Charles' Story
Charles Brown remembers being at home with his family and walking into the bathroom. His memory stops there.
Until then, Charles had spent decades restoring historic homes in Oglebay, West Virginia, preserving the original beauty of those dwellings. At 65, the Adena, Ohio, carpenter was still taking on remodeling projects along with his passion, racing boats with his wife, Linda, and their family. Life was full of projects, and fun family gatherings.
When the always active Charles hit the floor, his family sprung to action. One son administered CPR while another family member called 911. Charles had hit his head and gone into cardiac arrest. His family called 911 and an ambulance rushed him to Harrison Community Hospital in Cadiz, Ohio. ER doctors said that CPR saved Charles’ life and while they were able to stabilize him, complexities of Charles’ symptoms required a transfer to Trinity Medical Center in Steubenville, Ohio, which had more advanced capabilities.
There, doctors performed a cardiac catheterization to check for blockages and a scan, the latter revealed abdominal compartment syndrome – a dangerous condition where pressure builds inside the abdomen. Surgeons performed an exploratory procedure to relieve the pressure.
Other issues started to cascade. Charles developed pneumonia and struggled to breathe. Doctors performed a tracheostomy, surgically inserting a tube in his neck and connecting it to a ventilator to help him breathe. Concurrently, they inserted a feeding tube into his stomach to deliver both nutrients and medication. Kidney failure followed and Charles’ medical team placed him on continuous dialysis through a temporary catheter. By the time he stabilized, Charles could not move, speak or eat on his own. But he made it through, and he was stable.
“It is the weirdest thing to be looking at your feet in bed and your brain is telling them to move, and nothing is happening,” Charles recalled.
Slowly, Charles began to improve and just over a month after he entered the hospital, he was ready for the next stage of recovery. Doctors recommended Select Specialty Hospital – Wheeling where he would have increased medical monitoring and healing time. Linda agreed, trusting their advice.
Upon admission, Charles was medically fragile and dependent on machines. His physician-led multidisciplinary team conducted a full assessment and tailored a treatment plan to restore Charles’ independence. The care team focused on specific goals, starting with breathing, then swallowing and eating, followed by mobility and self-care.
Respiratory therapists started by gradually reducing ventilator support until Charles could breathe on his own. They explained each step, helping him feel confident about the process, which included strengthening his respiratory muscles, improving his breathing control and supporting his airways. Six days after arriving, Charles was free of the ventilator. Two days later, his tracheostomy tube was removed and he was breathing on his own.
Speech-language pathologists introduced exercises to strengthen the muscles used for swallowing and speaking. Charles used a handheld device that provided resistance when he exhaled. Charles took a deep breath in and exhaled as forcefully as possible against the resistance to build his muscles. Charles practiced sounding out words with a speaking valve and worked on swallowing techniques. Two weeks after arriving, Charles passed the Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) Test. Passing the test allowed therapists to introduce minced and moist foods into his diet.
Dietitians worked with Charles and his speech therapists to find foods he enjoyed within his restrictions. That first real meal put a smile on his face and the first bite was even better than he had dreamed.
“My first meal was absolutely delicious,” Charles said. “I hadn’t had anything truly solid to eat in a long time.”
As his ability to swallow grew stronger, Charles soon advanced to a regular diet. That wasn’t the only function that was improving.
He was working hard with his physical and occupational therapists rebuilding strength and coordination. Early sessions involved sliding his heels along the bed to bend his knees, improving circulation and flexibility. He practiced sitting upright in bed and therapists encouraged him as he battled gout – a painful inflammatory arthritis caused by a buildup of acid crystals in his joints. While he was uncomfortable, regular exercise helps manage his pain by reducing his symptoms and improving his joint health.
As his strength and balance improved, therapists layered in more exercise to help Charles stand and take steps. Charles performed leg extensions and leg lifts while seated in a chair and heel-to-toe walking to improve his overall well-being.
By week three, Charles hit a milestone. He stood and walked two steps. It was a celebratory moment that happened on Linda’s birthday. It was a turning point for Charles.
“When I did my first two steps, I knew then I could get home and everything was going to be ok,” Charles said.
Nurses played a critical role. The monitored his pain levels, regularly checked his vital signs, administered his medication and educated him about his condition. RNs regularly explained his medications and what they were for, detailed their procedures and the equipment they used, and ensured Charles was well aware of where he stood on his path to recovery.
“The nursing staff didn’t mind coming in to help with all my needs and kept me smiling through a difficult situation,” Charles said.
Family support was constant. Linda visited daily and encouraging Charles. The couple’s community rallied around them, donating money for expenses, sending prayers and even helping with chores at the Brown’s home.
“The neighbors even mowed my grass,” Charles said. “I always keep my yard looking immaculate, and they stepped in to help.”
By discharge, Charles was breathing independently, eating a regular diet and walking 130 feet with a walker and minimal assistance. His memory had improved too and Charles could carry on conversations. He and his family were thankful for the care he received at Select Specialty Hospital and offered some advice.
“This is a good hospital,” Charles said. “Also, teach your family, kids and grandkids CPR. They may be the ones saving your life.”