Jvonne's Story
Jvonne Belle had trouble breathing and visited Aiken Regional Hospital. She was examined and the medical team provided medication which would help clear the issue. Jvonne went home but a few days later, her breathing became worse and she returned to the emergency room instead of celebrating her birthday. Doctors were unable to pinpoint the cause of her illness and Jvonne was transferred to the Medical University of South Carolina for additional testing.
"When they scanned my lungs, they were white,” said the 33-year-old mom and make-up artist. Jvonne had been diagnosed with diffuse scleroderma, a condition that can result in the inflammation and thickening of skin over parts of the body, 10 years ago. Now, doctors discovered, she was suffering from lupus, an autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own organs and tissues. Unable to breathe or focus, Jvonne had a series of panic attacks. Doctors sedated her and inserted a tracheostomy tube in her throat and placed her on a ventilator where she would remain for three months.
Once medically stable, doctors said that she would need a specialized facility to continue the healing process and suggested Select Specialty Hospital – Augusta. “I was on a vent, a trach and couldn’t talk. I couldn’t walk and I was having sever panic attacks and anxiety. I also wasn’t able to sleep at night or get comfortable,” Jvonne said. After being admitted to Select, a physician-led team of expert nurses, therapists and clinical staff devised a care plan that would help Jvonne return home.
“My first night at Select I was able to relax,” she said. “It was a breath of fresh air. The staff was so nice and friendly.”
Strengthening Jvonne’s lungs was the first order of business. She worked with a respiratory therapist using deep breathing exercises and increasingly longer periods of time off the machine to improve her lung function. Within a week, Jvonne came off the ventilator and worked closely with a speech-language pathologist to regain her ability to speak. A tracheostomy cap was the first step, followed by swallowing and speaking exercises. As the muscles in her throat and lungs became stronger, the tracheostomy tube was removed.
Jvonne was able to see some light at the end of the tunnel, “I was finally able to talk again. I was able to enjoy my food….I felt better and was so motivated to get well.”
Getting well in a situation such as Jvonne’s can seem a daunting task to even the most determined person, so it helps to have a robust support system. “My mother never left my side,” Jvonne said. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her. My family and friends have been with me through all of this. I have had so many people reach out to me and encourage me.”
This encouragement, self-determination and the support of her care team kept Jvonne motivated throughout her physical and occupational therapy as well. “I definitely liked physical and occupational therapy,” she said. “They were so patient with me. They would tell me the plan and take their time with me. They were all so nice.” Jvonne’s goal in physical therapy had been to stand and walk again. To achieve this, she practiced simple exercises on the edge of her bed at first until she was strong enough to move on to resistance bands and ankle weights. Two weeks later she was standing with assistance and then walking the halls of Select, continuing to build her strength and endurance.
“I was eating and walking and able to get up and move around. I was so excited. Everything the staff was doing with me was working,” she recalled.
At this point, Jvonne looked to the next step in her journey — an inpatient rehabilitation facility.
As for her stay at Select, she called it a blessing in her life, “What a great place. I made so many connections and I look forward to coming back and thanking all of them. All of the staff in the hospital were so kind .... when I left they all came to say goodbye and wish me well. It was incredible.”