Phill: Back to the Garden

Phill loved working in his garden, but because of the severity of his pulmonary disease, he could not tolerate many day-to-day activities and he required the use of continuous oxygen.

His wife came home one day and found him very short of breath, weak and unable to move. She called 911 and he was taken to a local short-term acute care hospital where he was diagnosed with a heart attack.

The doctors debated about whether Phill could withstand surgery, but after a non-invasive procedure failed, they had no choice. He underwent open-heart surgery and progressed to the degree that he was discharged to a skilled nursing center. However, due to respiratory distress he was re-admitted to the short-term hospital five days later.

He was again discharged to a nursing center, but was there only 36 hours before having to return to the short-term hospital where he was so ill he was placed back on a ventilator. By this point Phill had severe swelling in his legs as well as pulmonary and cardiac disease.

A clinical liaison from Kindred Hospital Dayton met with Phill and his wife about a transfer to Kindred and informed him of what type of treatment and care he would be receiving. He was admitted on May 14, 2009.

At Kindred Hospital Dayton, Phill received aggressive management of his pulmonary/lung disease and heart failure. Dr. Rubio, a pulmonologist, closely monitored the status of his heart and lungs through the use of lab work, x-rays and heart and oxygen monitoring.

Phill was continued on high dose medication to remove the excess fluid from his body, and was given medications and oxygen to support his respiratory status. He was put on a machine at night to help provide extra oxygen to his body and worked closely with our respiratory, physical and occupational therapists to regain his previous level of functioning.

On June 5, Phill had progressed to the point that he only required oxygen at night. He was able to walk with the assistance of a walker and the fluid that was built up in his legs was gone. He was ready to be discharged and came home in time to begin harvesting the vegetables in his garden, which had been planted by his wife, son and daughter.

“I feel great, better than I have in a long time,” he said. “Kindred Hospital saved my life. If it wasn’t for Dr. Rubio and Kindred, I don’t think I’d be here today.”