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Patient Stories

Stoughton Hospital

900 Ridge Street
Stoughton, WI 53589

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(608) 873-6611

Stoughton Hospital Patient Stories

Bob Bonebright photo

Bob Bonebright

Patient Finds Relief After 30 Years

Bob Bonebright had given up on feeling good. For 30 years he dealt with extreme discomfort from acid reflux. “It didn’t matter what I ate, I ended up miserable.” Bob missed out on activities and events, not feeling well enough to participate. “It was so bad sometimes, I felt like I couldn’t breathe,” Bonebright shares. “Medication wasn’t very helpful and I had seen other doctors with no relief.”

Then a friend shared information about a presentation on a new procedure for GERD (acid reflux) offered by Dr. Aaron Schwaab at Stoughton Hospital. The LINX procedure offered new hope for many people suffering from acid reflux.

Bonebright liked what he heard and scheduled an appointment with Dr. Schwaab. He was happy to hear he qualified for the LINX procedure.

Based on Bonebright’s symptoms, Dr. Schwaab was also concerned about Bonebright’s gallbladder. Patients with acid reflux don’t typically also have gallbladder issues but in this case, it was a problem.

Bonebright went ahead with the gallbladder surgery and felt about 60% better, which was amazing after so many years of discomfort.
After healing from the gallbladder surgery, Bonebright then had the LINX procedure. He has found even more relief “having many, many better days.” And according to Dr. Schwaab, symptoms can continue to improve for up to six months after surgery.

Bonebright is optimistic about his future and is incredibly grateful to Dr. Schwaab for his improved quality of life. “Dr. Schwaab is an amazing surgeon and I recommend both him and the LINX procedure to anyone.”

patient-Mary-Beaver

Mary Beaver with Cardiac Rehab Staff Melissa, Jen & Betsy

New Heart, New Hope

When Mary Beaver learned she was in heart failure, it was devastating for the 52 year old. Mary was the Director of Evansville EMS and had a busy and fulfilling life. She and her husband Tom have two children and two grandchildren.

By 2015, Mary needed a heart transplant. Her family’s prayers were answered when after only 24 days, UW Hospital had a heart for Mary. Her heart transplant was a success and after 21 days in the hospital, she returned home.

Road to Recovery
Mary began her cardiac rehab while still in the hospital and once discharged, she began outpatient or Phase 2 Cardiac Rehab at Stoughton Hospital. Mary chose to do cardiac rehab at Stoughton Hospital because it was close to home and she knew it was a great program.

When Mary started cardiac rehab, any walking was very difficult and she couldn’t pick up her grandchildren. Through cardiac rehab Mary was able to build up her endurance and rebuild the muscle she had lost.

Mary “graduated” from the Stoughton Hospital Cardiac Rehab program this past December. The change has been remarkable for her. She can now participate more fully in daily life including grocery shopping and more importantly, picking up her grandkids.

What impressed Mary and her husband, Tom, was the cardiac rehab staff. They are genuinely concerned about their patients. As Tom said, “They bring it to a personal level of care. You can’t buy that.” Mary agreed stating, “this is the place to come for cardiac rehab. The staff is very caring and professional.”

Mary was also pleased with the level of education she received on nutrition, weight, blood pressure and more. When unable to attend cardiac rehab due to illness, the staff always called to check up on her and make sure she was alright. “Your program is awesome,” Mary shared.

Moving Forward
Mary continues to exercise in the hospital’s Wellness Program or Phase 3 Cardiac Rehab. She acknowledges she still has a long way to go and just feels better after exercise. Rather than going to a health club, Mary prefers the atmosphere of cardiac rehab and the support of the other patients and staff.

Mary and her family are optimistic about the future and she’s excited about being able to volunteer in the schools.

patient-Suzanne-Ampe

Ambulatory Infusion Center Nurses Becky, Jessica & Kathy with patient Suzanne Ampe

Adding Convenience & Compassion to Treatment

Suzanne Ampe had a hard November ending up at a Madison hospital with pneumonia for one week. Shortly after being discharged she was readmitted for another week. To combat this tough case of pneumonia, Ampe needed a daily course of IV antibiotics. Fortunately for the Stoughton resident, there was a closer option for her ongoing treatment.

