Carl's Story
Carl McMurray, 70, lives a quiet, independent life. He still works as a molder in a local factory and spends his free time outdoors gardening or fishing. Carl’s life took an unexpected turn when he started having trouble breathing and went to the emergency room at McLaren Flint Hospital in Flint, Michigan.
When Carl arrived, his oxygen levels were dangerously low and doctors intubated him to help him breathe. He was diagnosed with Legionella pneumonia and treated with antibiotics. He was given a tracheostomy - a surgically-made slit in his windpipe with a tube that connected to a ventilator – as well as a feeding tube. Carl’s kidneys also were failing and he required a special dialysis called continuous renal replacement therapy.
Like so many patients trying to overcome a serious lung infection, Carl struggled with confusion and excess mucus, which led to three lung irrigation procedures to help him breathe better.
Three weeks later, Carl’s condition had stabilized but he still could not breathe, talk, walk or eat on his own. One of Carl’s two sons arranged for him to be transferred to Select Specialty Hospital – Flint, a critical illness recovery hospital known for helping patients recover from ventilator dependence.
Shortly after Carl arrived, his physician-led, interdisciplinary team developed a treatment plan focused on helping him to regain his independence and return home.
Carl participated in breathing trials in which his respiratory team took him off the ventilator for increasing amounts of time each day and closely monitored his ability to breathe on his own. As that was underway, a speech-language pathologist connected a special valve to Carl’s tracheostomy tube that allowed for air to enter his nose and mouth and exit via the valve near his vocal cords, enabling him to speak again. The valves also aid patients in other ways, such as improving swallowing, managing secretions and restoring smell and taste by the way it allows air to enter the body.
In just 12 days, Carl reached an important milestone: he no longer needed the ventilator. One week after that, his tracheostomy tube was removed.
Carl demonstrated in a special study that he could swallow without aspirating and began eating soft, bite-sized textures and drinking thin liquids.
Meanwhile, physical and occupational therapy worked with him to regain his core and limb strength so he could walk and take care of himself again. His physical therapists focused on his leg muscles and balance. Two weeks into his stay at Select Specialty Hospital, and with his care team helping him, Carl stood for the first time in more than a month. From there he practiced transitioning from his bed to a chair, then progressed to taking steps between parallel bars, then walking with a walker.
Every day activities that were still a challenge for Carl – dressing, grooming, using a toilet or brushing his teeth – also became important therapy.
From day one, Carl was committed to his recovery, following the nurses’ and therapists’ instructions, knowing it would bring him closer to his goal.
“All of the staff really helped me, they were very kind,” he said. “Everyone was super focused on the direction of recovery.”
His sons and good friend Everett were a constant source of support and encouragement. So also was his faith, Carl said.
Thirty-two days after arriving at Select Specialty Hospital, Carl had regained his ability to breathe, talk, eat and walk on his own. As he transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility to continue regaining strength and independence, he offered advice to others facing similar challenges.
“Don’t give up. Fight,” he said. “Have faith in God and the people who care for you.”