Erik's Story
Before his stroke, Erik Fiely lived a life defined by motion. The 43-year-old husband and father of seven raced between work, home and his children’s activities with a steady rhythm he wouldn’t have traded for anything. Along with his wife, Kristy, he rarely missed a school or sports event while also working as a production manager. Busy was normal. Busy was good.
Then one evening, that rhythm stopped.
During a youth group event at Brick Street Tavern in Fort Recovery, Ohio, Erik collapsed without warning. Fellow leaders called 911 and emergency responders took him to Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater, Ohio. Scans showed a hemorrhagic stroke and he was flown via helicopter to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center for advanced care.
Imaging confirmed a brain bleed and surgeons performed a craniectomy, a procedure where part of Erik’s skull was temporarily removed to ease pressure and remove blood. Erik was also placed on a ventilator for breathing support and feeding tube for nutrition.
The stroke left Erik weak on his left side and struggling with sitting, standing and walking balance. Additionally, his short-term memory made completing basic tasks a challenge and oral coordination made communication and eating difficult. Erik also had vision problems, specifically with his depth perception.
After a month, Erik stabilized and was ready for the next stage of recovery. Erik and Kristy chose Select Medical Rehabilitation Hospital – Lutheran for its comprehensive, inpatient rehabilitation program.
Upon admission, his physician-led team of therapists, dietitians, pharmacists and nurses customized a treatment plan to Erik’s goals, specifically to strengthen his left side and improve his endurance. He required a lift mounted to the ceiling for all transfers, including moving from his bed to a wheelchair and needed assistance for daily living tasks, such as bathing and dressing.
Although he understood the challenges that lay ahead, Erik was determined to walk again and return to his family.
Though he was nervous and didn’t know what to expect when he arrived, the nursing staff comforted Erik during his first days at the hospital. They monitored vital signs, managed medications and taught energy-saving strategies so Erik could stay safe during therapy. He learned to spread essential tasks throughout his day – eating, bathing and grooming – so he could devote as much energy as possible in therapy.
Physical therapy began with small steps and focused on building Erik’s strength, improving balance and increasing his endurance. He sat in a chair to perform early exercises to combat fatigue and dizziness. Erik performed leg presses with resistance bands and seated marches to activate his hip muscles and gentle core work to improve posture. He eventually graduated to brief standing sessions with support from therapists inside parallel bars.
As Erik grew stronger, he practiced standing through sit-to-stand training. A sit-to-stand machine gently lifted him from sitting to standing so his legs could relearn how to support weight while staying safe. Erik’s therapists remained close to guide his posture and balance.
Occupational therapy focused on everyday tasks. To build the use of his hands, Erik squeezed and played with therapy putty. He performed arm pulls with resistance bands to build muscle in his shoulders and arms. Erik learned to use simple tools that made self-care safer while he regained strength. A long-handled sponge helped him wash without bending. A reacher allowed him to pick up clothing or objects from the floor. A dressing stick helped pull pants into place and a sock aid supported donning socks.
Speech therapy focused on vision exercises that supported attention and scanning. Therapists asked Erik to find letters or shapes on a worksheet and track words and symbols arranged from left to right. He also searched for objects placed on a table, including items on his left side to build strength. Erik also practiced oral motor exercises to enhance his communication skills. He pressed his lips together to create resistance and stuck his tongue out, up, down and side-to-side to build his range of motion. He also performed articulation exercises such as syllable drills, to improve his clarity of speech.
In addition to providing support and encouragement, Erik’s family joined in his therapy. Kathy participated in the hospital’s Care Partner Program, learning various therapeutic tasks, specifically around assisting in transfers and building Erik’s independence. He was supported not only by his family, but by his community too.
“Someone put together a meal train and the community signed up to make dinners for my family,” Erik explained. “I don’t think my wife bought groceries for a whole month, which is a big deal when you have seven kids."
Just a month after arriving at Select Medical Rehabilitation Hospital – Lutheran, Erik was ready to be discharged. While not walking on his own yet, he was able to complete activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing and grooming, with assistance.
After returning home for three months and continuing to show progress, Erik and Kathy, along with his doctors, felt another stay at Select Medical Rehabilitation Hospital – Lutheran would be beneficial as he continued to build his independence.
Erik’s physician-led team once again developed a rehabilitation plan to help achieve his next set of goals.
Mobility work increased with confidence. Erik progressed from his wheelchair to taking small steps. By the end of his second stay, he walked 150 feet with a cane and assistance. Erik also continued to improve his ability to perform daily activities and speech therapy continued to work on Erik’s communication and cognitive skills. His speech grew clearer as oral coordination improved. He communicated his needs and followed therapy instructions with greater ease.
Erik’s second stay at Select Medical Rehabilitation Hospital – Lutheran lasted 23 days and his strength, balance, vision and memory all further improved. He returned home with more independence and a clear plan for ongoing progress.
“The therapists here really helped me have the ability to reach my goals and set new ones too,” Erik said.
With plans to continue his therapy with home health, Erik looked forward to enjoying time with his family, spending evenings around a campfire and reconnecting with friends.