Julie M
“When I arrived I didn’t know if I was going to pull through, but I did.”
Julie was at home when she began to feel extremely weak and couldn’t stand up. She was taken by ambulance to an acute care hospital and diagnosed with respiratory and end-stage kidney failure.
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She was placed on a ventilator and began to receive dialysis treatments until she was stable enough to transfer to Kindred Hospital Louisville. In addition to respiratory therapy, Julie received ongoing medical care and antibiotic therapy to resolve her infection and was established on a successful dialysis program. As she regained more strength on a daily basis, Julie applied herself to her rehab therapy sessions and steadily reclaimed her mobility and independence. Now breathing normally and able to stand up and beginning to walk, Julie’s goal was to return home and here is where her case manager, Cynthia, helped to make sure that became a reality. Working closely with Julie’s family, Cynthia helped them put into place the care she would need to continue her recovery, including transportation to and from her dialysis appointments and managing Julie’s in-home health and medical needs. Just before she was discharged, Julie, who is an accomplished illustrator, presented Cynthia with a framed picture she created for her called ‘Man on the Moon.’
“When I arrived I didn’t know if I was going to pull through, but I did and I’m so thankful for the care I received here,” Julie shared. “A special thank you to Cynthia for getting everything set up so I could go home and not to another facility – you are the best! I am happy to be going home with my family but am so going to miss all of my new friends that I have made while here at Kindred. Once I get home and hug everyone I want to enjoy the outdoors, I love the country and feeding the ducks at the park.”
Julia
“I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life. Thank you.”
Julia loved spending time with her family and grandchildren until she began to have increasing difficulty with her breathing and had to go to the hospital. She was found to be suffering from respiratory failure and had to be placed on the ventilator to support her lungs. She was also diagnosed with multiple medical complications and started on an IV antibiotic treatment to address the infections ravaging her body.
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After a long stay at a general hospital, Julia was transferred to Kindred Hospital Louisville to receive respiratory therapy, wound care and rehabilitation. When she first arrived she was completely dependent on her team of caregivers for all her needs and still relied on the ventilator to support her lungs. Her respiratory team immediately began to apply proven therapies and Julia started to make progress toward recovery. Although Julia was frustrated about not being able to speak at first, once she had been weaned from the ventilator her speech therapist helped her regain her voice, and she was very relieved to be able to communicate once more.
Julia also made excellent progress with her physical and occupational therapists who helped her regain the ability to do all the activities of daily living and to be able to get up from bed and walk with the aid of a walker. “The one thing I am looking forward to the most is being with my husband and my little dog,” Julia said. “I am most proud of myself for quitting smoking. My health was rocky before I got sick but now I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life. Thank you.”
John
Very Grateful to be Alive
Prior to becoming sick, John led an active lifestyle and was especially fond of spending time with his family and playing pool twice a week with his friends. When he suddenly stared experiencing difficulty breathing he went to the hospital and was diagnosed with acute respiratory and kidney failure. John had to be placed on a ventilator and started on numerous IC medications as well as dialysis to stabilize his condition and enable him to begin his recovery.
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After experiencing a minor complication and having a feeding tube placed, John was able to be transferred to Kindred Hospital Louisville where he could receive advanced respiratory therapy and begin his rehabilitation. On arrival John required full assistance from his team of caregivers and was fully dependent on the ventilator, but with diligent care and proven therapies, his respiratory therapists strengthened John’s lungs until he was able to be taken off artificial respiration, needing only supplemental oxygen.
Soon after this milestone, John was able to have the breathing tube removed and then was cleared by his speech therapist to begin to drink and eat once again, allowing for the feeding tube to be removed. John also made excellent progress with his rehab team – as his occupational therapist helped him regain his independence over the activities of daily life, and his physical therapists worked with John to strengthen his limbs and core muscles.
“I don’t remember anything up to when I finally regained consciousness and started getting better at Kindred,” John recalled. “I am very grateful to be alive. I am looking forward to getting home soon, spending time with my family, and I can’t wait to sit on my porch and drink a good cup of coffee.”
Linda
Wanting to get Home so I can be with my Husband Again
Linda suffered from severe anxiety that led to her developing acute respiratory failure, and she had to have a breathing tube placed. She was in and out of several facilities until she came to Kindred Hospital Louisville for continuation of respiratory treatments and to receive rehabilitation.
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At the beginning of her stay, Linda was dependent on the ventilator to support her breathing and on her caregivers for all her needs, but she started to make progress and with support from her team and family showed significant signs of recovery. She was eventually weaned from the ventilator and started working with her speech therapist to regain the ability to swallow safely, enabling her to begin drinking and eating a normal diet.
Needing only supplemental oxygen, Linda started to make big strides forward with her physical and occupational therapists and progressed to being able to get up from bed and walk with the aid of a walker. Linda was always motivated, engaged and cooperative and put her heart into her recovery so she could return home with her family and get back to the things she loves to do.
“I just want to get home so I can be with my husband again – he is the love of my life,” said Linda. “We’ve been married for 28 years and I can’t wait to get home and cook him a meal. And I’m also looking forward to drinking a cup of coffee again – hopefully after my next swallow evaluation. It’s my favorite drink!”
Jerry
Happy to be Back Home
Jerry came to Kindred Hospital to continue receiving treatment after being hospitalized for severe pulmonary illness, including pneumonia. He was receiving antibiotics through an IV drip and was weak and deconditioned after a lengthy stay in the hospital.
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At Kindred, Jerry’s team of therapists and nurses worked together to begin his rehabilitation with the goal to get him back home to be with his wife of 45 years, Joyce. Jerry made excellent progress and was soon able to participate fully in his rehab therapy sessions – getting stronger with each day.
“I’m sad I missed Valentine’s Day with my wife this year,” Jerry quipped. “But she forgave me – and I’m determined to make it up to her as soon as I am discharged with a fantastic night out on the town and dinner at our favorite restaurant.”
“We’re planning some trips as well to our favorite spots around the state,” Jerry said. “I’m very grateful to everyone here at Kindred who has helped me recover.”
Robin
Looking Forward to Being a Grandma Again
Robin was admitted to a general hospital after suffering severe respiratory failure. Her hospitalization was also complicated by kidney failure, low blood pressure and the need for blood transfusions.
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She arrived at Kindred Hospital with a tracheostomy tube and ventilator supporting her breathing and Robin was also dependent on a feeding tube to supply her nutrition. She was extremely debilitated and required assistance with all of her mobility and daily needs. Her team of respiratory and physical therapists together with her physicians developed a treatment and weaning plan and Robin began to make progress toward recovery.
Robin was soon able to wean completely from the ventilator and breathe on her own again. When the tracheostomy tube was removed a few days later, Robin was able to begin eating again. “I don’t remember much about what happened to me,” Robin said. “I am fortunate to have my daughters at my side to help me fill in the gaps. Now that I’m getting better I’m looking forward to seeing and spoiling my grandkids again and going camping and fishing – I love the outdoors!”
Robin, all of us at Kindred want to take this opportunity to wish you the best as you continue on your journey to recovery and hope that you’ll be able to return home very soon.