Licking Memorial Health Systems - Measurably different...for your health
Patient Story - Terry Frame

Although he was born in Zanesville, Terry Frame has lived the majority of his life in Licking County.  He met his wife of 60 years, Terrie, in Downtown Newark.  Terrie was employed in the Administration Department at the Dow Chemical Research Center in Granville.  The couple raised their two daughters, Lorei and Kristen, in Licking County.  Both daughters remain in the area.  Throughout his adult life, Terry has dedicated himself to aiding the people of Newark.  

In the 1980s, Terry served as a City Councilman.  To assist those in need in the community, he became a member of the Newark Area Jaycees and served as President for a time.  He also served as the City of Newark Parks and Recreation Director for many years.  Among the many improvements implemented during his time as Director, Terry is credited with establishing and improving the Newark Municipal Ice Rink – now named the Lou and Gib Reese Ice Arena.  

Now retired, Terry continues his service to the community as a member of the Education and Membership Committee of the Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) Development Council.  The Development Council was established in 1987, to increase charitable giving to LMH and to enhance and promote meaningful community relations for the Hospital.  Terry enjoys being a part of the Council because he continually learns new information about Licking Memorial Health Systems, and is able to share that information with other members of the community.

Recently, Terry was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.  Treatments began with surgery to remove the cancerous cells.  After surgery, Terry could barely walk and was informed that he required rehabilitation therapy before he could return home.  He was sent to the Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (ARU).  The goal of the ARU program is to optimize the patient’s functional ability in order to live independently as possible at home.  Patients must be able to tolerate at least three hours of therapy five days per week and have the ability to achieve rehabilitation goals in a reasonable time period.  The interdisciplinary team approach toward rehabilitation is used to focus on the patient’s specific area of disability.

“The unit was very well-run.  I was impressed with the Director, David W. Koontz, D.O.,” Terry shared.  “The room was comfortable – more like a hotel than a hospital.  The staff began my rehabilitation right away, and kept me working throughout the day.”

After visiting with Terry, Dr. Koontz discovered an issue connected to the surgery and arranged for Terry to return to the Columbus hospital that had performed the procedure for further patient care.  After the issue was corrected and additional time was given for recovery, Terry returned to LMH to continue the rehabilitation process.
 
“The clinical liaison Amie Myers quickly arranged to secure an opening for Terry as soon as he was ready to return,” Terrie explained.  “She answered all our questions, and made the transfer process simple.  Several of the staff members called or visited to check on Terry’s wellbeing while he was at the Columbus hospital.  Everyone was kind and knowledgeable, from the point of care technicians to the physical and occupational therapists.  They seemed to know exactly what Terry needed before he even asked for anything.” 

“Each staff member took a personal interest in me and the other patients,” Terry fondly remembered.  “They went above and beyond the requirements of their job to assure my comfort and recovery.”  
While in the ARU, patients receive several different types of therapy based on their needs.  Terry required physical therapy to build strength and start walking again.  Each day, he performed different exercises to improve his movement including using exercise bands and walking up and down the hallway.  The occupational therapists would provide different tasks to assist Terry in preparing to perform daily chores when he returned home.

“One day, they asked me to fold dishtowels,” Terry said.  “They wanted to make sure I was safe when I returned home.  I had mentioned that I enjoyed cooking as one of my hobbies, so they took me to the mock kitchen in one of the rooms in the unit to practice some of the needed skills.  Everyone helped me improve my strength, skills, and especially my confidence.  I felt more secure about my return home.  I hope to cook something to share with them when I am feeling stronger.”  

After his release from LMH, Terry continued receiving therapy with LMH Rehabilitation Services.  He has also been receiving treatments for cancer.  Because the medications leave him feeling tired and weak, Terry is taking a short break from rehabilitation.  Working with the LMH Hemolotology/Oncology Department, Terry was able to enjoy a short trip to Florida between his scheduled treatment appointments.  He and Terrie had traveled to the area for their honeymoon, and the couple wanted to return to celebrate their 60th anniversary. 

| Posted On : 11/15/2022 9:40:38 AM