For the past 18 years, Paul Grimmer has lived in Longmont, Colorado. Married for 45 years to the love of his life, Paul recently retired from owning a research company. He loves programming computers, oldies music, walking, going on drives, and going to the mountains. He’s interested in opening up a new research and development company in Texas.
But a recent hospitalization nearly put all of that to an end. Paul admited to a local acute care hospital, where he was diagnosed with sepsis, MSSA bacteremia, and an infected sacral wound. He also lives with end-stage renal disease and is on dialysis.
Paul transferred to Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital to continue advancing his recovery. His case manager at the acute care hospital recommended NCLTAH for excellent wound care and nursing and the ability to offer in-house dialysis.
“The nurses and PCTs have all been incredibly helpful, supportive, and knowledgeable,” Paul said about his experience at NCLTAH. “The therapy has been great, always willing to help and get me out of bed and into my chair.”
Paul made significant progress and looks forward to returning home with the ability to walk and drive again.
Noel Rath and his wife, Vicky, have been married for eight years. They live in Saint Francis, Kansas, where Noel works as a rancher and farm — a job he loves. Noel, 54, also loves being with his family and friends, including five kids and six grandkids.
Hospitalized for an emergent aortic dissection repair, Noel experienced complications, including respiratory failure and cardiac arrest. He had a tracheostomy placed and required a ventilator to breathe. Noel would need an extended hospitalization due to these complications.
Vicky began researching facilities for the next phase of Noel’s recovery, including Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital (NCLTAH). A tour of the facility with Kristin Klipp, RN, a marketing coordinator at NCLTAH, confirmed the many great things Vicky heard about the hospital. She knew that NCLTAH was the right place for Noel to heal.
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Retirement has been enjoyable for 82-year-old Paul Elder of Bozeman, Montana. Paul spends his days working in his yard, traveling, fly fishing, fixing things around the house, and spending time with his wife of 50 years. Paul is also a father to two daughters and a grandfather to four grandchildren.
Paul recently underwent a mitral valve repair at the recommendation of his physician, who diagnosed Paul with severe mitral regurgitation. This condition is a backflow of blood caused by failure of the heart’s mitral valve to close tightly and coronary artery disease.
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Luis Pagan moved to Fort Collins in 2005 with his significant other of 32 years and his two children. The 64-year-old loves woodworking, fixing electronics, hiking, and traveling.
One March day, Luis’s life dramatically changed when he began to feel weak and fell on the floor at home. Unable to get up, Luis was taken by ambulance to the acute care hospital. The day before, Luis had done a five-mile hike and felt fine.
It turned out that Luis had a knee infection which caused septic shock. Unfortunately, Luis experienced many complications during his initial hospitalization, including respiratory issues, blood clots, and renal failure.
Looking ahead to the next phase of his recovery, Luis spoke with Arba Boci, a clinical liaison at Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital (NCLTAH). Luis felt good about what they discussed and chose to transfer to NCLTAH.
“Everyone works together to help each other out,” Luis said about the NCLTAH, a critical care hospital. “It’s been such a great environment.”
Luis offered lots of praise for the NCLTAH staff, which significantly impacted him during his stay.
“I loved all the nurses, PCTs, and Dr. Pearson. They were incredible! Dr. Pearson was empathetic, compassionate, friendly, and always makes you feel like a friend and not just a patient. The CEO, Brenda Simon, was awesome and so personable. The PCTs, Dylan Seagren, Isaiah Parker, Erica Johnson, and Kamika Kieler, went above and beyond with caring for me. The nurses, Kelly Parkhouse and Katie Martin, have been great! They are so positive and have a great attitude. Amy Oestmann (OT) was incredible and helped me progress from having a lot of pain initially to getting more active.”
After several weeks, Luis transferred across campus to Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital.
Luis saw his family grow close as a result of his hospitalization and is excited to return home to them soon. He is particularly excited to go out to eat, cook (he loves making international cuisine), and, most of all, get back to hiking with his significant other.
Eight years ago, Andrew Pacheco sustained a spinal cord injury (T10-T12), resulting in paraplegia. Though now in a wheelchair, the 60-year-old from Pueblo continues to live an active life. Andrew works as a maintenance tech and enjoys fishing, car shows, and spending time with his brothers, son, and daughter.
Then, one day, Andrew fell out of his motorized wheelchair. He suffered fractures to his femur and his left tibia and fibula in the fall. In need of extended hospitalization, Andrew’s daughter began researching their options. She chose Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital for several reasons. First, the hospital was clean. Second, the large 6,000 sq. ft. therapy gym would benefit her father’s recovery. And the outcomes data was great, allowing her to feel confident in the care her Andrew would receive.
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Family has always been important to Joey Gonzalez. As a person with down syndrome, Joey’s family has always been there to support him. They live in Alliance, Nebraska, and Joey loves to spend time with his dad and four brothers. His mother passed away a year ago, and for many years prior, Joey helped care for her. Special Olympic sports are Joey’s passion in life. His favorites are bowling, basketball, and track.
When Joey began having difficulty breathing one winter day, his father, Tony, took him to the emergency room for evaluation. Joey was diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia. In the hospital, Joey required a ventilator and had a tracheostomy placed. His physicians prepared Tony for the worst.
“The doctors told me he wouldn’t make it,” Tony said with tears in his eyes.
But Joey had other plans. Despite the grim outlook communicated to his father, Joey pulled through.
“He’s a miracle,” Tony tells people.
With Joey stabilized, Tony and his family began preparing for Joey’s recovery. First, they met with Joey’s case manager at the acute care hospital and reviewed their options. After doing their due diligence, the family chose Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital for Joey. They felt confident in the quality of care offered at NCLTAH, and the location was perfect for Joey’s eventual return home.
As Joey’s stay at NCLTAH neared its conclusion, the family’s experience validated their decision. “The nurses and doctors were so generous and nice!” Tony reflected. “Dr. Pearson was a great advocate for Joey and made sure I could be a huge part of his care. The therapists were very good at their job, always encouraging Joey. And I loved the education I was given so I can take care of Joey at home!”
“Overall, this place is the best!” Tony added.
Joey couldn’t have been more excited as he prepared to return home. Looking forward to resuming a regular routine, Joey has one main goal: returning to the Special Olympic sports that he loves so much.
