Life Care Center of Wichita helps pancreatic cancer patient return home

Carrie Lollis has overcome a lot.

Carrie is blind in her left eye and has a history of left shoulder limitations, and then she developed pancreatic cancer. She had to have extensive surgery to remove the cancer with a whipple procedure (removal of part of the pancreas, the duodenum, the gallbladder and the bile duct). This procedure typically has a high mortality rate and requires specialized medical supervision following in order for the patient to advance appropriately.

When Carrie came to Life Care Center of Wichita, Kansas, she required all three therapy disciplines. Physical therapy worked toward improvement in her large motor skills and walking abilities, and occupational therapy worked with her to increase her independence with her activities of daily living, such as grooming, dressing and bathing. Speech therapists worked on improving her swallow function and cognition.

Nursing and therapy worked closely together to ensure that Carrie was getting adequate nutrition. With this medical procedure, she required overnight tube feedings, and her blood sugars required increased medical management.

“Therapy helped build my strength back up,” Carrie shared. “They helped me with speech and memory and my walking. Some of the therapists were tough, but they all were kind and encouraging. I enjoyed my stay. The nursing staff was nice.”

Carrie met her goals and went home with home health and family assistance on April 22.

“We held phone conference calls with her daughter to provide education and resources to ensure a safe and sustainable discharge plan,” said Natalie Merten, physical therapist.