Charles's story
A self-described “regular dude,” 36-year-old Charles Smith is busy enough with his six kids and regular exercise, including basketball. But Charles is also highly active at work, assisting troubled teens prepare for entry into a juvenile detention facility.
He was at work when he suddenly lost his breath and needed to lie down. Charles was rushed to the hospital by ambulance where a CAT scan was performed.
Doctors shared the serious and life-threatening diagnosis: his aorta was split in half. The aorta is the main – and largest – artery that begins near the heart and provides the oxygen needed for the brain and body to function.
Charles was then flown by helicopter to Barnes-Jewish Hospital where he underwent immediate surgery. During his initial surgery, Charles suffered a cardiac event, but was resuscitated and brought back to life. When Charles awoke, he was told due to circulation being blocked in his left leg, he would need to have his leg amputated above the knee.
Initially upon hearing this shocking news, Charles did not want his leg amputated. However, after being told he would die if doctors didn’t perform the surgery, he bravely told doctors, “If that is what you have to do, then do it.”
Once stabilized following the surgeries, his doctors recommended a comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation program to build his strength and gain back his independence as an amputee. Charles said he chose SSM Health Rehabilitation Hospital – Bridgeton on the advice of his doctors.
“The hospital I was at before told me that this was the best hospital for the rehab,” Charles explained.
Upon admission, Charles was motivated and driven to get stronger each day. He was weak and completely dependent on the hospital care team for his mobility. Hospital staff used a Hoyer lift for Charles’ transfers, an apparatus that assisted staff with safely moving him from surface to surface. Charles had minimal use of his right arm and leg to assist with tasks, including activities of daily living, like showering, using the restroom and dressing.
The physician-led team at SSM Health Rehabilitation Hospital – Bridgeton worked with Charles to implement a personalized treatment plan. He had clear goals he wanted to attain by the end of his rehabilitation stay. “Try to get as much as possible back to a normal body,” Charles said. “And use a real toilet and get a real shower.”
His team of physical and occupational therapists focused on building strength and functionality in his arms, legs and core to assist with activities of daily living.
His physical therapy began with sit-to-stand exercises and time spent standing between the parallel bars to strengthen his legs and core muscles. Charles was focused and hard working, specifically with a sit-to-stand trainer that allowed him to grow comfortable with his balance, as well as build his endurance.
“I hated it, but it helped me progress,” Charles said about the sit-to-stand trainer. “I realized I have to balance differently and put my weight to one side since I have one leg. It showed me I can do it if I need to.”
During early sessions of physical therapy, Charles struggled to stand from a sitting position. Yet, his diligence paid off and by discharge, he was standing with just 60 pounds of assistance from the trainer.
Physical therapy exercises also helped Charles improve his core strength. With a stronger core that provided more balance, Charles was able to start using a slide board for transfers from surface to surface. The slide board allowed Charles to move from his wheelchair to the bed or while using the restroom. He required maximum assistance when he began using the slide board, but by discharge, only needed supervision when completing transfers. He also learned how to use the power wheelchair he received.
Improved strength not only helped with transferring, but also led to a turning point in Charles’ recovery when he moved his right arm on his own. “I lifted it up in front of me,” Charles described. “I moved my fingers and made a fist. Every day there was some type of progress that kept me going.”
Occupational therapy guided Charles through compensatory strategies and using adaptive equipment for his activities of daily living. He was also introduced to a new “best friend” – his reacher. The reacher, a grabbing tool that helped Charles with his dressing needs, greatly improved his independence.
In addition to therapists, Charles was thankful for his family during his rehabilitation stay.
Charles’ mantra of “Let’s get to work,” helped him achieve his goals and defined him according to his therapists who were continually impressed with his work ethic.
“My cousin was at the hospital the first week that I was in the hospital and helped feed me,” Charles explained. “My girlfriend came to all of the trainings.”
Charles knew he would have to continue his hard work after discharge. He planned to continue his rehabilitation as an outpatient.
After 16 days, he was discharged. He achieved his goal of mastering his wheelchair, taking a real shower and was able to complete his activities of daily living with only supervision.
Despite the complexities of his recovery, Charles’ motivation and determination helped him overcome his limitations and allowed him to return to his family and even discover a few things about how he wants to live the rest of his life.
“Take it day by day,” Charles said. “You can’t think too far ahead, because you are going to lose hope, because it is not going to move as fast as you want. Just look at the progress that you have each day.”