Success Spotlight

Mikel was able to progress from needing maximum assistance for all his needs, to being able to stand, walk and reclaim his dignity and independence over the tasks of daily life.

Mikel was active in the community and enjoyed working out until he had to be admitted to a general hospital when he began to experience increasing weakness that led to several falls. He was diagnosed with cellulitis and several other conditions and he began to receive treatment before he transferred to a skilled nursing facility. Although he made a small amount of progress, Mikel was frustrated with the minimal rehabilitation he was receiving and felt that he would be able to recover more quickly with more intensive therapy. Having seen the high level of care and attention his aunt received at Southwestern Medical Center, Mikel requested to be transferred and was welcomed by a team of caregivers and therapists who developed a plan to help him return home. From the beginning, Mikel had a positive attitude and was highly motivated to recover. His therapist, Victor, didn’t hesitate to provide him with exercises to do in his room when he asked what he could do when he wasn’t in the gym. In just a few weeks with dedicated care from his team, Mikel progressed rapidly from needing maximum assistance for all his needs, to being able to stand, walk and reclaim his dignity and independence over the tasks of daily life.

“Southwestern is the best-kept secret in this area,” Mikel shared before he was discharged to return home with his wife. “There's no doubt in my mind there is no better place to be. When I arrived and met the staff I knew that I was in the right place. They never gave up on me – and always drove me to do more. The food was even good! I arrived on a Saturday, so individual therapy was not available. It meant a lot that Victor took the time to listen and understand my needs so I could recover more quickly.”

After spending three weeks in an ICU following a near-death experience, Mardale went from being totally bed ridden to overcoming her fear of going up and down the stairs in less than two weeks.

On May 9, 2023, Mardale went in for double bypass heart surgery in Oklahoma City when she suddenly became unresponsive on the operating table. 

“I heard the words, 'Code Blue.' They said I died,” said Mardale. 

She recalls being high above herself on the table and watching the medical team trying to revive her. “I saw my body raise up slightly off the bed and I looked around to see if my mother was there to take me home. They gave me one more chest compression and I returned to my body.  It wasn't my time to die."

Mardale would spend the next three weeks in the ICU, totally bed ridden, growing weaker and suffering from hallucinations.  On May 25, 2023, Mardale was brought from Oklahoma City to Southwestern Medical Center's Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit.  She worked diligently with Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy for three hours each day for the next 10 days until she had met the rehab goals.

Upon discharge, Mardale was able get herself in and out of bed, dress herself, take a shower, and walk over 300 feet to the gym using her walker. She even overcame her fear of going up and down the stairs.

“I couldn't have asked to have a nicer group of nurses. The therapists are so good there. They really make you work hard, but they have a purpose for it. They know what I needed in order to go back home safely.”