Patient inspires nurses, therapists

Lymphodema kept Michael Gribbin, De Soto, confined to his house for two years.

The condition caused fluid retention and tissue swelling. Gribbin said he reached a point where his legs became too big to walk and he could no longer drive a car.

“I wanted to get back to walking,” Gribbin said.

Through occupational and physical therapy at Olathe Medical Center, Gribbin reached his goal. The medical center recently gave Gribbin its Rehab Patient of the Year award.

“He started so dependent. Not leaving his house for two years,” occupational therapist Janis Miller, OT, CLT, LANA, said. “Now he’s able to drive independently.”

Gribbin lost 44,000 milliliters of retained fluid during his outpatient therapy at Olathe Medical Center. That is the equivalent of 2.5 gallons and two 2 litter bottles filled with water. Gribbin said he lost more than 100 pounds while participating in therapy at Olathe Medical Center.

“It’s people like you, Michael, that inspire us,” said Mark Dwyer, PT, MHA, director of Rehab Services at Olathe Medical Center, as he presented the award.

“I’m just glad there is a place like this,” Gribbin said.

Gribbin has had lymphodema for more than 12 years. He received treatment for his condition on two different occasions at a facility in Olympia, Wash. Each visit lasted two to three months.

Gribbin said he lost 127 pounds during his last visit to Washington, but he started to backslide on diet and exercise and gained the weight back.

Gribbin came to Olathe Medical Center because of an infection. During his stay, the staff talked him into therapy.

“I was just kind of hesitant,” Gribbin said.

Miller and her colleague, physical therapist Shannon Short, PT, CLT, LANA, did not take no for an answer.

Short said Gribbin’s gradual progress during his four months of therapy made a huge impact on his overall health. She said Gribbin told her he wanted his life back during one of his first sessions.

When Gribbin accepted his award, he told Short he had gotten his life back.

“I come and go as I want to,” Gribbin said.

Marti Becker, LPN, worked with Gribbin when he was on the inpatient unit.

Becker said she helped Gribbin leave the floor after he was discharged, before he began his outpatient therapy. It took four people to get him outside to the hospital. Gribbin sat in a cardiac chair and put two stools under his legs while medical staff pushed him.

Now Gribbin’s days of immobility are over.

“It’s great that he’s walking,” Becker said.

Michael Gribbin’s father, Don Gribbin, took care of Michael when Michael could not walk.

Don said he feels proud of his son’s accomplishments.

“Now he’s driving,” Don said.

Michael said he will not let his life slip back to immobility.

“This time I’m not going to backslide,” Michael said.

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