Soddy Daisy Double Pneumonia Survivor Treats Every Day As A Gift

  • Tuesday, November 25, 2014

This Thanksgiving season, Soddy Daisy resident Vicki Bolus and her husband John have a lot to be thankful for.

After contracting a rare strain of double pneumonia in February, Ms. Bolus was rushed from her physician’s office directly to the hospital.

Physicians told the family several times to be prepared if she passed away. However, after two months in the hospital, Ms. Bolus was off the ventilator and had a tracheostomy tube put in, which helped her breathe.

In March, she went to Life Care Center for Hixson for rehabilitation. 

“Everything was going well, and I was progressing toward my goals,” Ms. Bolus shared. “I was only two weeks away from going home. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, I knew something wasn’t right. I pressed my call light, and Jeff [Gadd], one of my nurses, checked on me. I don’t remember what happened, but I was told later that I was unconscious and was turning blue.”

Mr. Gadd and Rhonda Donald, another nurse, performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Ms. Bolus credits their efforts for saving her life.

The trach wound had not completely healed and had closed off Ms. Bolus’ air supply. She went back to the hospital, had surgery and had another trach placed in her windpipe by a specialist. Because of the setback, she had to start therapy all over again.

Ms. Bolus returned to Life Care Center of Hixson in June, her husband visiting every day.

“I had to learn to walk again and regain my balance, but with the encouragement of the staff, I was able to get on the road to recovery,” said Ms. Bolus. 

“Bailey [Gann], one of my nurses, always came in with a smile on her face and left with a smile on her face,” Bolus added. “She was always so cheerful and energetic. Ms. Bailey, Mr. Gadd, Ms. Donald, and Deborah [Gilbert, another nurse] were always kind and set my mind at ease. Therapy always worked me hard, but it was a good hard. After each session, I knew that I had made progress.”

Since she returned home in August, Ms. Bolus continues outpatient therapy at the facility and strengthening exercises at her house, and she and Mr. Bolus are returning to their normal routine.

“I have been adding things back into my life, with the help of my husband,” said Ms. Bolus. “We fold clothes together. We even made chicken casserole to thank all the friends who kept John fed during this long, arduous process.”

Mr. Bolus said, “Life Care Center of Hixson made me feel at home while we were there. They took really good care of my wife. We want to come back and volunteer soon.”

Ms. Bolus only has a few weeks left of outpatient therapy, just in time for the holidays.

“I thank God and the competent caregivers throughout this journey,” she said. “Appreciate people in your life; thank God for them, and treat every day as a gift because that is what it is.”

Life Care Center of Hixson, at 5798 Hixson Home Place, is one of 26 skilled nursing and rehab facilities in Tennessee operated or managed by Life Care Centers of America.

 

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