Mr. and Mrs. John Day (John and Nancy) live in a modest home in San Angelo, Texas.  The ramp leading up to their front door gives away the fact that someone in that home needs assistance with mobility.  But that is no longer the case and I doubt the ramp will be used much anymore.  John is a brand-new man, thanks to the therapy he received while in the care of San Angelo Home Health.   His recovery story is so remarkable that I felt compelled to share it on our website in hopes others would be encouraged to ask their doctor about home health nursing and therapy services.

“When I grew up, in my generation, the general opinion of suicide was that people had to be crazy to take their own life. All it takes is that one moment of hopelessness. I understand how people can get to a point of taking their own life, they don’t have to be crazy.”  This was how my interview began with John.  Here he was giving me a starting point to put everything in context. His darkest hour was only a few short months ago after struggling with pain for the last 12 years – the last 5 spent in bed because moving was too painful.

John is no stranger to pain.  In the military he suffered a fracture of his third vertebrae. He’s had two major back surgeries and a knee replacement.  After being shot while hunting with a cousin he had surgery to repair the 6 holes in his colon and repair a cracked pelvis bone. His appendix was also removed as a result of the damage caused by the gunshot wound.  He suffered through pain and continued to work as a Drug and Alcohol Abuse counselor for many years.

For twelve years John was taking prescription pain medications, including Hydrocodone and Methadone – up to 12 a day for twelve years which began to affect his health, including slowing down his heart. He had cortisone shots all along his spine, enduring excruciating pain. Nothing was touching the pain he was experiencing.  Finally, he resorted to the only thing that gave him some relief, and that was to lay in bed.  So he did.  For five years, basically. Nancy was having to care for her elderly mother while trying to take care of John as well, with no relief in sight. John had become so helpless he could no longer feed himself.  It was at this time Nancy remembered someone mentioning Hospice care and the “failure to thrive” criteria which needed to be met for Hospice services to be rendered.  She was ready to call the doctor and request Hospice for John – even he had given up hope.

Then, thankfully, West Texas Rehab recommended Home Health and Therapy with San Angelo Home Health.  John shares, “When they [San Angelo Home Health] came to do the assessment, I fell while holding onto my walker.  I couldn’t even stand. I had been sent home by the rehabilitation facility here locally because they couldn’t assume the risk of me falling during my appointment.  I fell on my first appointment with them. Literally all I could do is lay down.”

As we continue to visit John excitedly shares,  “With every [therapy session] my will to live increased.  Monday of the 3rd week the physical therapist asked, “Are you ready to go for a walk outside?” I thought he was crazy!”.   “It is nothing short of a miracle”.  He further adds, “Hoss [Brett Scott] took one look at me and told me my sacroiliac joint was out.  He did some therapy and taught me some exercises – to try to get back in alignment.  He said, “Did you hear that?” and of course I didn’t hear it but it was my joint going back into position like it should be.”   Nancy adds, “I can do the therapy now, helping him stretch and do his exercises.”  They do the exercises daily, faithfully. Matter-of-factly John chimes in, “It’s a miracle!”

John is a walking miracle and a great example of how hope can be restored right along with wellness.

We talk a little longer, then John says, “I’m even thinking of going back to work as a counselor.” This from a man who was bed-ridden and had given up on life only months before.

Mission accomplished.

For more information please visit us at www.sanangelohomehealth.com ; or call and speak to a nurse at (325) 655-6600.