LaVon's hip injury recovery story with GRHC Swing Bed program
LaVon Fritz, Lancaster
LaVon’s plans for the New Year didn’t quite include a trip to Grant Regional’s ER or an extended stay in the Swing Bed program. But today, LaVon is grateful for her local hospital and her team of caring professionals dedicated to helping her get stronger with the goal of returning home where she wants to be.
On January 13, Lancaster was hit with some wintery weather. LaVon was noticing out her window that her two bird feeders were iced over, and it was bothering her that her favorite birds to watch were not able to get seeds out. So, after her friends cleared the snow, she set out to take the bird feeders in the garage to thaw so that she could return them so the birds could eat.
“I knew that I had no business going outside that day in that weather,” admitted LaVon. “But I was bound and determined, and I did get the bird feeders to the garage. I remember feeling a little unsteady while clearing the snow in front of the garage and even felt myself fall back a little bit. But I told myself, do not fall, do not fall. Then I noticed some snow that was missed on the driveway and sidewalk, so I took the shovel and was going to shovel it off. This is when and where I went down. I knew right away the minute I tried to lift my leg and couldn’t, that I had probably broken my hip. I had my Life Alert around my wrist but didn’t think it would work outside, so I proceeded to work myself up onto to elbows and army crawl into the garage and up three steps into the house. Thank goodness I hadn’t latched either of those doors. Then I took my boots off and tried to reach for the phone. I still have a landline, but couldn’t quite reach it, so I used my left elbow and left leg to lift myself and pulled at the cord. I called my daughter Gale, and she called 9-1-1 for me.”
“Looking back at the past two weeks, I can’t say enough about the wonderful staff and excellent care I’ve received here,” explains LaVon. “My Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Binsfeld took great care of me and my surgery to repair my hip went very well. I am amazed that I haven’t experienced much pain at all. I think it has to do with my daily exercises I did at home prior to my fall.”
“I’m very impressed with LaVon’s progress while in our Swing Bed program,” says Shelly Taylor-Hampton, DPT. “She has the drive and motivation to return home and that is our goal each day to take steps to help her get there.”
Grant Regional’s Swing Bed program gives LaVon more time to recoup and recover before returning home. She receives individualized care including nutrition consultation and daily occupational and physical therapy to help her regain her strength and return to her normal function and independence. Her stay helps her to focus on her health, learn new ways to stay safe and continue her progress at home. This also allows her to be close to home so family can visit her.
“I was thinking to myself the other day, I’m looking forward to going home, but I will really miss the wonderful nurses and staff who take such great care of me. For now, I’m going to focus on the day when I can get back to my yard so I can enjoy gardening with my daughter.”
“Thank you, Grant Regional. I’m so thankful to everyone here.”