Connecticut
‘Changed everything:’ Double knee replacement transforms quality of life for Connecticut woman
MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A Connecticut woman dealt with debilitating knee pain for years before she said she found a surgeon who listened to her needs and successfully replaced both of her joints.
“I was totally incapacitated,” Gail Rogers Hopkins told News 8.
Going up and down stairs was impossible for her just a couple of years ago.
“I could hardly move because the pain was just that excruciating,” she explained.
Before the pain consumed her, however, she shared her knees just weren’t her top priority.
“You just push it away because there’s kids to take care of and husbands to take care of and houses and work,” she said.
Rogers Hopkins tried all sorts of remedies like cortisone and CBD before exploring surgery.
“Finding the right doctor was key. I fired four orthopedists before I got to Dr. Lahav, because they, because of my weight, they did not want to do the surgery, and they dismissed me.”
The “right” doctor, she said, is orthopedic surgeon Dr. Amit Lahav at Bridgeport Hospital’s Milford Campus.
“Somebody was actually listening to me and that’s, you know, that was the start of it and so I did everything I was told,” Rogers Hopkins explained while fighting back tears.
Lahav helped her develop a weight loss plan in preparation for surgery. Her first knee was replaced in April and the second in June of last year.
Just about a year later, she said, “I didn’t feel like I had a life prior to this, you know, having the surgery done was just incredible, it just has changed everything.”
-
‘Changed everything:’ Double knee replacement transforms quality of life for Connecticut woman.
Lahav is familiar with Rogers Hopkins’ path to surgery, saying, “functional impairments or mechanical symptoms such as arthritis sometimes takes a backseat.”
While he doesn’t discount a hip or knee replacement being major surgery, he added, “a lot of the total joint replacement you do now are same day, you go home, same day, you’re walking just a couple of hours after surgery, full weight-bearing.”
Lahav also emphasizes that recovery isn’t one size fits all.
“It’s a new joint, it does take some work on there, but if you get that work done earlier on and you maximize where you can get, especially over the first few weeks, you can be walking into my office at two weeks saying, I already feel a difference,” Lahav said.
To those struggling with pain like Rogers Hopkins’, she said, “don’t give up.”
She wants others to know, “it was worth the wait.”
Lahav said consider all your options for joint pain, both surgical and non-surgical. If surgery is the option you choose, make sure you understand the process from prep to post-surgery and prioritize quality communication with your medical team.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Connecticut Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play in Connecticut can enter the CT Lotto, Millionaire for Life and Cash 5 games as well as play the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. There are also two drawings a day for the Play 3 with Wild Ball and Play 4 with Wild Ball games.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at Sunday, June 28, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Cash 5 numbers from June 28 drawing
03-09-10-28-35
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play3 numbers from June 28 drawing
Day: 2-9-9, WB: 8
Night: 4-1-0, WB: 1
Check Play3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play4 numbers from June 28 drawing
Day: 2-7-6-6, WB: 9
Night: 1-9-7-4, WB: 4
Check Play4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 28 drawing
04-11-31-54-58, Bonus: 03
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Connecticut Lottery prizes up to $599 can be easily claimed at any authorized CT Lottery Retailer without additional forms or documentation or by mail. For prizes between $600 and $5,000, winners have the option to claim by mail or in person at any CT Lottery High-Tier Claim Center or CT Lottery Headquarters. For prizes between $5,001 and $49,999, winnings must be claimed in person at the Connecticut Lottery headquarters or by mail. All prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at CT Lottery Headquarters. Winners are required to bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security card.
CT Lottery Claims Dept.
15 Sterling Drive
Wallingford, CT 06492
For additional details, including locations of High-Tier Claim Centers, visit the Connecticut Lottery’s claim information page.
When are the Connecticut Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 10:38 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 5: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Connecticut editor. You can send feedback using this form.
WALLINGFORD, Conn. (WFSB) – The Connecticut Department of Transportation is marking two years since the death of Andrew DiDomenico, a DOT worker killed in a work zone crash on June 28, 2024, in Wallingford.
DiDomenico, 26, of Meriden, was struck and killed while working along the shoulder of the Wharton Brook Connector of Interstate 91.
Denise Lucibello, 55, of East Haven, was driving under the influence when her vehicle left the roadway and struck him, according to the state’s attorney’s office.
Lucibello was sentenced to 10 years in prison, execution suspended after five years served, followed by five years of probation. She pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and operating a motor vehicle under the influence.
“The defendant chose to drive under the influence and because of that choice, a young life full of promise was senselessly taken,” State’s Attorney John P. Doyle Jr. said.
DiDomenico’s family started the Andrew DiDomenico Memorial Foundation to honor his legacy and provide scholarships and donations in his name.
CT DOT continues to remind drivers to keep others in mind on the road and themselves.
“Roadside workers put themselves at risk every time they step onto a job site, and it’s on all of us to keep them safe. Drive sober, put the phone away, and slow down and move over in work zones. Lives depend on it.”
Copyright 2026 WFSB. All rights reserved.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Connecticut Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play in Connecticut can enter the CT Lotto, Millionaire for Life and Cash 5 games as well as play the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. There are also two drawings a day for the Play 3 with Wild Ball and Play 4 with Wild Ball games.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at Saturday, June 27, 2026 results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 27 drawing
03-16-28-30-59, Powerball: 11, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 5 numbers from June 27 drawing
06-07-16-19-31
Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play3 numbers from June 27 drawing
Day: 4-1-6, WB: 2
Night: 0-5-7, WB: 5
Check Play3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Play4 numbers from June 27 drawing
Day: 9-4-8-9, WB: 8
Night: 0-7-0-4, WB: 7
Check Play4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from June 27 drawing
26-32-38-51-52, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Connecticut Lottery prizes up to $599 can be easily claimed at any authorized CT Lottery Retailer without additional forms or documentation or by mail. For prizes between $600 and $5,000, winners have the option to claim by mail or in person at any CT Lottery High-Tier Claim Center or CT Lottery Headquarters. For prizes between $5,001 and $49,999, winnings must be claimed in person at the Connecticut Lottery headquarters or by mail. All prizes over $50,000 must be claimed in person at CT Lottery Headquarters. Winners are required to bring a government-issued photo ID and their Social Security card.
CT Lottery Claims Dept.
15 Sterling Drive
Wallingford, CT 06492
For additional details, including locations of High-Tier Claim Centers, visit the Connecticut Lottery’s claim information page.
When are the Connecticut Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:30 p.m. daily.
- Lotto: 10:38 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
- Cash 5: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play3 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Day: 1:57 p.m. daily.
- Play4 Night: 10:29 p.m. daily.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Connecticut editor. You can send feedback using this form.
-
Sports14 minutes agoCommentary: World Cup shows MLS still needs to achieve major goals to grow the game
-
World22 minutes ago‘A concession to Zelenskyy’s ultimatum’: Ukraine’s triumph over Belarus
-
News44 minutes agoNative Americans celebrate victory at the Battle of Little Bighorn, 150 years later
-
New York2 hours agoHow a Global Researcher Lives on $110,000 in Long Island City
-
Los Angeles, Ca2 hours agoMass shooting at L.A. street takeover leaves 1 dead, 6 injured
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoOn the front lines of chronic absenteeism: What Detroit’s Health Hubs do to get kids to school
-
San Francisco, CA3 hours agoS.F. police arrest 20 at 300-person SoMa block party during Pride
-
Dallas, TX3 hours ago
CJ Goodwin announces retirement after 8 seasons with Cowboys
