Paul's Story
Paul Secosky’s shortness of breath and coughing had gotten so severe that the 67-year-old retired electrician from Hopwood, Pennsylvania, made his way to a nearby hospital’s emergency room. Turns out, Paul was in respiratory failure and had an infection in one lung that led to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body has an extreme response to infection.
Because Paul, who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was struggling to breathe, his care team intubated him, connected him to a ventilator and moved him to intensive care. A chest tube was inserted to drain fluid from his lung.
Ten days later, Paul had improved enough that he no longer needed the ventilator and intensive care, but he was on high levels of oxygen that dropped significantly with any movement. He was too weak to walk or take care of himself. His physicians recommended that Paul regain his strength at Select Specialty Hospital – Laurel Highlights, a critical illness recovery hospital.
“I needed help with moving, dressing, a lot of things,” Paul said. “I would get short of breath with any activity. I was very weak.”
His goal at Select Specialty Hospital was “to return to my normal life” which includes gardening and shooting hoops.
A physician-led, interdisciplinary team worked with Paul toward that goal, primarily by improving his ability to breathe without supplemental oxygen and regain strength and stamina.
Early on at Select Specialty Hospital, Paul was seen by a cardiothoracic surgeon who “cleaned out my lung. I felt better and was able to make better progress.”
From there, respiratory therapists worked with Paul on breathing exercises and gradually he needed less oxygen. His chest tube was also removed.
Simultaneously – and spaced throughout the day to allow recovery time – Paul participated in physical and occupational therapy. He progressively built up his strength and endurance with frequent walks, climbing stairs and participating in activities of daily living such as showering and dressing.
Paul was malnourished, so his dietary team added supplements to help in his recovery. When they learned he loved chocolate, they added chocolate Ensure, puddings and high protein ice cream to his meal plan.
Throughout his stay, Paul’s brother and sister were by his side, encouraging him. He admits he didn’t enjoy therapy sessions, but knew he had to work hard to get well and he appreciated how the therapists took their time with him.
One month after admission, Paul was able to tolerate higher levels of therapy on lower levels of oxygen and was discharged to a rehabilitation hospital to continue his recovery.
He is now home, cooking, walking and working in his yard.
“Rehab has gotten me better,” he said. “The respiratory team is amazing.”
His sister, Beth, agreed. “I really can’t thank your organization enough for all of the ‘miracles’ the staff performed on a daily basis to bring him back to a healthy life.”
Because Paul, who has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was struggling to breathe, his care team intubated him, connected him to a ventilator and moved him to intensive care. A chest tube was inserted to drain fluid from his lung.
Ten days later, Paul had improved enough that he no longer needed the ventilator and intensive care, but he was on high levels of oxygen that dropped significantly with any movement. He was too weak to walk or take care of himself. His physicians recommended that Paul regain his strength at Select Specialty Hospital – Laurel Highlights, a critical illness recovery hospital.
“I needed help with moving, dressing, a lot of things,” Paul said. “I would get short of breath with any activity. I was very weak.”
His goal at Select Specialty Hospital was “to return to my normal life” which includes gardening and shooting hoops.
A physician-led, interdisciplinary team worked with Paul toward that goal, primarily by improving his ability to breathe without supplemental oxygen and regain strength and stamina.
Early on at Select Specialty Hospital, Paul was seen by a cardiothoracic surgeon who “cleaned out my lung. I felt better and was able to make better progress.”
From there, respiratory therapists worked with Paul on breathing exercises and gradually he needed less oxygen. His chest tube was also removed.
Simultaneously – and spaced throughout the day to allow recovery time – Paul participated in physical and occupational therapy. He progressively built up his strength and endurance with frequent walks, climbing stairs and participating in activities of daily living such as showering and dressing.
Paul was malnourished, so his dietary team added supplements to help in his recovery. When they learned he loved chocolate, they added chocolate Ensure, puddings and high protein ice cream to his meal plan.
Throughout his stay, Paul’s brother and sister were by his side, encouraging him. He admits he didn’t enjoy therapy sessions, but knew he had to work hard to get well and he appreciated how the therapists took their time with him.
One month after admission, Paul was able to tolerate higher levels of therapy on lower levels of oxygen and was discharged to a rehabilitation hospital to continue his recovery.
He is now home, cooking, walking and working in his yard.
“Rehab has gotten me better,” he said. “The respiratory team is amazing.”
His sister, Beth, agreed. “I really can’t thank your organization enough for all of the ‘miracles’ the staff performed on a daily basis to bring him back to a healthy life.”