All in the Family
In late 2006, Elia Garcia underwent laparoscopic surgery at a Miami hospital. During the surgery, there were minor complications and a few days later, she required mechanical ventilation. Things went from bad to worse. She developed a serious ulcer, and continued to decline. The pain was intolerable, and it became evident that she would require a longer hospitalization.
Mrs. Garcia was transferred to Sister Emmanuel Hospital. It was here that she would receive a more specialized and interdisciplinary approach to meet her complex medical needs. Her husband & daughter never left her side, and they provided constant care & devotion. The entire family worked with the doctors, nurses, and therapists for recovery. There were ups and downs, & many obstacles. Getting off of the ventilator did not appear possible for the short-term. A meeting was held, & the family took her home on ventilator. They never gave up hope. The family received home ventilator training, and a successful discharge was accomplished.
After a few months at home, with the loving support of her family and home health professionals, Mrs. Garcia started to show signs of recovery. In fact, she made gigantic strides.
Within a few months she had returned to Sister Emmanuel to focus on the next phase of recovery. She was weaned from the ventilator, her trach removed, and her feeding tube was no longer required to sustain nutrition. In conjunction with medical, nursing and therapists care, she and her family were ready for home. She started to eat, and her life was returning to normal.
Mrs. Garcia remains thankful to the Sister Emmanuel team who helped her overcome challenges, and return to living a meaningful, purposeful life with her husband Mario and her daughter Elizabeth. She is once again enjoying all the things she did before; sewing, cooking, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. In early 2010, her daughter gave birth to her first grandson, Eric, and she was able to experience life as an Abuela and watch her daughter continue the family tradition.