When Timothy Best and his family unexpectedly met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican this summer, it was a surreal moment they will never forget. What made the experience even more meaningful was how close the trip had come to never happening.
For years, Best had been living with chronic back pain. Everyday activities were difficult, and the idea of taking an international trip felt out of reach.
Chronic pain does not have to mean giving up on the life you want, says Dr. Enrique Galang, a pain medicine specialist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. “We work with patients to find the right care plan so they can still do the things that matter most to them.”
A trip that almost didn’t happen
Best had lived with severe back pain for years. He and his family had long dreamed of traveling to Italy, but as his pain persisted, the trip began to feel less realistic.
“We had talked about going to Italy for years,” Best says. “But eventually, a long international flight, sitting on a plane for hours, and walking miles in a foreign country, just didn’t feel possible anymore.”
Back pain is one of the most common causes of disability worldwide and affects more than 600 million people. For many, it can make daily activities, including travel, much more difficult.
Galang is part of Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist’s academic pain medicine program, one of the largest of its kind in the country. His team works closely with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that focus on non-opioid approaches to improve mobility and daily function.
After establishing care with Galang, Best began a personalized plan focused on helping him improve his quality of life. Over time, as Galang built a relationship with him and his family, he learned about Best’s long-held dream of traveling to Italy.
As his treatment progressed, the pain gradually became more manageable. As Best started feeling better, conversations about the trip shifted from a distant idea to something they could begin planning.
Galang began working with Best to think through what it would take to travel safely and comfortably. Before long, planning for the trip became part of his treatment.
Preparation is key
Galang worked with Best to review his medications, make adjustments as needed, and prepare documentation required for international travel with prescription medications.
He also helped Best plan for the physical demands of travel. Simple strategies such as standing and walking during the flight, moving while seated to prevent stiffness, and using lumbar support to protect his lower back would help make the trip more comfortable.
Once in Italy, the focus was on staying mobile and pacing each day. Walking, stretching, and other light movement helped keep Best’s muscles loose, while tools like a scooter or wheelchair were used when needed.
“Some soreness with activity is normal,” says Galang. “I encouraged Best to listen to his body, but not let the fear of discomfort keep him from experiencing the things he was excited about.”
With that preparation and support, Best and his family felt confident moving forward with their trip.
A moment the family will never forget
When the Best family finally arrived in Italy, the trip became even more meaningful than they imagined.
During a papal audience, they were unexpectedly seated in the front row beside Pope Leo XIV, giving them the opportunity to meet and speak with the Pope.
The family later described the moment as surreal and deeply spiritual.
When Best returned home and shared the story, Galang says it was incredibly meaningful to hear.
“I have known Tim and his family for years,” he says. “Knowing he was able to do something he once thought was impossible brought me to tears.”
Living fully despite chronic pain
Chronic pain can leave patients feeling discouraged, especially after years of treatments that have not provided lasting relief.
“Many patients are weary by the time they see us,” says Galang. “But stories like this show there is still hope.”
For Galang, pain management is about more than treating symptoms. It is about helping patients reclaim the parts of life that matter most to them. With the right care plan, thoughtful preparation, and ongoing support, patients living with chronic pain can still pursue meaningful experiences.
For Best, that meant finally taking the trip he once believed was impossible and creating a memory he will never forget.
Learn more about Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Pain Management.
