. If that’s all

he has, I’m not going anywhere. And I’m certainly not

going down!

BACK.”


TWO YEARS

BACK.”since I’d last stepped into The Octagon™.

But that night I was

“It had been nearly

Sell stared at me with a shocked expression that

seemed to say, “What does it take to drop this guy?”

Between rounds, I noticed something else about my

opponent. During the first round, he had been jumping

all over the place, moving constantly. But then he

seemed to be slowing down. He wasn’t moving as

much anymore. This is my moment, I told myself.

I have to finish him—right now!

As the bell rang to start the next round, I rushed

toward him and connected with an overhand right

thrown as hard as I could. It dropped him. Then I landed

one more punch for good measure and knocked him out

cold! It all happened so fast. The next thing I knew, the

referee was jumping in to stop the fight.

I won! It’s over! I’ve come back...all the way back!

PAYING IT FORWARDMany people found my return to The Octagon™ after

surgery inspiring. I began to receive hundreds of emails

and calls from people in pain or with loved ones who

were suffering. Naturally, I wanted to help—and

The Better Way Back® community gave me that

opportunity to really pay it forward.

Since 2007, I’ve been a Patient Ambassador for

The Better Way Back program. I’m part of a small

but growing army of more than 1,000 former patients

who had successful XLIF® surgery and are now actively

helping other patients considering or recovering

from surgery.

In my role, I have the opportunity to travel to the

offices of surgeons around the country and meet their

patients and their staff. I make sure the surgeons

know about the latest technological developments in

back surgery —in particular, the minimally disruptive

procedure that got me back on my feet.

Want help planning your own comeback? Contact The Better Way Back to speak to a Patient Ambassador:

1.800.745.7099

[email protected]

BY ENDURANCE, WE CONQUERWhen I’m on the phone with a patient, I usually ask

about the activities they can’t do anymore because

of the pain. What is it that they miss the most? The

answers run the gamut—from simply sleeping through

the night, to gardening, playing with grandchildren,

hitting a golf ball, or just going for a walk in the woods.

And after listening, I love asking them

if they would also like to become an

Ultimate cage fighter. They laugh. But I

remind them that is exactly what I was

able to do after my surgery. That seems

to really sink in.

Over the years, I’ve spent hundreds of

hours on the phone with patients.

I consider it a great honor to be welcomed

into their lives and to be told their most

personal stories. When I check back with them weeks

later, they share how glad they are that they had

moved forward with the surgery. Their pain is gone or

fading fast. Their depression is lifting.

There’s one phrase that I’ve heard so many times from

patients, but it never ceases to touch me: “I have my

life back!”

If you or a loved one has chronic back or leg pain, please feel free to contact me at [email protected]. I would be honored to listen to your story, answer your questions, and, above all, make sure you never forget that there are solutions. And there is hope.

Fortitudine vincimus.

Every Monday morning, with a cup of coffee freshly

brewed, I call surgical practices and ask the staff if

they have any patients who might need some support

or might benefit from talking with someone who

knows, firsthand, what they’re going through. With the

go-ahead from the staff, I connect with those patients

or direct them to The Better Way Back®, where they

are paired with someone who shares their interests

or participates in similar activities. I tell them about

my journey—from being unable to walk, to my XLIF®

surgery, to my triumph in The Octagon™.

But mostly I listen.

I listen to them as they describe the

pain, the depression, and the fear

they are experiencing. They often

feel completely alone, scared,

uncertain about what to do, and

even worthless. They feel like

burdens to their families. They’ve

heard nothing but horror stories

about back surgery and, as they share what

they are going through, many of them burst

into tears.

Even the toughest people, including firemen and

professional athletes, have great difficulty dealing with

chronic pain. I vividly remember speaking with a man

who works as a prison guard. Although he deals with

dangerous inmates every day, he was never as scared

as he was on the day of his surgery. “I’m terrified. Is

that OK?” he asked me.

I told him I understood completely and that I had

also been terrified before my operation. After several

minutes of two tough guys talking about their deepest

fears, he told me that he was going to go ahead with

the procedure. A few weeks later, I spoke with him

again and he was doing great. “Best decision of my

life,” he shared.

Nate Quarry Lucky XLIF® Patient since June 14, 2006

“Over the years, I’ve

spent hundreds of hours

on the phone with

patients. I consider it

a great honor to be

welcomed into their

lives and told their

most personal stories.”

“I’M PART OF A SMALL BUT GROWING ARMY OF MORE THAN 1,000 FORMER PATIENTS WHO HAD SUCCESSFUL XLIF® SURGERY AND ARE NOW ACTIVELY HELPING OTHER PATIENTS.”

“I MAKE SURE SURGEONS KNOW ABOUT THE LATEST TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN BACK SURGERY.” “THERE’S ONE PHRASE THAT

I’VE HEARD SO MANY TIMES FROM PATIENTS, BUT IT NEVER CEASES TO TOUCH ME: I HAVE MY LIFE BACK!”

“THE BEST PART OF MY XLIF® PROCEDURE AND QUICK RECOVERY? BEING ABLE TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AGAIN.”

ASK NATE

Nate Quarry fought and won his battle against degenerative

disc disease and chronic back pain. He’s available to answer

your questions and help you develop your own action plan.

Email Nate at [email protected]

or visit www.tbwb.org/ask.

At The Better Way Back, we understand what it’s like to suffer from chronic back or leg pain. We’re a community that wants to help individuals overcome the fear and uncertainty of spine surgery. We know what it’s like to have your life slowly taken from you and how debilitating back pain can affect your ability to do things, and also rob you of hope. Fortunately, today there are new surgical options that were not available just a few years ago. In the hands of highly trained surgeons, patients are now getting rid of their pain, leaving the hospital sooner, and returning to the things they love much quicker. The Better Way Back connects patients considering surgery with those who have gone through it and are willing to share their experiences.

Nate Quarry is one of those grateful patients whose life was given back to him and he wants to make sure everyone knows about the surgical options that are now available.

Please visit The Better Way Back at www.TheBetterWayBack.org or call 1.800.745.7099.

ABOUT THE BETTER WAY BACK®

The Better Way Back was developed and is funded by NuVasive®, Inc. Nate Quarry is a paid spokesman of NuVasive, Inc.The material and information provided in this book are for your general education only. As with any medical condition

and treatment, individual experiences will vary. The information presented in this book is for informational purposes only and does not replace the relationship that you have with your healthcare professional. We are not medical practitioners and

do not practice medicine or provide medical services or advice as a part of this book. You should always consult your healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

©2013. NuVasive, Inc. All rights reserved. , , NuVasive, Speed of Innovation, SOLAS, The Better Way Back, and XLIF are registered trademarks of NuVasive, Inc. The Octagon is a trademark of Zuffa, LLC.

9501172 A

nate quarry - the ultimate fight

Documents