Susan's Story
For 70-year-old Susan Johnson, retirement was a well-deserved reward after a fulfilling career as a nurse case manager. She filled her days with church activities, antiquing and enjoying time with family. But Susan’s peaceful routine was upended when sudden left knee pain and instability led to a life-changing fall at home.
Susan was evaluated at a local hospital and diagnosed with a knee sprain. She spent the next few days utilizing the Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (RICE) treatment plan, but it was ineffective. Susan became confused and unable to function cognitively.
Susan’s husband, Carl, and her sister-in-law rushed her to Latrobe Hospital, where she underwent surgery to drain an abscess in her knee caused by septic arthritis, a severe joint infection.
After two weeks, Susan stabilized but was still experiencing ongoing severe knee pain. She transitioned to Select Specialty Hospital – Laurel Highlands because she knew their reputation and trusted the staff to support her recovery.
Shortly after arriving, Susan developed severe abdominal pain along with a significant drop in hemoglobin—the protein found in red blood cells—which is a sign of internal bleeding. She returned to Latrobe Hospital where tests revealed bleeding stomach ulcers and multiple internal infections in and around her abdominal organs. Two emergency surgeries were performed, and part of her pancreas and stomach were removed.
Ten days later, Susan returned to Select Specialty Hospital—this time in a more fragile condition. She required surgical drains, ventilator support and full assistance with all daily tasks. Susan also was experiencing post-operative delirium.
Despite the setbacks, Susan was determined to recover. “My biggest goals were to start caring for myself and walking,” Susan said. “I wanted to sustain my health and remain infection free.”
With a personalized care plan developed by a physician-led, multidisciplinary team, Susan began the long road back to independence. Nursing carefully monitored her healing surgical wounds. Respiratory therapy worked to strengthen her lungs through gradually increasing her time off the ventilator and in six days she was freed from the machine.
Meanwhile, Susan’s physical therapy team helped rebuild her strength, range of motion and balance. Therapy began with bed exercises, then progressed to seated therapy at the edge of the bed. In time, Susan was able to stand with the assistance of a mechanical lift and eventually with a wheeled walker and assistance.
At the same time, occupational therapy focused on restoring Susan’s ability to care for herself. She started with seated grooming and sponge baths before progressing to a full shower with assistance.
With each new achievement – feeding herself, dressing her upper body, walking, taking a shower and sitting at the sink to brush her teeth – Susan’s confidence grew. “I found my inner strength and pushed it,” Susan said. “In addition to the physical milestone, I got my wits and personality back.”
Susan’s family, friends and church community rejoiced in Susan’s accomplishments and the return of the person they know and love—especially Carl, who never left her side. “His words of encouragement are the only ones I remember before my surgeries: ‘You are a fighter!’ and ‘You come back to me,’” she said.
And she did.
After 11 weeks at Select Specialty Hospital, Susan had reached her goals. She could walk 20 to 30 feet with minimal help and independently use her wheelchair around the unit. She was managing all self-care independently, and was ready to transfer to a skilled nursing facility to continue her recovery.
“Select Specialty Hospital is the best place ever. You will never find a more compassionate group of people,” Susan said.
A person of strong faith, Susan also credited God and the prayers of her family, friends and community with her recovery—even her surgeon recounted her recovery from multi-system failure as, “a miracle.”
To others facing a similar challenge, Susan offered this advice: “Listen to your caregivers. Work as hard as you can and have faith that you can achieve your goals.”