ANNETTE BULLARD: Teamwork made rehab a success

When I was told that I had to stay at a rehabilitation center for eight weeks until my pacemaker healed and my right arm could be weight-bearing for using a walker again, I cried all the way. I held my breath as they rolled the gurney down the entrance to Wynfield Park Health and Rehab Center. I did not smell any foul odors and I finally stopped crying and opened my eyes.

Everybody smiled and spoke so friendly. My first experience was making sure it was understood I was a vegetarian. After a few glitches, my diet was worked out by head dietitian Tom, assistant Victor and the ladies in the kitchen.

After two gruelling weeks, I decided to start learning some names. My most touching experience was having Nurse Hall, who passed out the meds most mornings, feed me when my hand shook too much to get the food to my mouth. One night when I was having a painful neuropathy attack, Nurse Diane sang comfortingly, “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” Her voice was so soothing.

Due to a nerve disorder, I was unable to walk and could do very little more myself. In addition, I had to build up my upper body strength in order to be able to walk with a walker again. After daily workouts with Gary, Amanda and others, I finally was able to walk with a walker again. All the therapists worked hard to help me, but Gary worked untiringly and with compassion until I finally was walking again slowly.

I always made sure that I greeted everyone I met with a cheerful good morning or good afternoon. This caused most people to speak to me. Before I left, I knew everybody and everybody knew me. All in all, everybody worked as a team to get me well and back to normal.

ANNETTE BULLARD

Albany