Anjanette's Story
As a full-time insurance agent and part-time DoorDash driver, Anjanette Sowers, 49, appreciated the hard-earned downtime she spent with her fiancé, son and father. However, amid her busy routine, Anjanette started having pain when urinating. Two weeks later, despite a round of prescription medication, the pain had grown unbearable. She also developed a rash, discomfort in her genitals and swelling in her right breast.
Knowing her health was in danger, Anjanette drove herself to Piedmont Newnan Hospital in Newnan, Georgia. When she arrived, doctors performed multiple tests before determining she was in acute respiratory failure due to necrotizing fasciitis, a rapidly spreading soft tissue infection that can cause sepsis, organ failure and even death if not treated aggressively.
“They started taking my blood pressure, and then they were putting me under,” Anjanette remembered. “I was petrified.”
With her ability to breathe failing, doctors quickly intubated Anjanette and placed her on a ventilator. She underwent two surgeries – one to remove tissue and the other to insert drainage tubes – and also needed a tracheostomy and a feeding tube. After 26 days in the hospital, she was stabilized but unable to communicate her needs, breathe, walk or eat on her own.
Acting on her doctor’s recommendation, Anjanette transferred to Select Specialty Hospital – Midtown Atlanta. There, a physician-led multidisciplinary team developed a personalized treatment plan to help her rebuild her strength and regain her independence so she could return home to her family.
Waking up at Select Specialty Hospital was scary, Anjanette recalls. “I didn't really know what had happened because I was in an induced coma the entire time I was at Piedmont Newnan hospital,” she said. “So the staff had to let me know what had happened and ease my anxiety and fear.”
Under the guidance of a pulmonologist, the respiratory therapy team conducted daily spontaneous breathing trials, gradually increasing their length. Each day Anjanette’s breathing improved. Eight days after arriving, she was liberated from the ventilator. Twelve days later, her tracheostomy was removed.
At the same time, a speech-language pathologist guided her through exercises to strengthen her throat muscles so she could eat again. Sixteen days into her stay, a special study confirmed she could swallow safely, and Anjanette started eating soft foods and drinking thin liquids. Within four days, she returned to a regular diet. Two weeks later, when she was consuming enough calories to support her recovery, her feeding tube was removed.
Anjanette’s physical and occupational therapy teams played an important role in helping her rebuild her strength, range of motion and balance. Physical therapy began with basic movements such as rolling and turning in bed. From there, she progressed to sitting at the edge of the bed, standing with a walker, marching in place and eventually walking. By the time she was discharged, she could walk 300 feet with supervision and navigate a flight of 10 stairs – a milestone in her recovery.
“I was petrified, but it was good,” she remembered.
Anjanette focused on regaining the skills needed to move around her home and complete everyday tasks. She began with simple exercises like shifting her weight from side to side. To build grip strength and fine motor control, she practiced pinching and placing clothespins. Her therapists also incorporated therapy band exercises to strengthen her arms and improve upper body endurance, which helped her to propel her wheelchair.
Anjanette’s recovery continued steadily, supported by the nursing staff who carefully managed her medications, and wound care specialists who regularly assessed and treated her wound. Their combined efforts led to significant improvement during her stay.
With her family unable to visit, Anjanette found her source of strength and comfort in her treatment team.
“They gave me courage and confidence,” she said. “My therapy team pushed me to do more and work harder so I could come home to my family.”
Thirty-four days after she arrived at Select Specialty Hospital, Anjanette had achieved her goals.
“You all have done such a great job, especially therapy and wound care,” she said. “I am off the ventilator and breathing on my own again. I am walking now, even trying to walk up and down stairs. I am eating regular food. And I’ve lost so much weight – not the ideal way, but it has helped.”
Anjanette discharged home and is now back at work. “I have never been happier. I am keeping my weight down and also have my diabetes under control. I am almost back to 100% and am committed to making sure I stay healthy for all those I love,” she said.
Reflecting on how far she had come, she credited the care team for what she called an excellent experience.
“Everyone has been really nice and supportive. I have gotten really close to some of the staff,” Anjanette said. Offering encouragement to others facing similar challenges, she added, “It may seem scary and impossible at first, but it will get better.”