Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau puts heart into Fromanâ??s recovery

As someone who spent more than 30 years in the classroom and on the court as a basketball and volleyball coach, Mitchell Froman is no stranger to hard work and discipline.

So when his physician recommended inpatient therapy at Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, after his triple heart bypass surgery, Froman knew what he had to do.

"I wanted to go home as quickly as possible, so I knew I was going to have to work really hard to make that happen," said the 65-year-old former science and social studies teacher.

Froman's recovery had the additional challenge of radiculo-plexus neuropathy, a disorder that causes extreme muscle weakness in the legs. But with the help of his Life Care therapists, he was able to work around that to make excellent progress.

"We just did what we could while he was feeling good," said Josh Tolson, occupational therapist assistant. "I feel like he's done very well. His overall activity tolerance has improved, and he's able to be more independent in what he can do."

Froman praised Tolson and Darrell Hicks, physical therapist assistant, saying, "You have an excellent physical therapy department here."

"When I came in here, I could only walk a half lap around the track with a walker, and I had to stop to rest," Froman said. "Now, I'm able to walk three laps."

Hicks and Tolson used the Omnicycle^™ exercise machine and weights to help Froman with his gait, strength and endurance.

"He was always willing to work and ready to go," Hicks said. "He knew what he needed to do to get back home."

Froman returned home with his wife Sandra after only 21 days with Life Care and will continue his recovery with outpatient cardiac rehab therapy at a local hospital.