Weakness turns to strength for Pendleton at The Westchester House

Patricia Pendleton was suffering from weakness due to her congestive heart failure and stage 4 kidney disease.

Weakness was just a temporary setback, however, thanks to the rehab team at The Westchester House in Chesterfield, Missouri. Pendleton arrived at the skilled nursing and rehab center on Oct. 20, 2017.

Pendleton shared the following letter:

Just a few short weeks ago, I was confined to my home, unable to walk a few short steps without the assistance of a walker. I couldn't stand for more than a few seconds, and breathing was labored while being sedentary. I couldn't leave my home because that required going up and down a mere six steps, and I couldn't do it. I could no longer get in or out of bed, so I would stay primarily in a recliner.

However, since admission to The Westchester House rehabilitation program, I'm relearning gross and fine motor strategies to promote strength, coordination and independence.

Therapy has helped me recognize and remember that slow and steady wins the race. Somewhere along the way to recovery I also learned self-discipline. It's strange, when I first wake up in the morning, I'm sore and trying desperately to find an excuse not to participate.

But with humor and a little prodding from the pros, we're off and running. The sessions are intense, but the feeling of satisfaction and success makes it all worthwhile.

Therapy has been a wonderful gift to me and has equipped me with lifelong strategies for improving my quality of life.

The staff has been nothing but professional and treated me with dignity, compassion and respect. The nurses and certified nursing assistants were like superheroes with multi-tasking as their superpower. Every call was answered, every need met. Even the support staff are great. Everyone is greeted with smiles and by name. That's therapeutic in itself.

Pendleton was able to return home on Dec. 3. She was able to walk, transfer and mostly take care of herself.