“The nurses were great, I can’t say enough good things about them,” shared Ampe when discussing her nine weeks of IV treatment at the Stoughton Hospital Ambulatory Infusion Center (AIC). Ampe was thankful the staff was able to get her in and out as efficiently as possible, never keeping her waiting.

She adds, “the nurses were compassionate. They talk to you like they know you.”

Ampe is done with treatment but continues to come in weekly to have her PICC line bandage changed to prevent infection. When asked if she would recommend Stoughton Hospital, Ampe didn’t hesitate to say “yes, absolutely.”

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Melanie Miller

Knee Replacement Restores Choices

Patient and Hospital Volunteer Melanie Miller Shares Stoughton Hospital Experience

Being able to choose activities and adventures based on my wishes and abilities rather than limitations is what knee replacement and rehabilitation has meant to me. Two years ago I had bilateral knee replacement and it was the best decision I could have made. In fact, I should have had it done five years earlier.

This was my first experience with any type of joint surgery. For some reason, a number of people felt it necessary to tell me their opinions about unsuccessful replacements and the “horrors” of rehab after the surgery. The stories were enough to cause me second thoughts but I really needed to have the surgery as the constant pain I was enduring was really taking a toll on me.

As things turned out, my experience was nothing like what those folks had shared with me. As soon as my surgery was over, that constant joint pain was gone. Sure, there was some discomfort from the incisions, but that was short-lived. My surgeon, Dr. Richard Rilling, and medical team did a wonderful job and then the rehab team took over.

Recovery Begins at Stoughton Hospital—Inpatient Rehabilitative Care
The inpatient rehab, and the care and guidance I received post-surgery at Stoughton Hospital, were outstanding. Physical therapy sessions were designed for my needs and challenges. The first steps were anything but easy, but the staff was very understanding and encouraging. I looked forward to the new activities we would try each day and the goals of more steps and greater distances to travel – even if it only was down the hall at the hospital.

I felt fortunate to be able to begin rehab in the Stoughton Hospital as it was a comfortable and friendly environment. It was so much easier than having to transfer to a different rehab facility.

I knew if I needed assistance, it would be there. My confidence in my ability to walk again grew each day. As I worked through the in residence rehab and prepared to go home, the staff was very careful in assessing my ability to return to my house and once again become independent. This made the transition of going home quite easy for me.

The remainder of my rehab was also wonderful. The weekly sessions offered activities which truly kept me motivated to continue with exercises and see resulting progress. I was released from outpatient physical therapy about four months after my surgery with confidence and great anticipation to return to more physical activity which I had enjoyed before my knee problems had begun.

I love my new knees and so much appreciate all the staff who played a role in my surgery and rehab. I wasn’t born at the Stoughton Hospital, but this is where I got a new positive outlook on life due to my knee replacements. I have returned to some of the physical activities which I had given up prior to surgery. I can now play golf, judge county fairs, spend more time at our family cabin and enjoy time at the YMCA without the mega bottle of ibuprofen.

Jack Coppernoll shares how much better he feels and his relief from acid reflux after he had the LINX procedure done by Dr. Aaron Schwaab.
Steve talks about his positive experience at Stoughton Hospital and his his ConforMIS knee replacement.
Viginia Schenk suffered from vertigo for nine months, she found relief at Stoughton Hospital’s physical therapy clinic.
Jack Duffy shares his experience as a patient in Stoughton Hospital’s inpatient rehabilitation program.
At 53, Jane Ties thought she was too young for a heart attack. Fortunately, she still took her warning signs seriously on a cold snowy night in December. She talks about her great experience with Stoughton Hospital Cardiac Rehab. Thanks Jane!
Kay Kratochwill was celebrating her first anniversary at a golf resort when she experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Kay had no history of heart problems. Thanks to her husband’s compression only CPR and the Stoughton Hospital ER staff, Kay is able to share her story with us.

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