Patient Stories

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.”

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.”

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.