Overcoming Adversity & Finding Angel Wings

It was a normal day on the job when Johnny Farrow first noticed that something did not feel right. First his left leg started feeling weak, a few days later his fingers began tingling, and before long, he had excruciating nerve pain radiating through his legs and up into his back.

After a 10-hour emergency room visit, Johnny left with a diabetic neuropathy diagnosis, but soon returned to Erlanger as the pain grew worse and his feet began to go numb.  Doctors soon discovered that he was facing a rare and painful condition known as Guillain-Barre’ syndrome or GBS, where the body’s immune system attacks the nerves.

“The nerve pain was so bad that I would just walk the floors throughout the night, but after three days, I couldn’t even do that because it had paralyzed my legs,” said Johnny.

While the exact cause of GBS is not known, research shows that the majority of people had symptoms of an infection shortly before the onset of the condition. Johnny remembers having food poisoning two weeks before he first began to feel weakness in his legs, which may have been the catalyst.

After many days in the hospital receiving treatment and working to manage the nearly unbearable pain, it was time to choose a facility for inpatient physical rehabilitation.

“I’ve always heard good things about Siskin, and luckily I was able to get in within just a few days,” said Johnny.

Johnny made the short journey across the bridge connecting Erlanger to Siskin Hospital and immediately began working to regain his strength to be able to stand and walk without assistance.

“When Johnny first arrived to Siskin he couldn't get into a wheelchair without the help of two people and needed three people to help him stand,” said Alexis Boudavong, PT, DPT, one of the main clinicians on his case. “He never said no to anything we did in PT – from standing in the parallel bars, walking in the Lite Gait and Solo Step, the treadmill, or the flight of stairs, he would always say ‘let’s do it’.”

After a short return to Erlanger for further tests and additional medical treatment, Johnny was readmitted to Siskin Hospital and continued his rehabilitation journey. Each day he continued to get stronger, regaining more and more feeling in his legs and hands.

Johnny noted that the doctor allowing a home evaluation made him and his wife feel much more confident about returning home and many of his therapists’ suggestions have already been implemented to allow him to be as independent as possible.

 “I’m going home with a positive attitude and plan to continue therapy with Siskin Outpatient. Working with both PT and OT, I am able to do so much more for myself,” said Johnny. Regaining independence is many patients’ main goal, but for Johnny it is even more important as he serves as primary caregiver for his wife who is legally blind. “I’ve got to get better so I can take care of her.”

His level of perseverance and attitude toward his recovery made him well-known and loved throughout the Siskin Hospital staff, so much so that he received a going away party with a special guest all the way from Ireland. Stacy Bean, OT, one of his main occupational therapists, was on vacation when he was discharged, but made a point to join virtually and show her support.

“The amount of people who showed up to his discharge celebration is a testament to the type of person he is! It was such a blessing working with him and seeing his hard work pay off,” said Boudavong.

After three months of inpatient therapy, Johnny left Siskin Hospital being able to stand and walk with an assistive device, something that didn’t seem possible after his GBS diagnosis and severe onset of symptoms. Many tears were shed and cheers heard as he walked out of Siskin Hospital’s doors.

“I cannot say enough about Siskin Hospital and the way they have treated me,” said Johnny. “I told my doctor that Siskin should have a box on the job application that says you have angel wings, because everyone has been an angel to me.”

Johnny, we are so happy you were able to come to Siskin Hospital and proud of all the progress you made!