Hello, my name is Rochelle P. and I am 34 years old. I caught COVID on Thanksgiving day 2021 and it hit me fast. I was put into a medically induced coma at Banner Hospital to help me fight the sickness. This lasted about two months and in that time my body decided it was going to need help returning back to normal. When I first got to Montecito I was really scared. I couldn’t understand why my body wasn’t working for me as I couldn’t move any of my limbs. Having a trach and being fed through a tube was not ideal. I really couldn’t move or at that point even roll over in bed.

My time here seemed to be prolonged due to a few setbacks of getting sick and returning to the hospital. My first meeting with Kyle (PT) and DeNell (OT) was a breath of fresh air. I felt like if I tried hard enough I wouldn’t be stuck in bed for very long. Therapy gave me something to look forward to everyday and getting tired made me feel alive again. Kyle and DeNell were always on top of everything. Even when my mindset wasn’t at it’s best they would quickly turn that around with their kindness and humor. In the time that I’ve been at Montecito, I got to meet some great people who have made a big impact on my life. I will miss all my girls in dialysis, RTs, my therapists and some other residents that I got close to.

After about 9 months of therapy here, I am now able to stand and walk with a walker. Everyday I’m getting stronger! I really enjoyed taking the long walks in therapy to a nearby fruit market, down the busy hallways to talk with staff or just say a hello to other patients, as everybody was very friendly. I will miss the good people I’ve met but it’s time for me to return back to my life. I wish everyone the best and say a little prayer for those beginning their journey here.