From Kaufman, Texas, 66-year-old Rhonda Cody enjoys playing bingo and fishing.

Rhonda’s journey began when she presented to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain and vomiting, where she was diagnosed with a bowel perforation requiring emergency surgery. During her recovery, her condition became more complex as she suffered two strokes, experienced seizures, and developed respiratory complications that required ventilator support.

After her hospital stay at an acute care hospital, Rhonda was recommended for specialized critical care at Mesquite Specialty Hospital (MSH). When she arrived, she was on a ventilator, had significant weakness on her left side, vision deficits, and was dependent on a feeding tube. She was also unable to walk and required a high level of medical support.

At MSH, Rhonda was enrolled in the hospital’s Joint Commission Certified Respiratory Failure Program, which played a critical role in successfully weaning her from the ventilator. The interdisciplinary care team closely managed her complex medical needs, including infection treatment and nutritional support, while beginning to rebuild her strength and endurance.

Prior to this hospitalization, Rhonda was fully independent, able to care for herself and manage all daily activities without assistance.

Once medically stabilized, she transitioned to Mesquite Rehabilitation Institute (MRI) for intensive rehabilitative care. There, she participated in physical, occupational, and speech therapies focused on improving mobility, restoring function, and increasing independence.

Today, Rhonda has made remarkable progress. She is now able to eat and drink on her own and has regained movement on her left side. After approximately six weeks of care between MSH and MRI, she is looking forward to continuing her recovery and returning to daily life, including caring for her mother.