Darlene's Story
Recently retired, Darlene Neese was still adjusting to her new schedule when the 70-year-old began experiencing shortness of breath. Concerned, her husband Gary drove her to Detroit Medical Center Huron Valley–Sinai Hospital in Commerce Township, Michigan, where she was diagnosed with pneumonia.
While being treated, Darlene developed vomiting and severe diarrhea. An abdominal x-ray revealed gas in the tissue of her abdominal wall and a small tear in her colon. She was intubated and placed on a ventilator. Doctors recommended surgery to treat the infection, remove part of her colon and create a colostomy.
After surgery, all attempts to remove Darlene from the ventilator failed. She underwent additional procedures, including removal of fluid from around her lungs and placement of a tracheostomy and feeding tube. She was given IV nutrition to support her recovery.
Five weeks later, Darlene’s condition had stabilized, but she couldn’t breathe on her own, walk or speak. Needing specialized care to liberate her from the ventilator and rebuild strength, she transferred to Select Specialty Hospital – Oakland.
When she arrived, a physician-led multidisciplinary team collaborated on a plan to help Darlene get back home to see her children and grandchildren.
Her pulmonologist and respiratory therapists began a series of breathing trials, gradually increasing her time off the ventilator while closely monitoring lung function – the turning point in her recovery coming when she took that first breath on her own. Each day, Darlene’s breathing improved until she no longer needed the ventilator.
At the same time, a speech-language pathologist monitored Darlene’s swallowing. Once she passed a special study that demonstrated she could swallow without aspirating, her IV nutrition was stopped, and she returned to a normal diet.
With each success, Darlene grew more confident.
“They pushed me to realize that I can do these steps toward recovery,” she said.
Severely weakened by her lengthy illness, Darlene worked hard in her physical and occupational therapy sessions to improve her strength, range of motion and balance. Her physical therapy team focused on leg-strengthening exercises, while occupational therapy helped improve her arm and core strength to aid in transferring from one location to another and to care for herself again. Gradually her ability to move her arms and legs improved, making it possible for her to sit in a bedside chair, work on balance and relearn basic tasks. Soon Darlene was standing with the rehab team and took her first shower in more than six weeks.
Throughout her four-week stay, Darlene praised the staff for being attentive to her needs. She also thanked her family for being a constant source of support and encouragement, visiting her every day and encouraging her to work hard. Although she was eager to be home with them, she was optimistic about transitioning to a skilled nursing facility to complete her rehabilitation. Before leaving, she shared a few words of advice for other patients.
“Believe in the power of prayer and God,” she said.