Success Stories

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.”

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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.”

 

 

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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!”

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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.”

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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.

 

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He was admitted to Kindred Hospital to begin pulmonary and physical therapy and rehab. He had already weaned from the ventilator but was extremely debilitated and he worked hard to regain his mobility and independence. David also was still on a course of antibiotic therapy, which he completed before his discharge.

Before he left Kindred, David shared that he and his wife met when they were both in the Navy, and that he served from 1974 until 1996. David said that he served on two aircraft carriers – the USS Enterprise and the USS John F. Kennedy. After he retired from active duty he spent another 10 years in the reserves.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to living my life,” David said. “I’m hoping to get back to work, but hanging out with my wife and my granddaughter in the backyard pool sounds pretty good right now.”

David, on behalf of everyone on your care team and at Kindred, thank you for your service! We wish you all the best as you continue your recovery at home and hope that you’re able to get back to doing the things you love very soon.

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When she arrived at Kindred Hospital, her condition had been stabilized, but Kathy was still hooked up to the ventilator and she was very weak and unable to communicate on her own. Her care team developed a plan to wean her from the ventilator and begin a course of rehab in order for her to be able to discharge from Kindred and return to her home.

At first her progress was slow, but as Kathy regained her strength her recovery sped up, and within a few weeks she was able to wean completely from the ventilator. With the help of her speech therapist she was able to regain her voice and the ability to swallow. She also began to participate more actively in rehab therapy and started eating a regular diet.

"When I first arrived here I was so confused that I thought I was dead," Kathy said. "It wasn't until I started to come around that I realized what was happening - my fiancée and I are so thankful for the great care I received at Kindred and for the wonderful staff who helped me recover. Now I'm getting ready to go back home to my three children and my grandson - he's the love of my life!"

Kathy, all of us at Kindred are very proud to have played a part in your recovery. We wish you and your wonderful family a lifetime of health and happiness together.

 

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Wanda was extremely anxious when she arrived at Kindred and recalled how she felt; "I spent the first three nights praying because I didn't know if I would ever be able to be taken off the ventilator or even if I was going to live - I didn't want to go to sleep for fear of not waking up."

When Wanda finally did fall asleep, she was in for a surprise when she woke up; "I couldn't believe how good I felt! It was the first time that I felt hope."

After a few weeks Wanda was able to wean from the ventilator completely and had the tracheostomy tube removed. She was able to begin eating a regular diet and made great progress in physical therapy. When asked what she most looked forward to when she recovered completely she said; "Going back to work!"

Wanda said she felt great kinship with the staff at Kindred who cared for her as she herself is a caregiver. "After a lifetime in sales, from jewelry to real estate, I now care for people who need it the most. I help with housekeeping, cooking, bathing or simply providing companionship and friendship" Wanda said.

Wanda was discharged from Kindred Hospital to a rehab facility to complete her journey to recovery. Just before she left she shared the gratitude she felt for the care she received; "I really want the staff at Kindred to know how thankful I was to be here and to have received such great care - it's because of you and the grace of God that I have my life back."

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Her condition was delicate and it took many attempts and a slow approach, but Jessica is nearly weaned from the ventilator and able to speak again. She has begun to regain her strength through physical therapy and is almost ready to move on to the next level of care.

Jessica comes here by way of Pikeville, Kentucky, where she was born and raised. When asked what she most looks forward to when she leaves the hospital, she didn't hesitate; "that would definitely have to be spending time with my three grand kids."

While Jessica says there are many things that have kept her going and not giving up, the one thing that has really caused her to push on is her mom. Jessica's mother has leukemia and she wants to get home soon so she can care for her.

Jessica shared that "the staff at Kindred Hospital are just wonderful. Without the encouragement and care I received from my nurses, aides and respiratory therapists, I probably wouldn't be speaking now."

Jessica is looking forward to being able to transfer to a rehab facility soon to continue her recovery but shared that she will miss everyone here when she leaves.

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Once his condition stabilized he was transferred to Kindred Hospital to help him wean from the ventilator and begin physical therapy. Saul quickly made progress thanks to the care afforded by his multidisciplinary team and was able to breathe on his own again, no longer requiring the ventilator. He was able to have his tracheostomy and feeding tube removed, resume eating regular food, and gained enough strength and mobility with physical therapy to be able return home to his family in time for the holidays.

Saul couldn't wait to get home with his kids and shared that his 10 year old was asked by his teacher what he wanted for Christmas and his son replied; "the only thing I want is for my daddy to come home." Family is everything to Saul and is what drives him to succeed. Saul has been in the restaurant business since 1994 - first as an employee, and then through hard work and dedication, saving his money and learning how to cook, opened his first Mexican restaurant. He now owns five successful restaurants.

Saul shared that he was very thankful for care he received; "My experience was a very positive one. Everyone here treated me very well and I am just very happy to be going home.”

All of us at Kindred Hospital wish Saul all the best and hope that his health continues to improve and his businesses prosper!

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At the beginning of his stay at Kindred, Earl was very weak and unable to eat, which meant he required a feeding tube. He was also dependent on assistance for all his needs and mobility. Thanks to the great work from his care team soon was able to begin the weaning process and rehab therapy. His lung function recovered to where he was able to have the ventilator disconnected and then have the tracheostomy tube removed as well. Earl was also able to begin eating real food again and continued to get stronger.

This experience has made me think a lot about what led me to this point – and what I need to do once I’m out of the hospital to stay healthy” Earl said.  “Once I’m discharged my dream is to buy a cabin cruiser and run up and down the river in the summer, and work during the winter.”

Earl also shared his feelings for everyone on his care team; “I’m very grateful to everyone on staff here at Kindred and for everything they’ve done for me – thank you!”

 

All of us at Kindred wish you the best as you continue to recover, Earl! We hope your dreams come true and that you enjoy a long, healthy life.

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