Cynthia: Full Independence Restored
Cynthia was a single mother who was raising her 11-year-old son. She was a team mom for her son’s football team and she was actively involved with her family and in her community.
Cynthia developed a decubitis ulcer on her left foot. She was hospitalized with osteomyelitis and was transferred to the short-term acute hospital for wound care and IV antibiotics. She also developed acute renal failure. Cynthia had a history of diabetes, and other medical issues. Cynthia was eventually transferred to Kindred Hospital Brea for further treatment of her wounds, pain management and IV antibiotic therapy. Cynthia has had several physicians working together to manage her medical needs.
Unfortunately Cynthia’s wound did not heal and so she was transferred to the short-term hospital again to have a below the knee amputation. Cynthia came back to Kindred to continue her surgical healing, pain management, and physical and occupational therapy. Cynthia made good progress with her healing with the help of the wound care she received. Cynthia made slow but steady progress with her rehabilitation.
She was eventually fitted with a prosthetic and began placing more weight on her leg. The physicians managed her pain so that she could improve with rehabilitation and began walking. Cynthia had a slow rehabilitation process and her insurance company initially wanted her to transfer to a skilled nursing center. The case manager advocated for the patient’s stay for a while longer so that Cynthia could return home with her son and mother. The stay was approved and Cynthia was eventually able to perform all her in-home activities of daily living.
She was able to return home with continued home health follow up. Cynthia recently contacted the hospital staff to inform them that she was close to returning to full independence.
“I will never forget the doctors, nurses and therapists that were so good to me and helped me so I could go home,” said Cynthia. “I am very grateful to everyone for all their help.”