Nancy Ross

After breaking her hip in a fall at home, Nancy Ross came to Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital to regain her independence.

Nancy Ross lived a very social life before her hospitalization. She was active with her church, played bridge, and hung out with her friends and neighbors. She spent as much time as possible with her two kids and four grandchildren.

Then one day, Nancy fell at home while getting dressed. She suffered a closed displaced subtrochanteric fracture of the left femur, a type of hip fracture. Nancy also suffered a left colles fracture, which is a break in the forearm. To repair the broken hip, Nancy underwent surgery.

After surgery, Nancy needed rehabilitation to regain her independent lifestyle. She chose Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital to help her achieve that goal. Some of Nancy’s friends had been patients in the past and loved the care they received.

Nancy’s recovery was fueled by her motivation to get home. Strong support from her kids, who called Nancy every day, also helped her healing.

The hospital staff also played a key role according to Nancy. “Everyone that works here is a team, and I am so thankful to have worked with all of them! The housekeepers especially get gold stars. They were always so helpful, talkative, and smiling!” [My therapists] were very competent and gave me the confidence to feel I will be okay when I discharge home.”

Nancy considers her stay a successful one.

“Success is knowing I am discharging home today and have been given all the “tricks” on how to do well at home alone,” Nancy stated. “The fact that I can transfer alone is success, especially with all my weight-bearing restrictions!”

Excited to get home, Nancy plans to take one day at a time. Her future goals are to get back to her prior life and drive again! Nancy has two quotes for life she wishes to share: “Find something good about every day!” and “If you have humor and you have faith, you make it in life!”

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Valerie Kline

Valerie Kline is using her Alinker walking bike again after recovering from COVID-19.

Valerie Kline lived an active life prior to her recent hospitalization. She worked as a full-time rehabilitation manager at an acute care hospital. Valerie, 62, enjoys cooking, reading, and bike riding on her recumbent trike. She uses an Alinker walking bike due to impaired mobility from multiple sclerosis. Valerie also loves spending time with her two sons and two granddaughters, traveling to historic places, and visiting monasteries.

One April day Valerie began to feel nauseous. A few days later, shortness of breath set in and she developed a fever. Valerie got progressively weaker to the point where she couldn’t move. She called an ambulance which transported her to the acute care hospital. Doctors diagnosed her with acute respiratory failure and administered a COVID-19 test.

The test came back positive.

After two weeks in the acute care hospital, Valerie healed enough to transition to a lower level of care. She chose Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital to help her transition home. Valerie was familiar with NCRH from visiting when the hospital opened in 2005. That visit impressed Valerie. She also knew some of the therapists working at NCRH, and her kids live in the area.

“I can’t think of one single complaint,” Valerie said of her experience at NCRH. “Everyone was very kind, caring, and attentive. [They have] great therapists that are highly experienced and kept me moving toward my goal of improved mobility to go home.”

One of the things that most impressed Valerie was the involvement of Brenda Simon, the hospital CEO. “Brenda took time to get know me and cared about my recovery,” Valerie recalled. “She was very open and I loved the strong presence she had in the hospital. She would make rounds through the rehab gym and hand out treats to the patients!”

Valerie believes there are several phases to her success, but the most important was returning to her active life. Her main goal for rehab was to transfer on-and-off her Alinker walking bike to walk again, which she achieved! Valerie’s belief in “seeing the good everywhere you go” helped fuel her recovery. Valerie has discharged home from NCRH and resumed working full-time.

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Ray Lafflam

After two years of unsuccessful treatment for back pain, Ray Lafflam underwent surgery, followed by rehab at NCRH.

For the last 22 years, Ray Lafflam has been enjoying retirement. He loves to go camping, make fruit wine, and do woodworking. Ray, 75, lives with his wife in a fifth wheel RV in Loveland, CO. For two years, he was president of his Winnebago club.

But the last two years have been difficult for Ray, as he struggled with chronic lower back pain. Conservative attempts at managing the pain failed, so Ray elected to have an L2-pelvis fusion. After surgery, Ray chose to come to Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital.

Ray chose NCRH for several reasons. Not only did the hospital come recommended, but he had a few friends that had been patients at NCRH and had a great experience. It also didn’t hurt that NCRH was close to the RV park where Ray lives.

Regardless of why Ray chose NCRH, he’s glad he did. He loves how the hospital provides three hours of therapy each day, stating “you won’t heal unless you work hard!”

Ray also praised the staff effusively.

“Dr. Whitek always listened to my health problems and did what he could to resolve them,” Ray shared. “The nurses have been great at giving me pain medications on a regular schedule. The therapists were excellent and I love how the therapy gym had such a fantastic assortment of machines and equipment.”

For Ray, success means he’s no longer hurting. After completing his home study, Ray discharged home from NCRH. He’s excited to be back in familiar surroundings with his wife and dog. And he can’t wait to go camping again, as it’s been more than two years since his last trip!

“I am so excited to get back to what retirement life should be like…and, of course, my wife’s cooking!”

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