Success Stories

A past kidney transplant recipient, Donnell had experienced respiratory failure due to COVID-19 requiring the placement of a ventilator, and he was also started on IV antibiotic treatments for infections. Donnell began to receive respiratory therapy and slowly started to make progress. With constant support from his family and caregivers, Donnell steadily improved and overcame several challenges along the way until he was able to be taken off the ventilator, needing only supplemental oxygen at night. Donnell also received nutritional support and rehab therapy and grew stronger day by day until he was able to be discharged to return home.

“Donnell is a fighter, and he has been one from an early age after experiencing kidney failure when he was only 15 years old,” shared his wife, Ashley. “He has overcome so many different challenges and even though the road has been long, another comeback doesn’t seem at all impossible. We can’t wait to get him home so he can see all his kids and family in person. For everything you’ve done to help him come home, we are very thankful and blessed.”

When she developed shortness of breath and a high fever she was tested and found to be positive for COVID-19. After a period of quarantine, she was admitted to a general hospital and her condition deteriorated rapidly, requiring her to be placed on a ventilator. She underwent numerous antiviral and antibiotic treatments until she was finally stabilized and could be transferred to Kindred Hospital Albuquerque. At first Krystal was highly anxious and struggled with her therapists and caregivers, but as her condition improved she became more engaged and cooperative and was able to be taken off the ventilator. Krystal then worked very hard with her physical and occupational therapists to meet her goal and return home.

“When I first got to Kindred I was told I would have to go to a rehab facility because I probably wouldn’t be ready to just go home,” “Kristal recalled. “I guess I proved everyone wrong! I pushed myself to my limits and I walked out of the hospital on my own and stronger than ever. I really appreciate my respiratory team and speech therapist for helping me get my voice back, and my physical and occupational therapists were amazing.”

Kathy also had endured abdominal surgery and had developed a complex pressure ulcer from prolonged bed rest due to her incapacity and loss of mobility. She came to Kindred Hospital Albuquerque after a hospitalization at another facility to receive physical and occupational therapy and advanced wound care.

Her care team worked diligently to help Kathy not only regain strength so she could participate more fully in her rehabilitation. Her nurses and therapists also helped Kathy develop a more positive outlook which fueled her desire to get better. “The staff here have motivated me to improve,” Kathy shared. “I not only can take more steps now than when I first arrived – I am now getting less and less tired when I do my walking therapy.”

Kathy also expressed gratitude for being able to attend a special event while still at Kindred: “I’m so glad I was able to attend my son’s wedding – this really is a great place to go for your healthcare.”

During her stay at Kindred, Kathy was able to make significant progress toward her recovery and was discharged to a skilled nursing facility to continue getting better before she can return home to her family. “I can’t wait to get back in the kitchen and cook my husband his favorite meal,” Kathy expressed.