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Wound Center Success Story

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The Healing Powers of Oxygen

When Joseph Gamache was involved in a serious motorcycle accident, his life changed forever. Suffering from critical injuries, Joseph was hospitalized and unconscious for several days before he finally awoke to learn that his left leg had been amputated.

After recovering from the accident, Joseph was fitted with a prosthetic leg and learned to walk with the assistance of a walker. His determination and hard work through therapy had paid off, but months later, things suddenly took a turn for the worse. A diabetic, Joseph’s blood sugar was often very low, causing him to experience lightheadedness. One day while home alone, Joseph collapsed in his bathroom. When his home care nurse arrived, she found him lying on the floor with his right foot lodged underneath a hot radiator.

After being rushed to the Hospital, Joseph learned he had suffered 3rd degree burns on his foot. His doctor also informed him that if he did not have two of his toes removed, it would result in necrosis (cell and tissue death). The two toes were amputated, and although Joseph could now only get around in a wheel chair, he was not willing to give up.

Eager to regain his mobility, Joseph asked his caregivers what options he had. His home care nurse told him about Morton Hospital’s Center for Wound Healing. He also learned about the Center’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), a successful treatment option for chronic wounds that enhances the body’s natural healing while strengthening the immune system.

Joseph made the decision to go to Morton Hospital, where he was cared for by Thomas Roodhouse, MD. Dr. Roodhouse suggested that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy was the best option, since diabetic wounds generally take longer to heal and are more difficult to treat.

Joseph visited the Center for Wound Healing five days a week for treatment in the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber. After six months, his foot was wound-free.

“The Hyperbaric Chamber was a life saver,” said Joseph. “The care I received was excellent, and I can’t say enough about my experience.”

The staff of the Wound Center felt overjoyed with Joseph’secovery, as they had formed a close bond with him during his lengthy treatment time.

“When Joseph first came to us, he was in a wheel chair,” said Kathleen Sylvia, RN, Nurse Manager. “After his treatment, Joseph came to visit, and he literally walked into the Center. It was such a wonderful thing to see. Our whole staff was in tears.”

Joseph now visits the Center for Wound Healing on a regular basis, and the staff say Joseph and his incredible journey to recovery will always be remembered.

To learn more about Morton Hospital’s Center for Wound Healing, please call (508) 828-7780.