Joe's Story
Joe Knight has been with his high school sweetheart, Denean, for over 40 years. They reside in Austintown, Ohio, and enjoy spending time with their family in the area.
The 58-year-old had not eaten in many days and was experiencing shortness of breath. Denean drove him to the Austintown Emergency Department where the couple was told Joe had contracted pneumonia. They were sent home with antibiotics.
The following Saturday, Joe called an ambulance with severe shortness of breath. The ride was a blur for him.
Joe was placed in a medically induced coma upon arrival to the hospital. He required intubation, and after several failed attempts at liberation, a tracheostomy for airway support and feeding tube were placed.
After a few weeks and two transfers at Austintown, Joe was ready for the next stage of recovery. Denean chose Select Specialty Hospital—Boardman.
Joe arrived dependent on a ventilator to breathe. He was also unable to walk, talk, move and eat without assistance. His goals were to liberate from the machine, get back to a normal diet and regain strength. A physician-led team, including nurses and therapists, created a treatment plan for success.
Respiratory therapists immediately began ventilator liberation protocols -- a series of breathing, chest exercises and gradual reduction of ventilator settings to increase lung stamina.
While Joe was unable to complete self-care activities, his nursing team ensured he was comfortable as they monitored vital signs and assisted with bathing and grooming needs.
Physical therapy worked alongside, deploying a mobility program that had Joe sitting in bed and transferring to a chair twice daily. Studies show that early movements can increase the chance of ventilator liberation.
As Joe’s strength and awareness improved, he was able to graduate to standing with assistance. He did not think he was ever going to stand again so this moment was monumental for Joe’s confidence and his ongoing motivation to keep working toward recovery.
This enabled the physical therapy team to introduce exercises that further improved Joe’s mobility, eventually leading him to walk with supervision.
Meanwhile, occupational therapists helped him relearn how to complete daily activities such as washing his face and brushing teeth.
Increased activity improved Joe’s breathing abilities and the ventilator was discontinued. This was another big milestone in Joe’s recovery journey.
Next, speech therapists retrained swallowing reflexes and led mouth-strengthening exercises. Once Joe passed a swallow study, he was able to begin the transition to a regular diet.
Denean was also by Joe’s side to provide Joe with daily words of encouragement and support.
After a month at Select Specialty Hospital, Joe reached all of his goals and was discharged to a rehabilitation facility to continue rebuilding his strength and stamina.
As he left, he was thrilled to know that he was one step closer to returning home so he could sit down in his own living room.
“Joe and I want to thank all the wonderful staff for his care,” Denean added.