Because of Siskin, I can celebrate the holidays at home.

At 103 years of age, Cellie’s goal was to get home to Morning Pointe in Ooltewah for New Year’s Eve; and she did it! She “graduated” from Siskin Hospital on December 28th with a small smile for the associates who cheered for her. It was a far departure from how she arrived at Siskin Hospital.

According to Cellie’s physical therapist Ally Dunlay, PT, DPT, “Cellie was used to being very independent and having a mobility restriction was tough for her.” Ally continued,

“Physically, she was one of the most mobile post hip replacement patients I have ever had. She never complained of hip pain - ever.”

Perhaps her tolerance for pain came from her upbringing on a farm in Virginia, or maybe her parents and the farm instilled in her a drive to succeed.

That drive was evident when she left home at age 19 to live in Washington D.C. and attend Strayer Business School; even more so when she took a train to Seattle in December 1947 to work just north of Tokyo for the USO.

The team at Siskin Hospital witnessed her drive when Cellie was 100 years of age and came to Siskin following surgery for a broken hip. Her son, Jack, says that when she decided to put in the effort, she walked so much she impressed hospital associates.

This time was a bit different since, according to Ally, “When she first got to Siskin Hospital, Cellie was requiring supplemental oxygen and was only able to walk 75 feet before needing to sit and rest. Her oxygen levels would drop if we trialed her on room air.” After a brief return to Erlanger, Cellie began to improve tremendously, medically.

Feeling better, Cellie’s remarkable drive returned.

“Each day, she started to walk further,” Ally says. "She loved walking, and never complained of hip pain." Ally added that she sees a lot of hip fracture patients and pain often a huge barrier.

"Whenever I asked Cellie if her hip was hurting, she would say, "no pain, maybe a little discomfort."

"By the time Cellie graduated from Siskin Hospital, she was walking 300 feet with a walker and going up and down four steps all by herself without oxygen, and with a smile on her face," says Ally. "She always gave 100%."

Once more, we witnessed her drive.

Congratulations, Cellie! You did it, and we're so proud!