Dwight's Story
After decades of hard work in apartment maintenance, Ermal “Dwight” Dykes hung up his tool belt for a well-deserved retirement. In the years since, he has enjoyed newfound time with his wife Missy and their family, hunting and staying active on their property in Halls, Tennessee.
But Dwight slowed down after a surgery to repair a fracture in his lower left leg and Missy observed that he seemed more tired than usual and short of breath. He also became confused and developed significant swelling in his left leg, gaining 40 pounds in just one month. Then one Saturday, after spending the whole day working outside on a new tractor, Dwight was so exhausted that he slept for the entire next day.
Alarmed by this as well as how much his breathing had worsened, Missy convinced him to see his doctor. When they arrived, Dwight’s oxygen levels were so low he was transported to the emergency room at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. There, doctors diagnosed him with acute respiratory failure.
Doctors created a surgical opening in Dwight’s windpipe, called a tracheostomy, and placed him on a ventilator to support his breathing. They also placed a feeding tube for nutrition. After 27 days in the hospital, Dwight stabilized but was severely weakened, had difficulty walking and was unable to feel or move his left arm.
Ready to focus on recovery, Dwight and Missy chose Select Specialty Hospital – North Knoxville, known for its success in helping patients recover from complex, critical illnesses. Shortly after arrival, Dwight’s physician-led multidisciplinary team developed a personalized treatment plan focused on helping him breathe on his own, regain mobility and improve sensation in his left arm.
Under the guidance of a pulmonologist, a physician specializing in respiratory-related conditions, the therapy team conducted breathing trials, gradually increasing Dwight’s time off the ventilator while closely monitoring his lung function. Every day, his breathing improved. Thirty-six days after Dwight was admitted, he was freed from the machine—a turning point in his recovery. Five days later, his tracheostomy was removed, marking another step forward.
Meantime, Dwight’s speech-language pathologist guided him through exercises to strengthen his throat muscles, preparing him to eat again. Within 12 days, a special study confirmed he could swallow without aspirating, and he started a diet of soft, bite-sized foods and thin liquids. Ten days after that, he returned to a regular diet.
Meanwhile, physical and occupational therapy teams worked together to rebuild Dwight’s strength, range of motion and balance. During sit-to-stand activities and early walking exercises, therapists supported Dwight on each side, helping him shift his weight and take steps. They also trained Missy on exercises and techniques to support Dwight’s care at home – everything from limb exercises and transfers to assistance with bathing, dressing and walking. Two weeks into his stay, Dwight was standing. Several weeks later, he took his first step.
“They encouraged me when I didn’t think I could do it,” said Dwight, describing that milestone moment.
Support from loved ones also played an important role. “I had lots of visits and calls from my family and friends,” Dwight said. “My wife Missy was here daily. She learned all my care so that I could come home.”
Three months after arriving, Dwight had met his recovery goals. He was breathing on his own and walking more than 30 feet with a walker. He had also regained some feeling in his left arm.
Dwight was strong enough to return to the comfort of his own home and plans to continue his progress with home health services. Reflecting on his journey, Dwight offered words of encouragement to others facing similar challenges, “Work hard and don’t give up.”