12/05/2025
For years, Diana Bauer pushed through pain most people couldn’t imagine. A car accident five years ago left the 65-year-old widow struggling with pain in her left hip that only worsened after two more falls. Eventually, she could no longer put weight on her leg.
“I was even mowing my lawn with one arm and using a crutch with the other,” Diana recalls with a laugh. “You just do what you have to do.”
Without health insurance, Diana had to wait until she turned 65 to finally seek medical care. When X-rays revealed severe osteoarthritis in her hip, her primary care provider referred her to orthopedic trauma surgeon Seth Phillips, DO at Mercy Health — St. Vincent Medical Center.
Dr. Phillips was able to perform a total hip replacement that changed Diana’s life.
“Dr. Phillips was kind and answered every question I had very clearly and in a way that I could understand,” Diana shares. “He was a wonderful doctor, and everyone treated me wonderfully while I was in the hospital. I’m blessed and grateful for the care I received from Dr. Phillips and his entire team. I would recommend him highly to anyone.”
Diana shared she was incredibly grateful for everyone she encountered during her hospital stay. “I was well cared for, and I felt comfortable with myself and the situation I was going through while I was there.”
Now, just months later, Diana is working hard at home with her physical therapy team and focusing on her healing journey. “They’ve been amazing,” she says. “I’m still in some pain, but I can already do things I haven’t been able to do in five years.”
Every day, she takes small steps toward recovery. “I’m being careful on the stairs and doing all my exercises,” she says. “I don’t want to risk my fancy new hip!”
For Diana, one of the things she looks forward to most is returning to her garden. A lover of flowers, birds and the outdoors, she hasn’t been able to garden in years. “When I look outside at my garden, I see all the things I want to do,” she explains. “I think I’ll get there if I keep taking care of myself.”
Known for her generous spirit, Diana has always been a caregiver to others. “Diana spelled backward is ‘an aid,’” she shares. But now, she says it’s her turn to focus on herself and her health.
Even though she’s faced much of her recovery on her own after losing her husband five years ago, she says her family, especially her oldest sister, has been a source of comfort and support. “My sister has been my guardian angel, taking me to appointments and staying with me through it all,” she shares.
“Diana showed remarkable resilience long before she ever came to see me,” said Dr. Phillips. “It was a privilege to help restore her mobility, and seeing her get back to the activities she loves has been incredibly rewarding. Her determination is a major part of her recovery, and I’m confident she’ll continue to thrive.”
Thanks to the compassionate care she received and her own determination, Diana is on the path to healing, and one step closer to getting back to the garden she loves.
Has the compassionate care you or a loved one received at Mercy Health made a lasting impact on your life? Visit the link in the comments to share your story with us.
