Congratulations to our Inspiring Rehabilitation Story Contest Winner
Larry Hursh shares his inspiring rehabilitation story after going through several steps of chemotherapy.
"I had to follow a three step chemotherapy 
program as a preventative measure. Step one went very well with no discomfort or noticeable side effects. During the second step, I experienced increasing pain in my legs and some neuropathy in my hands and feet. Shortly after completing this stage of treatment, the pain was very high and I had trouble standing by myself. My wife agreed to take me to emergency room for help and evaluation. They found a combination of pain killers that corrected the pain problem. However, the neuropathy and muscle weakness were significant and they recommended that I be discharged to a rehabilitation center for therapy to address these problems."
program as a preventative measure. Step one went very well with no discomfort or noticeable side effects. During the second step, I experienced increasing pain in my legs and some neuropathy in my hands and feet. Shortly after completing this stage of treatment, the pain was very high and I had trouble standing by myself. My wife agreed to take me to emergency room for help and evaluation. They found a combination of pain killers that corrected the pain problem. However, the neuropathy and muscle weakness were significant and they recommended that I be discharged to a rehabilitation center for therapy to address these problems."The Center for Rehabilitation at Episcopal SeniorLife Communities was Larry's choice and it later proved that it was a very beneficial choice!
"My initial interview and rehabilitation, while sitting in a wheel chair, went reasonably well, and I was able to stand with assistance. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy medications were continuing to work on my nerves and muscles. It got to a point that I could no longer support myself for normal daily transfers to and from bed or for routine hygiene even with assistance. As this continued to increase, I reached a point where it was necessary to use a mechanical lift to transfer me from the bed to the wheelchair or portable commode and back."
In the midst of declining health, Larry turned to the motivation of family and staff:
"I was encouraged by all the therapist and staff members to continue to do as much physical movement, whenever and wherever possible, to maintain some range of motion and flexibility. The therapists, my wife, and other staff members made certain that I would attempt these movements and activities and they periodically re-evaluated me to see if I was still experiencing declining function."
After about two months, Larry's doctor turned the rehabilitation focus to strengthening his legs and ankles.
"Within a reasonable amount of time, Cara (my main physical therapist although they all played a significant role in my program) had me to a point where I was able to adequately stretch and nearly straighten my legs by my own action. I was also started on some other stretching and movement exercises for my legs and hands. This was only a precursor to the many other successes that I would experience during the next three to four months!"
Mr. Larry Hursh (center) pictured with therapists Lee (far left), Dylan (far right), and Cara (right of center), and wife Kathy (left of center).
After much hard work in the gym at The Center for Rehabilitation, Larry was able to stand again!
"I cannot tell you how great it felt to be able to stand after so many weeks of the bed or the wheelchair being my only options! I was so happy that all the nurses, aides and staff in my area commented on how big my smile was. I was confident that I would recover enough to be able to walk out with some assistance when it was time to leave. The therapists and staff were very supportive and we felt that it was something that I could accomplish with time and more specific additional exercises. Then, I was able to progress from walking between the parallel bars to walking with the aid of a walker. The standard type walker seemed to increase the feeling of neuropathy in my hands, but the trials with a platform style walker were much more comfortable."
With each success came a new hurdle, but with the help of the therapists at The Center for Rehabilitation, Larry was able to overcome them all!
"I had developed a drop-foot condition and that my feet tended to bump against each other as I tried to walk. We started additional exercises to strengthen the muscles to help keep my legs separated when walking. Also, it was time to consult with an orthotist to see if splints could lessen the difficulty being caused by the drop-foot. Both of these corrections were a great success and in a matter of a few weeks, I was able to walk several hundred feet at a time. I even graduated to doing some walking outdoors."
"I was very fortunate to be able to keep my promise and walk out with the aid of the platform walker, under my own power, when it was time for me to leave."
Larry's rehabilitation success story continues to this day:
"I am extremely happy to report that I am able to walk a high percentage of the time
without the use of even a cane. I do carry the cane for stability when out in crowds or on uneven terrain. I owe a great deal of my success to the significant therapy and support that I received from the entire staff, who became like members of my extended family due to my longer stay at The Center for Rehabilitation. My own prayers and those of my friends and The Episcopal Church Home community also helped me to achieve all of this!"
without the use of even a cane. I do carry the cane for stability when out in crowds or on uneven terrain. I owe a great deal of my success to the significant therapy and support that I received from the entire staff, who became like members of my extended family due to my longer stay at The Center for Rehabilitation. My own prayers and those of my friends and The Episcopal Church Home community also helped me to achieve all of this!"Larry's success is truly an example of Life. Inspired every day.
"The staff at The Center for Rehabilitation became like family." -Larry Hursh, graduate of The Center for Rehabilitation and Rehab Success Story winner
