Patient’s Age: 61-years-old
Admission Date: 12/27/2019
Admitted From: McFarland Hospital
Discharge Date: TBD
Discharged To: TBD
Length of Stay: TBD
Reason for Stay: Left leg amputation, predicated by right leg amputation
How did patient hear about Bethany Center for Rehabilitation and Healing? Recommendation from the hospital coupled with research by the patient and husband.


Details of Experience:
Packing her overnight bag to hit the open road with her husband, Shirlane B. tripped and fell on the floor. With severe circulation issues in her leg causing the fall, Shirlane was transferred to McFarland Hospital immediately for her healing to begin. Shirlane and her husband researched the different options presented to them and together, they chose Lebanon Center for Rehabilitation and Healing. Shirlane was admitted to Lebanon Center on December 27, 2019.

Upon admission, members of the interdisciplinary team evaluated Shirlane. The Social Services Director and Concierge Director welcomed Shirlane to the community and continued to check in on her throughout her stay. Unfortunately, on January 13, 2020, Shirlane admitted to St. Thomas Rutherford for complications with her left leg. On January 14, 2020, Shirlane received an amputation of her left leg, resulting in her being a bilateral amputee. When Shirlane returned to Lebanon Center on January 17, 2020, she was not in as much pain as before and had significant hope in her ability to recover. She shared, “Once therapy got me up, and in my wheelchair, it changed everything. I realized I could do this. I have plenty of life left to live, and it was about time that I started living it.”

She began participating in group activities, such as art expositions. To Shirlane, the goal of Shirlane walking again seemed distant, but the entire interdisciplinary team was focused on supporting Shirlane and assisting her in ambulating independently. Her progress in therapy was visible. The rehabilitation team created a regimen of strengthening exercises to help her build stability and stamina on both sides to prepare for her prosthetics. She worked diligently to prepare for that moment.

Shirlane, who has not stood on two legs in over a year, received her initial prosthetics and was able to stand and ambulate five steps. Katherine, her Occupational Therapist, shared she hadn’t seen a patient with the inner strength like Shirlane.

Although Shirlane has some challenges as she continues on her road to recovery, she is walking with assistance, is no longer in pain, and has high hopes for her future. She is able to participate in daily activities and improve her psycho-social well being. Shirlane stated, “The team here tried their best upon admission, but during that time, I wasn’t ready to receive the care they wanted to give. This has been an extraordinarily tiring process. There have been so many times I wanted to give up. If it weren’t for my husband, my God, and this team, I wouldn’t have made it this far.” Shirlane is taking everything one step at a time, but has her goals set and is looking only to the future. The Lebanon Center for Rehabilitation and Healing team is honored to continue supporting Shirlane during her rehabilitation and to be a part of her recovery journey.