Breathing Hope: A Long Journey To Recovery

By Sarah Miles

In late summer 2023, Van Greene had a cold, or so he thought. After a few days of not feeling well, he began experiencing breathing difficulties and struggled to catch his breath. Van decided to visit the Emergency Department at McLeod Health Seacoast, where his health rapidly declined.

“At that point, everything became foggy; I don’t remember anything once I entered the hospital,” Van explained.

He was quickly diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia, and his condition deteriorated further.

“The pneumonia progressed into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and septic shock. Both are high-mortality illnesses that lead to multiple organ failure,” explains Dr. Kevin Dineen, a Critical Care Physician with McLeod Health Seacoast.

ARDS is a life-threatening lung injury that allows fluid to leak into the lungs and keeps the lungs from filling with enough air, which means less oxygen reaches the bloodstream and deprives the organs of oxygen.

Admitted on August 31, 2023, Van was placed in a medically-induced coma, which meant he was put on a ventilator, underwent a tracheostomy and received a feeding tube. He spent the following two months in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under the care of Dr. Dineen.

Emerging from the coma in the ICU at McLeod Health Seacoast marked a significant milestone in Van's recovery journey. It did not take long for him to realize the long road ahead.

“I had never been sick or hospitalized; I was always on the go. In that moment, however, I found myself unable to eat, sit up, stand or walk," he reflected.

Van then began physical and occupational therapy in his ICU room. He worked with therapist Shelly Szabo for weeks before moving to the Progressive Care Unit. Ultimately, he would spend more than two months in the hospital.

“It’s really hard to be in the hospital for an extended time, so Shelly took me outside to feel the sunlight and the breeze, and we sat by the pond together. That moment gave me hope and strength, and made me ready to walk again,” recalled Van.

To be discharged from the hospital, Van had to reach specific goals. “Once I realized what was going on and what I needed to do to get out, I was ready.” Van finally returned home on November 3, 2023.

He recalls the moment when he learned he was being discharged, saying, “It was a relief. I was excited.” Van left the hospital in a wheelchair and began his outpatient therapy at McLeod Health Seacoast.

Outpatient physical therapist Lisa Swift, along with her supervisor Jessica Jackson, created a treatment plan for Van. The initial treatment plan focused on stretching, endurance and resistance training three times a week while carefully monitoring his oxygen levels.

Gradually, Van regained his strength, balance, and coordination, transitioning from a wheelchair to a walker for his physical therapy sessions. As he progressed, Lisa and Jessica adapted his treatment plan to incorporate aqua therapy.

“In the pool, he could work in a safe space and not worry about falling. The water also provided resistance training to help in his recovery,” explained Lisa.

With the support of his dedicated medical team and the love of his family, Van fought through the pain and uncertainty.

“Van recovered because of the dedication and work he put into it,” says Dr. Dineen.

“Van is such a great success story. I love to see him still so full of life considering the many challenges he has faced throughout his health journey,” says Shelly.