Sara's Garden Quarterly Newsletter

Sara's Garden ● 620 West Leggett Street ● P.O. Box 150 ● Wauseon, OH 43567 ● 419.335.SARA

HBOT Delivers a 1-2 Punch

Knee replacements are one of the most commonly performed elective, orthopedic operations. For the majority of patients, knee replacement surgery relieves pain and helps them to live fuller, more active lives. But for some, the opposite occurs.

No surgical procedure is without risks and a small percentage of patients undergoing knee replacement may develop an infection following the operation. Joint replacement infections may occur in the wound or deep around the artificial implants. An infection may develop during the hospital stay or after the return home. Joint replacement infections can even occur years after surgery. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to Bill.

Bill had to have joint replacement surgery in 2006 due to a work related injury he had suffered on his left knee back in 1991. Over the years, his knee gradually deteriorated to the point that it finally had to be replaced. Bill’s surgery went according to plan. Following surgery Bill returned home to begin his recovery. Doctors continued to examine his knee annually to ensure that it was still functioning properly. Everything appeared to be going great.

In December 2011 Bill’s left knee began causing him a lot of pain. When he went in to see the doctor an x-ray showed that fluid was building up around his knee, which had to be drained off. His blood work and an MRI indicated the presence of an infection. By February, Bill was forced to stop working due to the excruciating pain in his knee.

Infections can be caused by a variety of bacteria and viruses that are usually kept in check by the immune system. However, because joint replacements are made of metal and plastic, it is difficult for the immune system to attack bacteria or viruses that make it to these implants. If bacteria or viruses gain access to the implants, they may multiply and cause an unrelenting infection. Despite antibiotics and preventative treatments, patients with infected joint replacements often require surgery in order to cure the infection. Because of the level of the infection and the amount of pain it was causing, the doctors decided on a plan to remove Bill’s artificial knee and implant another one.

However, in March, when doctors opened up Bill’s knee during surgery it was discovered that the replaced knee had worked itself loose. The doctor simply pulled it right out of the bone. A medical spacer was installed instead of a new knee replacement until they could clear up the infection. Bill began receiving antibiotics administered via a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC or PIC line) to treat the infection. By the end of June, a filter had to be put in due to a blood clot that had formed in the left leg. Read more.

Help us Create a Playground for All Abilities!

Disabilities challenge how affected individuals and their families go to school, go to work, and even spend time at a playground.

Do you remember what recess was like when you were in school? For most kids, it is their favorite time of the day. Unfortunately, many students do not have the opportunity to experience recess the way their peers do. Have you ever noticed how many playground surfaces are covered with mulch, pebbles or even sand? Can a child in a wheelchair move across that space? Even most playgrounds that have handicap friendly surfaces have little to no equipment that a child in a wheelchair can access.

Play is an essential component in the lives of children. Play directly affects our physical, mental, emotional, and social well being. Through play, we are able to define who we are and who we want to be. We are able to improve our physical fitness, build skills, work on problem solving, practice communication, set goals, share expectations, understand roles, and develop friendships.

Just because a child has a disability, does not mean their need for play is lessened. While play promotes self-awareness, inclusion promotes community-awareness by involving both children with and without disabilities. Read more.

Chamber Renovations

After steadfastly and flawlessly performing nearly 5,000 treatments with countless numbers of clients, our original chamber’s exterior façade is beginning to show the wear and tear of nearly ten years of service. With the construction of a new addition to the clinic and renovations to the existing facility, Sara’s Garden’s Board of Directors were in agreement that our chamber deserved a facelift and makeover.

On January 3rd, 2014, after being stripped of all of her gaskets, windows, wires and piping, Chamber 1 was hoisted by Wyse Crane Service onto a transport supplied by Dave’s Sand & Stone and chauffeured by Jack Rychener to Auto Images for her beautification and restoration. Upon her return home to Sara’s Garden, Fitzenrider, Inc. and Gulf Coast Hyperbarics will apply the finishing touches to her transformation.

She will be revitalized to serve those in need for another ten years. As long as there are those seeking her services, there is little doubt that she continue to provide hope, help and healing to families from across the country for many years to come. View Photo Gallery.

From the Desk of the Principal (Jan. 2014)

As we approach the end of the first semester at New Horizons Academy at Sara’s Garden, this old principal continues to be amazed by the academic and social growth of children, who in the world’s poor perception were not able to succeed or develop into independent learners.

Many of the students have met and exceeded the academic IEP (Individual Educational Plan) and/or behavioral goals, which had been set prior to attending New Horizons Academy. As I contemplate how and why these academic and behavioral improvements have occurred, I think about what is important to children as they grow into independent adults.

It is important for children to be truly loved and to feel safe in their environment. Because of the small classroom population, the intervention specialists at NHA are able to provide that special learning climate which creates a culture of safety and caring. Students who need those unique minutes for special hugs or words of encouragement find them in these settings. The small group settings also provide time and attention for effective problem solving in positive and stress-free surroundings. Read more.

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