Mr. Block’s Triumphant Walk

When Mr. Block came to Kindred Hospital Cleveland, he only had one request for his attending physician. He wanted to walk out the front door on his own when he left.
 
At six feet tall, Mr. Block was admitted to Kindred Hospital weighing less than 95 pounds. He had undergone a colon cancer resection at the Cleveland Clinic and suffered from severe peritinitus, pneumonia, respiratory failure, sepsis, and necratizing faciatis, commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria.

But as his doctor always said, “He had a will to live.”

Mr. Block was a born fighter, having spent 40 years in the military as a fighter pilot and serving in the Korean War.

Immediately upon admission to Kindred October 23, Mr. Block’s doctor and the rehabilitation team began a treatment plan designed specifically for Mr. Block. He also received daily cardio and pulmonary treatments, wound care, IV antibiotics and nutrition from Kindred’s interdisciplinary team of caregivers, specialists and therapists.

Mr. Block’s family also worked tirelessly for his recovery. To help make his stay more comfortable, his wife and daughter decorated his room. His wife was able to stay with him in his room and meals were prepared for her as well. When Mr. Block was eventually moved down to the first floor Subacute Unit, his family lovingly placed a bird feeder outside his window.

While at Kindred Hospital, Mr. Block received the care he needed and the treatment plan worked. By January, he was ready to be discharged. He had regained his weight and was ready to go home, telling his doctor he looked forward to “walking to the post office” in his hometown.

On January 29, Mr. Block and his wife walked out of the front door as promised. Today, Mr. Block continues to stay in touch with his doctor and the other members of the Kindred Hospital Cleveland staff. His is one of the many success stories we see every day.