Road to Recovery

Courtesy Mercy Medical Center, Linn County LIVING WELL Magazine

Gene (Bruce) Mesplay set off for an easy bike ride to the gas station, but ended up on a long road to health recovery. Bruce, 53, thought he simply took a nasty spill on his bike – but he soon learned the fall was the result of a massive stroke. He became completely debilitated, unable to speak clearly, walk or even use the restroom on his own.

Two years later, Bruce is walking, talking and performing daily functions on his own. But it took a multidisciplinary approach with a team of experts at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids to get him there, including a MercyCare healthcare provider, a Mercy home care nurse, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and a personal trainer.

Bruce had the stroke May 2009 in DeWitt, IA, and received care there for the first three months. His father died of a stroke at age 64, so Bruce’s family history put him at a higher risk. Additional health risks included high cholesterol, high blood pressure, anemia, acid reflux and his inattention to taking care of his diabetes. A former truck driver, Bruce now is on disability.

After his release from inpatient care, Bruce tried living alone – but just one night proved he wasn’t ready for that. So, his mother, Emma Jo, welcomed Bruce into her Cedar Rapids condo and arranged for her MercyCare Marion healthcare provider, Jessica Quinn, PA-C, to take him as a patient.

The initial plan was for him to remain in his mom’s condo with help from the Mercy Home Care team – a nurse, physical therapist and occupational therapist. At the team’s first visit, they advised Jessica Quinn that Bruce needed more extensive care. She coordinated his admission to Mercy’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Center, ironically then under the medical direction of her physician husband, Dr. Tim Quinn.

“Having both Jess and Tim Quinn caring for Bruce was magnificent,” says Emma Jo. “They care. It’s not a job about money. They care about people.”

While Emma Jo gives all the credit to the Mercy team, Jessica Quinn points out, “The support from Bruce’s mom and sister made a huge difference for him. We wouldn’t always have great outcomes without this level of family involvement.”

Dr. Tim Quinn agrees, saying, “It was clear from day one of Bruce’s admission to inpatient rehabilitation that we were dealing with a family that was deeply involved and dedicated to his improvement. It was inspiring.” In addition to the loving help of his mother, Bruce’s sister, Myra (known as Sissy), she makes sure he gets out on the weekends and encourages his independence.

Bruce stayed at Mercy for three months receiving extensive therapies. He notes, “I can’t say enough about the complete Mercy team, from the people who scrub the floors all the way to the top.”

Still, a year and a half after the stroke, Bruce relied on a wheelchair for mobility.  Chauffeured by Emma Jo, Bruce became a regular visitor to Mercy Health Plaza to receive occupational and physical therapy. The first thing Karen Mauss, PT, did was get him a brace that allowed more mobility in his ankle. He began walking with the support of a walker. Then, after weeks of physical therapy, Karen’s determination and Bruce’s hard work paid off and Bruce graduated to a quad cane (a cane with four points of floor contact).

Emma Jo comments, “I think it is good for other people to see Bruce’s story. He came such a long way with Karen Mauss.

He now works to enhance his newfound strength, coordination and stability with personal trainer, Tim Eilers, at Mercy Fitness Center. Bruce applied for and met the requirements for financial assistance through Mercy for personal training, which is not covered by insurance, easing one financial burden from his shoulders.

“Think what that means for him,” says Emma Jo. “We are just so grateful!”

One side effect of the stroke has been depression, something Bruce struggles with less and less as his recovery progresses. Another challenge has been the increased severity of his diabetes, which is now under control with the help of Mercy’s Joslin Diabetes Center, where he learned to better manage the disease. He is even able to give himself insulin injections – just one more remarkable accomplishment due to all his therapy.

The entire recovery process has been a trial, acknowledges Bruce, particularly since regulations prevent insulin-dependent individuals from driving trucks. He can drive a car, however, and that provides some independence. Now, his sights are set on moving out of his mother’s condo and living life more independently.

“I’ll go off on my own soon,” says Bruce proudly. “I’m looking forward to it, but I’m kind of scared, too.” Bruce has made a lot of friends at Mercy throughout his journey, and they know his determination will get him through life’s challenges.

For more information, visit www.mercycare.org.