The next part of my journey back to wellness began when I was transferred from UCSF to St. Mary's Acute Rehabilitation Unit. Ron had visited a couple rehab units before choosing the one at St. Mary's. It turned out to be an excellent decision.
As much as I credit the staff at UCSF for saving my life, the staff at St. Mary's brought me back to life. When I arrived there, my muscle weakness was so severe that the only thing I was really able to do was feed myself. At the beginning of my 15 day stay at St. Mary's, every time the nurses or therapists got me out of bed, my blood pressure would drop and I felt incredibly light headed. I honestly wondered if I would ever feel normal again. Even now, although I am doing so much better, I still wonder about that!
During my time at St. Mary's, I was treated and seen by very supportive physicians and a neuro-psychologist, incredibly skilled physical, occupational and speech therapists and cared for by amazingly compassionate nurses. I will never forget my first real shower since my whole hospital experience began. The nurse who wheeled me down to the shower room in a shower chair was tiny and completely unconcerned about getting wet. I had had bed baths, but it was heaven having my hair washed and feeling the water on my skin.
Every morning I was given a therapy schedule. Typically, I would have 45 minute sessions each of physical, occupational and speech therapy before lunch then second 45 minute sessions of physical and occupational therapies after lunch. There were rest periods scattered throughout the day and believe me I did take advantage of them. These therapy sessions were challenging and difficult. During the time that I was just lying in a hospital bed, my muscles had gone to waste. Waking them up and making them useful again has been painful and probably the most difficult thing I have ever done. Thank goodness for the therapists who challenged and encouraged every step of the way. Talk about tough love! I will never be able to thank them enough for bringing me back to life. Even though I was so anxious to leave rehab to go home, it was very emotional saying good-bye to the therapists that had become a part of my every day life - I still miss them.
As I said with UCSF, I hope you never NEED to be in an inpatient therapy facility, but if you do find yourself in circumstances that you do, please know that St. Mary's Medical Center Acute Rehabilitation Unit comes with my highest recommendation!
