Esau Baxter is an 80 year young resident of Mattapan and a retired postal service employee after 26 years of service. Following retirement Mr. Baxter still led a very active life including his involvement with the Masons as the Most Pursivant Sovereign Grand Commander for the past 8 years. But in August of 2008, medical issues began to interfere with his lifestyle.
Mr. Baxter came to Radius from an acute care hospital on August 29, 2008. He went to the acute hospital due to severe shortness of breath and near syncope (fainting). He was diagnosed with several serious medical problems including congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and orthostatic hypotension. His hypercarbic respiratory failure required long term assistance with a mechanical ventilator thru a breathing tube surgically placed in the neck. He also needed a tube placed into the stomach for nutritional support.
Mr. Baxter was transferred to Radius to undergo a comprehensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation program while continuing his medical treatment. He was evaluated by pulmonary, cardiology, endocrinology, and psychiatry specialists at Radius and found to also have mild hypothyroidism and severe Vitamin D deficiency. Replacement therapies were instituted and Radius staff worked relentlessly with Mr. Baxter to overcome the challenges he faced in his recovery. Mr. Baxter, who was near bed-ridden on arrival, was encouraged to participate in activities outside of his room.
At a time when Mr. Baxter was most despondent with his prognosis, he remembers that Marie, his respiratory therapist, encouraged him to think hopefully about “a second chance.” Marie’s words and the work and encouragement from the rest of Radius staff seemed to tap into the reserve of strength that carried him through these 80 years. Mr. Baxter began to conquer his anxiety and depression and to fight to get back home again.
This will, together with the medical strategy, allowed a recovery beyond the doctor’s initial expectations. Mr. Baxter was weaned off the mechanical ventilator completely, freed of the tracheostomy tube and successfully converted to a non-invasive respiratory support known as BiPAP just at nighttime. He was able to eat normally thru his mouth and the PEG tube was removed permanently. After four months in the hospital, Esau Baxter truly got his “second chance” at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in the confines of his own home with his own family.
PUBLISHED WITH PERMISSION.
