Donna Zeigler’s story is one of courage, determination, faith and friendship. Donna is a young, active 44-year-old wife and mother of two children. She has worked as a CNA at Mediplex Rehab Hospital - Bristol (New Bedford, Mass.) for nine years.
      In May 2002, Donna started experiencing low back pain. An MRI revealed two bulging discs. By August, Donna’s condition had deteriorated and severe pain forced her to apply for a medical leave of absence.
      Coworkers Kim Rapoza, RN, Sue Alley, CNA, and Tracey Hierholcer, CNA, maintained contact, providing support and assistance to her and her family with phone calls and visits. Weeks became months. Her coworkers became extremely disturbed about her further deterioration. They watched Donna lose functional mobility, bladder and bowel continence, and eventually become bedridden. Her friends could only wonder what had happened to the vivacious, energetic person they knew.
      Motivated by their deep concern, Donna’s friends successfully persuaded her to seek a second opinion. Alice Medeiros, RN, nursing supervisor, made schedule changes so the trio could drive Donna to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Diagnostic studies revealed an extramedullary intradural enhancing lesion at T9. Admitted to the hospital, Donna underwent bilateral laminectomies at T7, T8 and T9 and an intradermal tumor resection.
      After surgery, Donna regained bowel continence. The numbness in her legs decreased. When she was ready for discharge, Donna could choose a rehab facility. The decision was simple. She not only had her own first-hand knowledge of the quality care at Mediplex, but she also remembered the excellent care her mother had received at the facility. Seven years earlier, her mom Dorothy Burr was admitted with little chance of survival. But as a result of her excellent care, Mrs. Burr is doing well today.
      At Mediplex, Donna had to relearn how to walk and care for herself. Barely able to feel, let alone move her legs, Donna’s goal of walking again seemed beyond reach. But she worked extremely hard and made excellent progress. However, her left knee continued to impede her mobility.
      Donna was devastated when she realized she would not be able to return to her work as a CNA unless she could regain full use of her leg.
      Despite the setback, Donna faced each day’s challenges with enthusiasm, determination and courage. Her strength increased and she showed remarkable improvement. Finally Donna saw her dream come true, supported by the tireless efforts of her therapists, Renee Moniz, COTA/L, and Nicole Ellis, MSPT (whom Donna calls “the drill sergeant”).
      Donna was released to her home on Nov. 22, 2002. Driving just two days after discharge, Donna maintained her outpatient therapy schedule. When her left leg brace needed adjusting, she quickly convinced therapists she could walk just as well without it. The brace was thrown into the trunk of her car, never to be used again.
      Donna proudly returned to work Feb. 22, 2003, happy to rejoin the Mediplex family. “I will always be grateful to the caring, courageous CNA friends who drove me to Boston, and to the kind, compassionate staff who helped me return to the work I love,” Donna said.
      At Mediplex, we provide the same quality, compassionate care to all patients that we would want and expect for own families. In this extraordinary case, we had the chance to demonstrate this commitment to one of our own Mediplex family.