Bobby's Story

Bobby Smith, 52, was experiencing flu-like symptoms and passed out in his bathroom. His wife, Kimberly, a nurse, called an ambulance and monitored him until EMTs got there.

When Bobby arrived at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital he was diagnosed with MRSA, a resistant bacterial infection, and a rare infection of the spine called osteomyelitis of the thoracic vertebrae which causes bones to weaken. He underwent spinal surgery and spent three weeks recovering in the ICU.

Stable but incredibly weak and unable to walk, Bobby needed extended recovery and healing time. He was transferred to Select Specialty Hospital – West Tennessee for specialized care.

On arrival, Bobby required an extended course of antibiotics to finish treating his infection and intensive rehabilitation to regain his ability to walk independently — crucial for returning to his daily routine and socializing with friends and family. To help him achieve that goal, a physician-led team of nurses, therapists and clinical staff began implementing a personalized treatment plan.

Physical therapy was instrumental in Bobby’s recovery. He began by sitting on the edge of his bed and going through range of motion exercises with his physical therapist. These movements prepared his body to begin more rigorous rehabilitation by loosening and strengthening muscles and increasing balance and endurance. Bobby stretched his arms and legs, practiced sitting up, moving between surfaces and using resistance bands and small weights for low-impact exercises. Seated marches improved the power in his legs until he was ready for standing trials with assistance — a major turning point in Bobby’s recovery.

While standing with his therapist, Bobby began balance training. Exercises such as standing on one leg, stepping side to side and stationary marching redeveloped Bobby’s ability to balance until he was finally able to take his first steps. “It was the most wonderful experience,” Bobby recalled.

Kimberly was a constant presence throughout his recovery. In addition to providing emotional and physical support, she also participated in therapy activities.

Before leaving Select Specialty Hospital, Bobby transitioned from using a walker to walking with only a back brace. This was a significant milestone – one step closer to returning home.

Bobby looked forward to reuniting with his dogs and resuming his daily walks to the store. Reflecting on his time at Select Specialty Hospital, Bobby said, “It was excellent. The staff showed true concern about their patients.”