York shares her experience at Life Care Center of Sierra Vista

By Liz York

The first question that is always asked about these last three months is, "What happened to you?"

Here is my story:

March 4 of this year (2018), I was helping plan a conference and also doing a fundraiser. On March 5, I passed two kidney stones that caused a major blockage on their way out. Sepsis toxins went through my body, attacking kidneys, heart and lungs. I was put into a medically induced coma for two weeks while doctors worked to save me. My family members were called, told I was hour-to-hour and that if they wanted to say goodbye, they should come right then.

After two weeks, the sepsis was beaten, and I woke up shocked to find I could not do anything for myself. Extensive rehab was needed to see how far I could recover.

I chose to move to Life Care [Center of] Sierra Vista [, Arizona,] for my rehab.

On my evaluation at Life Care, it was determined I was straight zeroes down the page. I couldn't do anything. I needed physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy plus work to refocus my mind and memory.

This battle was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I was fortunate to have great therapists who believed I could bounce back and worked as hard as I did in challenging me every day. All my muscles and my body as a whole needed to be completely retrained to work together again. It was painful and difficult, but with the therapists working with me, my reward was astronomical. I am leaving Life Care with a walker. Soon I will be walking unassisted.

I'll always remember the joy of the therapists as they clap and cheer when a patient stands up for the first time or takes their first steps.

Editor's note: York was able to return home with assistance on May 25.