Velda's Recovery from Chronic Hypoxia With Thyroid Cancer
When Velda arrived at Kindred Hospital, she required respiratory care, wound care, and speech and physical therapy. After 56 days of working with her interdisciplinary care team, she was able to discharge to home.
A Patient Success Story from Kindred Hospital Santa Ana
Velda had thyroid cancer that spread to her lungs. Tumor-related airway narrowing and vocal cord paralysis caused serious breathing difficulty.
AT ADMISSION
Velda was hospitalized for shortness of breath and a chronic cough. She had chronic hypoxia (low oxygen), hypoxemic respiratory failure and difficulty swallowing. She required a tracheostomy and feeding tube.
TREATMENT AT KINDRED
Velda was transferred to Kindred Hospital Santa Ana for respiratory therapy, wound care, and speech and physical therapy. Her neck wound healed, and she learned to perform tracheostomy and feeding tube management at home. She progressed from requiring maximum assistance to walking 400 feet independently and climbing 15 stairs.
OUTCOME
Velda is a retired Marine veteran who served in Iraq. After 56 days of treatment, she was discharged home.
“The staff is excellent, and they really cared about my recovery,” Velda wrote in a Google review. “… While at Kindred, the Respiratory Therapists were my life savers.”
Learn more about: Respiratory Care
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