Ann Hopper
On a warm summer day, 63-year-old Ann Hopper’s life took an unexpected turn. What began as a typical day at home ended with Ann being rushed to the emergency room, unresponsive. The vibrant grandmother, who had been living independently and working full-time, suddenly found herself intubated and admitted to Corewell Health Taylor Hospital.
Ann, a dedicated homeowner who cherished her role as a full-time grandmother, faced a challenging journey ahead. Her condition was critical, requiring ventilator support to breathe. She was unresponsive, unable to eat, and completely dependent on others for all her self-care activities.
As Ann’s condition stabilized, her family chose to transfer her to Vibra Hospital of Southeastern Michigan—Taylor Campus. They were impressed by the staff’s dedication during their tour of the facility and believed it would provide the best care for Ann’s recovery.
Vibra Hospital of Southeastern Michigan – Taylor Campus is a critical care hospital. Critical care hospitals like Vibra provide ICU-level care for an extended period of time, often helping patients wean off mechanical ventilators while beginning rehabilitative services designed to help these same patients regain some of their independence.
Upon admission to Vibra, Ann was in a fragile state. She was on ventilator support, unresponsive, and required a feeding tube for nutrition. She needed extensive wound care and was unable to perform any mobility or daily activities independently. However, as Ann began to regain consciousness, her charismatic personality and determined spirit became evident to everyone around her.
Ann’s journey at Vibra was intense and multifaceted. She worked tirelessly with a team of specialists, including physical, occupational, and speech therapists, as well as respiratory experts and wound care professionals. Despite experiencing anxiety related to her medical equipment and physical debility, Ann’s grateful attitude and perseverance shone through, inspiring the staff with her determination.
As days turned into weeks, Ann made remarkable progress. She gradually regained strength and endurance, celebrating significant milestones along the way. One of her most joyous achievements was regaining the ability to eat – savoring the simple pleasure of a cheeseburger – and to speak again. Her safety awareness improved, and she diligently applied the new compensatory strategies she learned for her activities of daily living.
Ann’s journey at Vibra Hospital was transformative. From being dependent on a ventilator and unresponsive, she progressed to a point where she could be considered for intensive inpatient rehabilitation.
Ann’s story is a testament to the power of determination and expert care. As she prepared to leave Vibra for the next phase of her recovery, she reflected on her experience. “The entire Vibra family impacted my recovery,” Ann shared, adding that she is “excited to return home and do as much as possible for myself.”
As Ann embarked on the next stage of her journey towards inpatient rehabilitation, she carried with her improved physical abilities, renewed strength, and a determination to make the most of every opportunity for recovery. Her goal of walking again and returning home served as a beacon of hope, guiding her through each step of her remarkable recovery.
