Acute rehab for stroke patient - it's the last step before returning home

Physiatrist Harmeen Chawla, M.D., and physical therapist Wendi Hook assist stroke patient Dorothy Haggard, as she undergoes therapy with the Bioness L300 gait stimulation system at St. Anthonys Acute Rehabilitation Unit.

When Dorothy Haggard, 63, woke up at 6 a.m. Jan. 27, she felt dizzy. Suddenly, she couldnt move her arm . . . then her leg. Her whole right side felt numb.

My dad had four strokes, so I knew what was happening to me, Haggard said. My husband called 911 right away.

Haggard and her husband, Ronald, live in Hillsboro, atop a steep hill that was covered with ice that winter morning. A volunteer firefighter managed to climb the slope in his 4-wheel-drive pick-up truck and deliver Haggard to the ambulance (equipped with tire chains), waiting below. When rural road met paved highway, Haggard was transferred to a second ambulance (without tire chains) to complete her trip to St. Anthonys Medical Center. The entire ordeal took two and one-half hours.

Because time is a critical element in treating stroke patients, St. Anthonys stroke team was assembled and ready for Haggards arrival. St. Anthonys is one of only three hospitals in the St. Louis area and the only community hospital to be certified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center.

As soon as I arrived, they gave me a shot and x-rayed me about four times, Haggard said. I had a blood clot in my brain. I couldnt move anything at first; but the feeling in my face came back the next day. It took two weeks for the feeling to return to my leg; and two weeks after that I walked out of the hospital. I went from no feeling at all to crutches to cane to walking on my own it was amazing!

Haggard was admitted to St. Anthonys Acute Rehabilitation Unit, where she received therapy twice a day, six days a week, including gait therapy with the new Bioness L300 stimulation system. St. Anthonys Acute Rehab was the first in the region to offer both the L300 and H200 computerized systems, which are designed to stimulate and strengthen weakened leg or arm muscles.

When Dorothy came in, she had very limited movement in both her upper and lower extremities, said Harmeen Chawla, M.D., physiatrist in Acute Rehab. She couldnt even stand, initially, so we started using the stimulation system to help her muscles and nerves recover quickly. This really is the latest technology, and its wonderful. It can be very beneficial to patients who have nerve damage from stroke, brain injury or spinal injury.

St. Anthonys Acute Rehabilitation Unit has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) since 2005, and was singled out last year for exemplary status for offering a wide scope of patient services, extensive expertise and a warm and caring setting for rehabilitation.

Haggard said that her physical therapist, Wendi Hook, was part of the warm and caring setting. Wendi is the best therapist ever, Haggard said. She has the biggest heart in the world and she was right with me all the way, working with my leg. She said she put me next to the saddest people, so I could get them laughing.

Hook smiled and admitted it was true. We called Dorothy Giggles, because she was always upbeat and laughing, Hook said. One of the therapists even recorded Dorothys laugh on her cell phone! She made a remarkable recovery, partially due to the Bioness stimulation and partially due to the fact that she was not only determined, but also very receptive and open to suggestions. My goal always is to get every patient back to functioning as much as possible, so they can return home and into the community. It is very rewarding when were able to do that.

Haggard, who worked for 20 years as a custodian in the Kirkwood School District before retiring five years ago, admits the initial paralysis frightened her. The first time she moved her leg without even realizing she had done so she started crying. I kept hoping the feeling would come back, but you dont know, she said. It was scary, but I wouldnt let myself think about that. I tried to keep my spirits up and keep going strong.

Haggard, who has four grown children and six grandchildren, was discharged from the hospital Feb. 27, one month to the day after being admitted. Her right hand through her elbow remains numb; but she recently experienced feeling return from her elbow to her shoulder, so she remains hopeful. She continues to undergo therapy three times a week at St. Anthonys Sports and Therapy Center, located across the street from the medical center, and often stops in to visit her former caregivers.

Having a patient return to come see me, just to visit thats the best, Hook said. Thats the reason we do this job.

Dr. Chawla added, From the moment our patients enter the Stroke Center to the day they are discharged from Acute Rehab, we offer them the most advanced medical technology available and the most compassionate care possible. I consider our rehab unit a healing environment for our patients the last step before returning home.

Haggard is just happy to be home, where she enjoys being able to perform her own household chores and work in her own garden.

Ive always been really active and that was the longest Ive ever been in a hospital in my life, Haggard said. But I received 100 percent great care. Anyone who has a stroke, St. Anthonys is the best place to go, because they know what theyre doing.

For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550
or visit find a physician online.

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Acute rehab for stroke patient - it's the last step before returning home