When Rachel Watson and her husband David came down with flu-like symptoms, they feared the worst, and a quick trip to the urgent care clinic in their hometown of Dunnellon, Florida confirmed it. They had COVID-19.
David recovered quickly, but Rachel continued to deteriorate. David and their kids worried about her labored breathing, and after nearly a week of no improvement, he called 911.
Paramedics rushed Rachel to HCA Florida West Marion Hospital to be put on an oxygen machine, but it quickly became clear she needed more intensive care. Because of the integration of HCA Florida Healthcare’s connected network, she could quickly and seamlessly transition to HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville a few hours away. Through severe complications, including her heart stopping five different times, the staff gave Rachel the highest level of coordinated treatment.
After more than three months fighting for her life, Rachel was finally healthy enough to be discharged. Though her fight was not over, she was ready to begin the rehabilitation process. As she left, the staff, who had been inspired by her courage, held a parade for her in the hallway. Their compassion showed through to the very last day.
At Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Ocala, Rachel spent nearly three weeks re-learning how to walk, talk and eat solid foods. Though she arrived at Encompass Health by wheelchair Rachel left on her own two feet, with the staff and her family shedding tears of joy.
Today, Rachel is back to her active life, and her family is joyful to have her home and healthy. Her journey, from HCA Florida West Marion Hospital to HCA Florida North Florida Hospital to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Ocala, was seamless because of access to advanced medical technology and dedicated care teams.
Rachel and her family will never forget what the staff did for them. “They could’ve easily given up. But they could tell my personality and my spunk. They knew I was going to make it. There was at no point where I didn’t have someone with me.”