While recovering from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, Edward Bach felt the impact of the staff at NCLTAH.

For fifty years, Edward Bach has worked as a licensed plumber in Windsor, CO. When not dealing with clogged drains and leaky pipes, Edward enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his wife, kids, and six grandchildren.

One day at home, Edward, 67, began feeling nauseous and experiencing a backache. After admitting to the local acute care hospital, Edward was diagnosed with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.

After treatment at the short-term acute care hospital, Edward still required a high level of medical care. He chose to transfer to Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital. The long-term acute care hospital was close to his home, and his wife could visit daily.

At NCLTAH, Edward made great progress, fueled by his desire to get back to his prior level of function. In addition, the hospital staff made a major impact on him. “I really have enjoyed the physicians,” Edward said. “They are very friendly, spend a lot of time with me, and really put a personal touch on my care! And the nursing staff is always friendly, happy, and eager to help!”

Edward looks forward to the next stage of his recovery: inpatient rehab at Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital, then a return home. Edward is most excited about the prospect of going outside again and spending time with his grandkids.

Though he still has a long recovery ahead, Samuel is thrilled with the progress he’s made at NCLTAH.

Samuel Wier, 54, is a family man. For the last twelve years, he’s worked full-time at Vestas Blades Americas as a maintenance technician. His free time is spent with his wife and three daughters, going to movies and garden centers.

In the fall, Samuel began feeling ill with flu-like symptoms. Since then, he has been hospitalized, either at a short-term acute care hospital or at Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital. Samuel was diagnosed with MSSA pneumonia, osteomyelitis, and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. During this time, he underwent multiple surgeries to treat his complex diagnoses.

Samuel chose Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital to help him recover because he heard the success rate of patients was great. Another important factor was the hospital is close to home, as his wife didn’t want to drive far.

Though he still has a long recovery ahead, Samuel is thrilled with the progress he’s made at NCLTAH. He heralds a “fantastic teamwork environment” at the hospital that enabled his recovery. “It took the entire team to get me to where I am now!” he stated. “Dr. Masotti and Dr. Pearson have been so good to me. They have such great attitudes and have made my experience positive!”

Samuel is most excited to get back home to his family and dogs. His long-term goal is to return to work. But for now, Samuel is extremely ready to be home because he’s been away for nine months!

Majorie Gilbert credits her recovery to prayer, family support, and the healing environment at NCLTAH.

75-year-old Marjorie Gilbert spends her days caring for others in Arvada, CO. Four days a week, she works as a senior caregiver with Home Instead Senior Care. On a fifth day, she works as a nanny for a little girl. The rest of her time is filled with things she loves. Marjorie is a member of the Red Hat Society, attends a weekly bible study, makes greeting cards, knits, plays the keyboard and piano, and bakes. Her three grown children and her grandchildren live nearby, and Marjorie loves spending time with them

Those are the things that have kept Marjorie going after her car accident.

Marjorie was involved in a single-vehicle accident. Her car swerved off the road and into a ditch. Marjorie suffered serious injuries as a result of the crash, including a spontaneous intraparenchymal brain hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, and acute hypoxic respiratory failure.

It became clear during Marjorie’s initial hospitalization that she would need high-level medical care for an extended period of time. Her family began researching long-term acute care hospitals. That led them to Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital. They chose NCLTAH because of patient testimonials and a low nurse-to-patient ratio.

Eleven days after the accident, Marjorie admitted to NCLTAH and made great progress in her recovery. “Marjorie took such good care of herself prior to the accident, and stayed active, so she had reserve when this happened,” said Dr. Pearson, medical director at NCLTAH. “That is why she is recovering so well!”

Marjorie also credits her recovery to a lot of prayer and the involvement of family and friends, as well as the healing environment at NCLTAH.

“All the caregivers are so happy and always laughing,” Marjorie said with a smile. “Everyone is so positive! The PCTs and RNs are top notch and I wish I could take all of them home with me. They check on me all the time and meet all my needs!”

“Success is setting a goal and getting beyond that goal,” Marjorie stated, adding that she feels she succeeded at NCLTAH.

