A perfect place to recover
Kenneth Foyder
Feb, 2023
After three surgeries resulting in inpatient rehabilitation stays, 75-year-old Kenneth Foyder, credits the team at Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital and his physical therapist, for the recovery progress he has made over the past seven years.
Kenneth’s rehabilitation journey began in 2016 following back surgery to remove a synovial cyst. Synovial cysts develop in joints in the spine, and while not cancerous, they can get large enough to pinch spinal nerves. He had a second back surgery in 2018. Most recently, a bacterial infection caused the loss of feeling in his legs and left him temporarily unable to walk. When he knew he needed an inpatient stay, he requested to return to Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital for a third time.
“If I had to be anywhere, Watervliet is where I preferred to be,” said Kenneth. “They are there to help you and really do the job they are supposed to do—get you out of there. I was walking within a week.”
During his time in rehabilitation, Kenneth completed over three hours of physical and occupational therapy every day. The personalized care he received provided quality time for him to bond with his care team which included physical therapist and rehabilitation services manager Nathan Prine, physical therapist Karol Paul and occupational therapist, Fiki Mpofu.
“Everyone, nurses, therapists, and hospitalists, are always right there for you, explaining things so you know where you stand and where you are going,” said Kenneth. “They challenge you and expect you to work, but in a way that is friendly and beneficial to the treatment you need.”
Following his hospital stay, Kenneth continued physical therapy two times a week at the Center for Outpatient Services on Hollywood Road in St. Joseph. He requested to again work with physical therapist, Cynthia Schlipp, having also built a relationship with her after his back surgeries.
“She is doing wonderful helping me progress a little more each time we meet,” said Kenneth.
Looking forward, Kenneth hopes his rehabilitation will allow him to return to something he loves—working with kids. As a retired educator, one of his goals is to return to the classroom as a substitute teacher. He also plans to continue his work in the community as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. He and Cynthia have set dates on the calendar to reach these goals and are working together to achieve them.
“It’s important to have goals as a motivating force and to have something to look forward to,” said Kenneth.
Throughout each of his stays, Kenneth said the entire health system worked well together, from the moment he was admitted, to where he is today.
“If anyone has a situation where they need physical therapy or occupational therapy, Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital is the place to go.”