Activities director rehabs at Life Care Center of Hixson

Mae Petty is the activity director at Life Care Center of Hixson, Tennessee.

In August, Mae will celebrate her 30^th anniversary with Life Care. Everyone who knows her will attest that she is a dedicated and passionate employee who consistently exudes a Whatever It Takes And Then Some attitude. She has a compassionate heart to serve and is committed to meeting the patients’ needs first.

Mae has taken on many roles in the facility and has been a trailblazer and mentor for others. She has served as the secretary and treasurer for 16 years with the National Activities Association, and she fulfills many speaking and consulting commitments.

On Jan. 8, 2020, Mae underwent a total hip arthroplasty surgery for her hip. The plan was for her to have a seemingly normal procedure, as hip arthroplasty is now a very common and successful process. But Mae’s story was not so normal.

During the anesthesia process and hospital recovery period, Mae experienced adverse reactions and symptoms in the form of a severe headache, nausea and loss of appetite. Her situation escalated, and she was transferred emergently from Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga to Erlanger Hospital’s neuro ICU.

Mae had suffered from a neurological event and stayed in the hospital another five days.

When the facility team heard about Mae’s complications, the team immediately held a prayer meeting in the library on her behalf.

Some of Mae’s complications included seizures with MRI findings of occipital lobe ischemic strokes with mild hemorrhagic transformation, loss of vision and loss of memory.

Mae transferred to Life Care Center of Hixson as in inpatient on Jan. 16 and completed physical, occupational and speech therapies until she regained her function and ability to safely transition home with her husband and son on Jan. 30. She returned as an outpatient the next day for physical therapy to continue focus on strengthening, balance and gait training with interventions tailored to her left hip surgery.

Mae was able to successfully return to work as activity director and assume her leadership role here on March 2. She is continuing her outpatient therapy even as she works full time.

We are promised that God will not put more on us than we can handle as long as we rely on Him. I Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

God provided a way out for Mae! She has made a miraculous recovery that is evident to all that God has been faithful and helped her along the way.

“I have overcome this hurdle because therapy has encouraged, educated and pushed me to succeed,” Mae said. “They assisted me from a critical stage to home and return to work. The Hixson team never gave up on me. I am thankful I am surrounded by angels and people who care about me. I praise God! He is not through with me yet.”