Pamela's Story
As an attorney, Pamela Carter was accustomed to trials in her professional life. Personally, she weathered the challenge of Hurricane Ida which displaced her from her home. However, her grit would be tested further with a cancer diagnosis.
The battle was tough, and after her fourth chemotherapy treatment, Pamela lost sensation and mobility in her hand and legs – the side effects of her strong cancer medications. Determined to regain mobility, Pamela and her family decided on the specialized services of Northshore Rehabilitation Hospital.
Her first goal was to walk and regain use of her hands. The physician-led multi-disciplinary team put a plan together to get her back on her feet and caring for herself independently.
Pamela’s rehabilitation was multifaceted. In physical therapy (PT), her journey started in the parallel bars where she was initially able to walk just eight feet with the assistance of two staff members. To strengthen her legs, PT employed the stepper machine and resistance bands in therapy sessions. They focused on lifting her feet and strengthening her leg muscles in preparation for more independent walking. After a week, Pamela was ready for more. With the support of an overhead harness system and guidance from her therapist, Pamela practiced her walking technique. She graduated from the parallel bars and moved to walking in the halls with a rolling walker.
Her husband Jerome was by her side daily, cheering her on as she checked off each rehabilitation accomplishment. Her children also encouraged her with phone calls. Although living out of town, the kids lifted her spirits with those frequent check ins.
Meantime, occupational therapy (OT) focused on helping Pamela regain the feeling and mobility in her hands through sensory stimulation. They pushed her hands through rice and rubbed her fingers using different textures which engaged and stimulated her sensory nerves. OT also engaged Pamela in range of motion stretches to increase the flexibility and sensation in her hands and fingers. Her therapy team had Pam squeeze different substances through her fingers to help strengthen them. She also spent time threading beads and placing small pegs in holes to work on her fine motor skills.
To build her independence, Pamela was introduced to adaptive tools such as a long-handled sponge, sock aid and reacher. These extended her reach and helped her safely manage self-care activities such as bathing, dressing and picking up small items. With each session, she gained strength in her hands and her coordination improved.
While Pamela focused on getting stronger and reaching her mobility goals, her husband participated in the Care Partner Program, which taught him how to best assist Pam upon her return home.
After 16 days of inpatient rehabilitation, Pamela could walk 50 feet and manage four steps independently, as well as perform all self-care activities with supervision or just minimal assistance for balance. She was ready to return home.
Pam said her experience at Northshore was dynamic. “Coming here was one of the best decisions that my family and I have ever made.”
Pamela now looks forward to continuing her progress with outpatient therapy. Her new goal: walking even greater distances at her son’s upcoming college graduation.
To those facing similar situations, Pamela offers encouragement: “Don’t sell yourself short. You and your family deserve the opportunity to get better. Give yourself that chance. I’m so glad I did!”