Sharon Lewis is returning home able to walk after a remarkable recovery at Life Care Center of Hixson, according to officials.
Ms. Lewis became ill from streptococcus pneumoniae, and the disease caused her immune system to weaken dramatically. She developed an infection called sepsis, which occurs when chemicals are released into the bloodstream to fight an infection and triggers an inflammatory response throughout the body.
She spent some time at Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga, and before she could return home, she needed to undergo rehabilitation.
Ms. Lewis came to Life Care Center of Hixson on Aug. 6 for physical and occupational therapies to help her regain strength. When she arrived, she needed help with most basic self-care tasks and could not sit up longer than 10 minutes. She required maximum assistance for all transfers, such as transferring from her wheelchair to her bed, and was unable to stand or walk.
“She was very motivated and worked very hard to achieve her success,” said Jill Schoolfield, physical therapist assistant.
Ms. Lewis met with physical therapists six days a week and occupational therapists five days a week to work on strengthening and therapeutic exercises. She used the NuStep recumbent cross-trainer to exercise and rebuild endurance and strength in her upper and lower body and the OmniCycle, a bicycle-like machine that “senses” varying levels of patient participation and provides powered assistance when needed. Through that she was able to retrain her muscles to do the everyday motions needed for standing, sitting, walking and self-care tasks, officials said.
“I came unable to stand or walk,” said Ms. Lewis. “The first day of therapy, I stood. The fourth day, I walked 60 feet.”
Ms. Lewis was able to return home on Aug. 26.
“She was willing to try new things and gave 100 percent every day, all while maintaining a positive attitude,” said Priscilla Clemons, occupational therapist.
For more information about Life Care Center of Hixson, call 423-842-0049. Life Care Center of Hixson, located at 5798 Hixson Home Place.