Upon completion of her stay, Marjorie discharged to Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital. The goal is to regain strength before going home. Marjorie can’t wait to get home and back to her normal life. Excited to see her family and friends again, Marjorie can’t wait to go on a picnic with them!

“A healthy and active lifestyle, faith, and a team effort is the path to recovery.”

After a staph infection turned into sepsis, Dan required high-level medical care, bringing him to NCLTAH.

On a Wednesday, Dan James, 38, had constipation. By Friday morning, Dan collapsed. He was transported to an emergency department and admitted to the hospital with sepsis.

Sepsis is an infection in the blood that affects millions of people worldwide each year. It can cause organs to shut down, blood clots, low blood pressure, and death.

Doctors found that Dan had a staph infection in 11 of his 12 major joints that led to sepsis. Dan and his doctors are still unclear on how he acquired this infection. However, staph is everywhere.

Treatment included antibiotics, multiple surgeries, countless tests, and several medications. Dan’s kidneys stopped working properly and he required dialysis. He was bedridden for three weeks in the hospital. He then transferred to Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital, requiring high-level medical care. “I cannot take care of myself,” thought Dan.

Dan’s father, Rick, and mother, Ada, were there every step of the way, constantly supporting and encouraging him. “You HAVE to go through this,” Rick told him. “We will go through this one step at a time.”

Dan attributes his recovery to the care of the hospital staff and his outstanding support system of family and friends. He also expressed gratitude for every improvement, every gain. Dan’s appreciative attitude aided him in exceeding each goal he was given. While his therapy was “really hard,” Dan trusted and built a strong relationship with his therapists. He knew how to find the balance to work through the pain while being safe.

Three weeks later, despite great progress, it wasn’t yet safe for Dan to return home. Dan transferred to Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital where he participated in an aggressive physical and occupational therapy regimen. Now able to care for himself, Dan has returned home. He continued working on his recovery through the outpatient therapy program at NCRH, focusing on increasing his stamina. He chose NCRH’s outpatient program because he knew he’d continue to progress there. He also trusted that they would keep him safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As he expected, Dan continued to progress with outpatient therapy. He no longer requires a front-wheel walker, now walking without any assistive device. “I love coming to the outpatient program here because I get to see my same favorite therapists and show them how far I’ve come!”

Dan attributed his recovery to owning his therapy and the “team effort” of his family and friends. Inspired by his experience, Dan plans to attend PTA school. He is excited to help others recover like the teams at NCLTAH and NCRH have helped him.

Jeanette Fraser’s goal was to return home for her granddaughter’s first birthday.

Jeanette Fraser is a 55-year-old occupational health nurse. She enjoys working out and lifting weights, photography, and hiking. Most of all, Jeanette enjoys spending time with her family. She seemed to be a perfectly healthy individual.

One day at her job, Jeanette began throwing up and experienced radiating chest pain. She went to the hospital where procedures revealed a duodenal diverticulum. Major complications from the procedure ensued, including a bile/pancreatic duct injury, pancreatic fistula, and multiple intra-abdominal and abdominal wall abscesses.

Facing a challenging road to recovery, Jeanette came to Northern Colorado Long Term Acute Hospital (NCLTAH). She chose NCLTAH because it was close to her home and her family could visit often.

Jeanette’s goal was to get home for her granddaughter’s first birthday. This was one of the main motivators for Jeanette during her recovery. The other motivation arrived from Australia. Jeanette’s daughter and two grandkids came from Australia and visited her daily.

While at NCLTAH, much of the staff made an impact on Jeanette. “The doctors were great at collaborating with my surgeon and neurologist,” she recalled. “The nursing staff was responsive. The case manager was awesome, making my experience flawless with appointments and discharge planning. The therapists helped me gain my strength and balance back so I could return home. They even let me choose my therapy activities, which made the experience better.”

Jeanette is excited to get back to her prior life — going out to dinner with her husband, getting back to work and driving. But most of all, it means spending time with her precious family. Proudly, Jeanette met her goal of returning home in time for her granddaughter’s first birthday!