After Heart Surgery and Weeks in Recovery, Fairen Walks Again
A life interrupted
Fairen Bard, 80, had always been strong and independent. He and his wife, Sharon, managed 31 acres of land with cattle and enjoyed traveling in their RV. When Fairen underwent a planned heart surgery at OSU Medical Center for an aortic root replacement and two bypass grafts, spending the next 22 days in intensive care was not part of the original plan.
During the procedure, complications caused severe bleeding and cardiogenic shock, a condition where the heart suddenly can’t pump enough blood. Doctors placed Fairen on ECMO, a machine that takes over heart and lung function, and CRRT, a type of dialysis, to support his kidneys. These interventions saved his life but left him extremely weak.
Once stabilized, Fairen transitioned to Select Specialty Hospital – Tulsa, a critical illness recovery hospital. There, a physician-led team developed a personalized treatment plan to help him regain his strength and independence.
Rebuilding strength, one goal at a time
When Fairen arrived, he was breathing on his own, a major milestone after ECMO and ventilator support. However, he still relied on a feeding tube for nutrition and could not move on his own, stand or walk. “My legs have always been strong,” Fairen said. “I cannot believe that you can lose so much muscle in such a short amount of time.”
From the start, nursing staff played a vital role. They monitored his surgical incisions, applied protective dressings, and repositioned him regularly to prevent pressure injuries. They also helped Fairen sit at the edge of the bed and stand safely, reinforcing therapy goals during daily rounding. “All of the nurses and the help were wonderful,” Fairen said.
Returning to a regular diet would require swallowing therapy. A speech-language pathologist performed a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), a test using a tiny camera to check swallowing safety. At first, Fairen could only manage soft, bite-sized foods and thickened liquids. To help him progress, therapists guided him through targeted exercises, such as swallowing hard to strengthen throat muscles and pressing his tongue against the roof of his mouth to improve control. These drills, combined with repeated FEES checks, helped him advance safely. Within days, his feeding tube was removed. After several weeks, he was enjoying a regular diet with thin liquids. “I was happy to drink regular water and eat what I wanted” he said.
Eating independently was a turning point for Fairen. “The first time I got out of bed and sat in a chair for a real meal—that was when I knew I was getting better,” he recalled.
Returning to a regular diet also allowed Fairen to begin rebuilding his strength. Physical therapists began with simple bed exercises to activate his legs and core. As he improved, they guided him through short hallway sessions where he practiced walking while holding onto a wheelchair for support. This allowed him to take steps safely while regaining balance and confidence.
Meanwhile, occupational therapy focused on upper body strength and self-care tasks. Fairen used resistance bands and light weights to restore function in his arms and hands. He also practiced brushing his teeth, getting dressed and transferring between surfaces.
Looking ahead
As Fairen prepared for discharge, he was able to stand and walk 15 feet in the hallway with moderate assistance. “The care was tremendous,” he said.
While Fairen had made strong progress, his next step was inpatient rehabilitation where he would continue to work on his strength and stamina.
His ultimate goal is simple: return home to Sharon and enjoy time together on their property. He plans to sell his cattle and spend more time traveling in their RV.
“It’s not the material things—it’s the love of the people that you know,” he said. “If it hadn’t been for the prayers of the people that care, I probably wouldn’t have made it.”