Grover's Story
Retired teacher Grover Thornhill spent his days enjoying time with his family in Mandeville. To say his wife Sandra and his six grandchildren kept him busy was an understatement. Grover also enjoyed working out at the gym.
One day, Grover started experiencing dizziness when standing. Alarmed, Grover visited his neurologist and was shocked when tests revealed that he had a dangerous curvature of his cervical spine (the neck region) requiring immediate surgery to prevent paralysis. Heeding his doctors, Grover moved quickly to undergo the necessary surgery to decompress his spine.
During the surgery Grover experienced complications. Blood collected on his spine, affecting his nerves. He woke up unable to use his arm or legs.
Following a second surgery, which was performed to address the complications and relieve growing spinal pressure, Grover was left with severe weakness, unable to walk or perform any self-care tasks. After eight days of recovery in the acute care hospital, Grover stabilized. His physicians recommended an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program to help him regain mobility and independence.
Grover and his family chose Northshore Rehabilitation Hospital.
Upon arriving at Northshore Rehabilitation Hospital, Grover immediately set a goal to gain back his strength and to “get up and moving.” His physician-led multi-disciplinary team put together a tailored plan that included physical and occupational therapy.
In physical therapy, his therapists built up his leg muscles with strength exercises, leg weights and the stepper machine. With these gains, they started Grover in the overhead track and harness to get him safely on his feet and practicing the motion of walking with assistance. They also employed an exoskeleton, a wearable robotic device which supports the patient and reteaches the brain and muscles how to work properly again.
“Life can change in the flash of a moment... don’t take any day for granted,” Grover reflected.
In addition, his occupational therapy (OT) team worked on his fine motor skills and exercised his hands and arms to strengthen them using therapy bands, an arm bike and therapy putty. Grover received special adaptive tools, such as a button hook, a reacher and larger eating utensils, which the therapist taught him how to use to get his pants on, button his shirt and become more independent with feeding himself, respectively.
As he began his recovery journey, Sandra and other members of his family were also involved and cheering him on every step of the way. Meanwhile, Sandra completed the hospital’s Care Partner Program in preparation for Grover’s return home.
After 24 days at Northshore, Grover was walking up to 800 feet with a rolling walker and supervision. Additionally, he was able to manage his self-care needs including showering, toileting and dressing with supervision for safety.
“These are the warmest and most caring people in the world,” Grover said of his care team.
He was ready to return home and looked forward to reuniting with his family and especially his grandkids. He planned to continue building strength through outpatient therapy.
As for advice to others facing a recovery journey, Grover exclaimed: “Think positive and keep moving forward!”