Success Stories

Fortunately Edna started to stage a strong recovery and she was able to be taken off the ventilator before being transferred to Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill for ongoing care, respiratory therapy and rehabilitation.

Although Edna still had the breathing tube in place and required supplemental oxygen, she was started on the physical and occupational rehabilitation program shortly after her arrival. With help from her respiratory therapists and her entire team of caregivers, who supported and encouraged her to maintain a positive and determined attitude, Edna quickly started to make progress and went from being dependent on her caregivers for all her needs to being able to get up from bed, stand up and walk on her own. Her respiratory therapists liberated her from the breathing tube and she only needed supplemental oxygen to continue to support her recovery. “I am grateful that I came to Kindred,” Edna shared before she was discharged to return home to her husband and family. “I was very afraid at first – at the beginning I didn’t think that I would make it. The hardest part for me was not being able to see my family. I am very thankful for the help I received from my respiratory, therapy and nursing staff.”

His wife had to take him to the hospital where he was placed on a ventilator and remained until he was finally stabilized, and then transferred to Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill. At the beginning of his stay, James needed maximum assistance from his caregivers as he was still very weak and dependent on the ventilator. Although he experienced a few setbacks, he made steady progress and was able to be taken off the ventilator completely. He also made great strides toward a full recovery in the rehab gym with his therapists, who helped him go from being bedbound to walking with minimal assistance.

“I still have a long way to go but I wouldn’t be where I am without the staff at Kindred and my wife, Kari. Even though she was working full-time she still managed to come by twice a day,” James affirmed before he was discharged to continue his journey to recovery. “It was hard to juggle sometimes,” Kari shared. “But I’m very happy that he has improved so much – and James was very grateful that Kindred even let me bring James’ best friend, Sherman the cat, to come in for a visit – that was the best thing his team could have done for him as they knew how much he loves his cat and who, like me, can’t wait for James to come home soon!”

He became unconscious and had to be placed on a ventilator as his lungs failed. Tests revealed he was suffering from COVID-19 and he was fortunate that physicians were able to stabilize his condition. Martin was then transferred to Kindred Hospital Seattle First Hill to receive advanced respiratory therapy and rehabilitation.

The respiratory team immediately began therapy to reduce his dependence on the ventilator and he started to make steady progress until he was able to be weaned completely from the ventilator, needing only supplemental oxygen. Martin also made excellent progress with his physical and occupational therapists and was able to stand on his own and start walking with a rolling walker. He was cleared by his speech pathologist to start a regular diet and he also was very close to reclaiming his independence over daily activities by the time he was discharged to return home with his wife and continue recovering in a comfortable setting. “I didn’t know what happened to me until I woke up in the hospital with a breathing tube and hooked up to a ventilator,” recalled Martin. “At first I was in disbelief and it was very scary because so many people have died from this virus. But I was very motivated to get better and even though my wife couldn’t be at my side because of restrictions, she was always in contact and a constant support. Now I am so very happy to be going home.”