For Jim Householder, pain in his leg had become the norm. For more than a year, the constant pain, which he described as a 6 or 7 on the pain scale, disrupted his sleep, attitude, and much of his daily life. Jim’s knee issues date back to his time in the Navy. He underwent several knee surgeries over the years, but this particular issue with his leg started following a knee replacement. Jim spent a year traveling to Topeka for treatments, but the relief he sought remained elusive.
Jim Householder poses with his VNA care team in the kitchen of his home. (From left to right: back row - Audrey, Dawn, Clare; front row - Kayla, Jim)
That all changed when Jim was referred to Visiting Nurses for Home Health care following a hospital stay for an infection. Jim received treatment from his care team at Visiting Nurses for nearly two months. It was this high-quality care that improved his pain level from a 6 or 7 to a 1 or 0. The collaborative efforts of his care team made the difference, but he noted the biggest improvement came from his Lymphedema Therapy. “Kayla is a lymphedema specialist in the treatment of the swelling of the legs and the pain of the legs, the bad circulation in the legs. She is an absolute expert when it comes to treating someone who’s got that and I’ve got that,” Jim said. “I just can’t praise her enough.” As a Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT), Kayla utilized her expertise in compression and other techniques to relieve the swelling in Jim’s leg. Her treatments not only reduced his swelling, but also provided relief from the pain that had plagued him for so long.
While Jim was particularly impressed by Kayla's treatments, he expressed deep gratitude for his entire care team. Clare, a Registered Nurse (RN), diligently monitored his vitals, managed his medications, and treated wounds on his leg. Audrey, a Physical Therapist (PT) and the Home Health Team Therapy Services Manager, guided Jim through exercises designed to restore his mobility, strength, and balance. Dawn, an Occupational Therapist, focused on practical exercises and suggested home modifications to improve Jim's daily life and prevent falls.
The admiration between Jim and his care team was mutual. Dawn summed it up beautifully when she told him, “You really brightened my life, Jim. Your positive attitude, your joy for life, and your zest for life, you’ve really touched my heart.” This heartfelt statement highlighted the strong bond and positive experience shared by Jim and the Visiting Nurses team.
Jim’s pain was relieved, and his quality of life has vastly improved, thanks to the exceptional care and expertise of his Visiting Nurses team. His story is a testament to the transformative power of compassionate, specialized care.