Over the past few years, the pain in Mary Geckle’s knees had gotten so bad she found herself requesting a wheelchair to get from one end of the airport to another. Her whole life she had considered herself to be an independent woman and at the age of 74, she wasn’t about to let that change.

“Being independent is important to me,” said Mary. “My knees had gotten so bad they were bone on bone. I couldn’t walk far without a cane. The pain held me back tremendously.”

Having moved to Batesville from Cincinnati in 2016, Mary admits she was skeptical at first about using a community hospital for her care. Her first experience with MMH was a cataract surgery.

“I was so pleased with the care I received during that surgery,” Mary said. “I’ve lived all over the U.S. and been in other hospitals. Many of them were great facilities but none of them were as personable as Margaret Mary. Here, the staff is connected and people work together well. Even the food is good, and I’m picky!”

Having built trust with the team at MMH, Mary met with Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. William G. McDonald III and scheduled a total knee replacement on her left knee last fall. The surgery was so successful, she went ahead and had her right knee replaced three months later.

“I love Dr. McDonald,” Mary said. “He’s extremely good at what he does. The first surgery was so easy that I said, ‘Sign me up for the next one!’”

Up until the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Mary was undergoing physical therapy at MMH’s Rehab Center located on State Road 129 in Batesville.

“One month after my first knee replacement, I was walking without a cane or walker!” said Mary. “My therapists were fantastic. When they pushed me to do a little more, I found myself being able to do more.”

As for what the future holds, Mary’s goal is to keep living life to the fullest.

“I’ve been truly blessed,” said Mary. “My plan now is to stay healthy and drive to Pennsylvania to visit friends. I’m too young to sit at home.”