Patients Age: 46-years-old
Admissions Date: 4/25/2018
Admitted From: NYU Langone Medical Center
Discharge Date: 9/4/2018
Discharged To: Home
Length of Stay: 128 days
Reason for Stay: Short Term Rehab
How did this patient hear about The Riverside? Hospital Social Worker

The journey continues…

Coach T’s progress has excelled past his doctor’s expectations. After having his Cardiac Ablation performed at NYU Langone Medical Center on June 29, 2018, the recovery process slowed down initially. Swelling of the lower extremities, with a buildup of fluid, created a slight setback. Under doctors’ orders, Coach T had to keep his legs elevated with limited fluid consumption. After reading the doctor’s orders, The Riverside team of therapists adjusted his therapy goals to focus on his breathing. Initially, when Coach T was admitted to the hospital, he suffered from having shortness of breath. He was being treated by our rehabilitation team to practice different techniques in monitoring his breathing. The rehabilitation department customized a new treatment plan for Coach T to focus on his breathing.

After the swelling to his lower extremities subsided, he was given permission by his doctors to restart his original therapy, which involved strengthening and conditioning. The minor setback with the swelling had turned into a positive. In coordination with Urban Zen, his occupational and physical therapists managed to retrain Coach T in different breathing techniques, and how to become self-aware of how to monitor his heart rate. These new skills gained were now being put into practice with intense therapy.

Coach T became involved in a unique Virtual Reality program designed by The Riverside’s very own occupational therapist, William. William would bring in his laptop along with virtual goggles which allowed Coach T to take his rehabilitation journey to the next level. This new program allowed Coach T to have an intense workout, focus on his breathing, and provide in his words, “The best work out I have ever experienced.” The Virtual Reality program enabled Coach T to use everything he was taught into practice. Coach T’s favorite program was climbing Mount Everest!

As of the 30th of August, Coach T’s progress is as follows. Upon admission to the Riverside community, Coach T’s ambulation status was limited to 75 feet with a two person minimal assist. At this time he is comfortably able to walk up 3 flights of stairs with no assistance, he experiences significantly less shortness of breath; as well he is able to walk from Riverside Drive to Broadway, this distance adds up to approximately a quarter of a mile! His weight was 490lb. With the help of his therapists and the incredible dietary team, he was able to lose close to 50lbs! His cardio rehabilitation has surpassed his doctor’s expected progress by miles! At the beginning of his journey he would perform arm curls of 10lbs; he currently can lift 50lbs!

Coach T will be discharged from The Riverside on the 4th of September. He is excited to rejoin his team immediately after discharge for the start of the upcoming season. In his words; “I’d call this a BIG WIN.”

We wish Coach T the best of luck in his upcoming season and continued good health moving forward.