Note: The following patient spotlight is written by Katie Beth Eldridge, our regional clinical manager for the state of Tennessee. The patient requested to only be named as “Ms. Sandra,” but wanted to share her story in hopes of helping others.
When Ms. Sandra first met our team at Rebirth Advanced Healing, she was facing what many fear most: the potential loss of her foot.
A painful, unstageable pressure ulcer had developed on her right heel, measuring 5.4 x 7.2 centimeters, or nearly 39 square centimeters of damaged tissue.
After dealing with it for 28 weeks, the wound was deep, stubborn, and worsening. She had lost sensation in the area, and traditional methods weren’t working.
For months, she endured the pain and uncertainty that comes with a chronic wound. Each day brought the same worry: Would this ever heal? Or would I lose my foot?
That changed when Gloria Shields, NP, an Advanced Wound Care Provider with Rebirth in Tennessee, began treating her in the comfort of her home. Gloria started with a careful in-home debridement, clearing away non-viable tissue to jumpstart healing, and introduced an advanced biologic graft treatment plan tailored to Ms. Sandra’s wound.
Over the course of only five graft applications, Gloria and Ms. Sandra worked side by side through every step of the process. Healing didn’t happen overnight, but each visit showed progress, and each graft application brought the wound closer to closure.
“I feel my foot would have had to have been amputated if she hadn’t done the procedure,” Ms. Sandra said. “It was a large, nasty wound.”
By the end of treatment, the ulcer was fully closed.
What began as a serious limb-threatening injury became a powerful story of recovery. It’s proof that persistence, skill, and trust make all the difference.
When asked what she would tell someone hesitant to start wound care, Ms. Sandra didn’t hesitate:
“Nothing to be afraid of. It’s just new, and you should have faith in it. Gloria was always optimistic, and we didn’t have any problems getting the graft on.”
Today, Ms. Sandra continues to recover from an unrelated injury, but her heel has healed completely. She’s regained her mobility and her confidence.
“I’m very pleased, and I would recommend it to anybody!”
At Rebirth Advanced Healing, we believe healing is more than closing a wound. It’s restoring independence, comfort, and hope.
With a 98.8% wound improvement rate across our nationwide programs, stories like Ms. Sandra’s aren’t rare. They’re the result of our unwavering focus on patient outcomes and evidence-based care.
Thanks to Gloria’s expertise and Ms. Sandra’s determination, one more patient avoided amputation and regained the freedom to move forward. If you or a loved one is battling a chronic wound, start a conversation with our team today.
