Patient Success Stories

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It has been five years since Marion Steele faced one of the most defining moments of her life, a battle with the COVID-19 virus. What followed was not just a physical recovery, but a profound personal journey marked by resilience, reflection, and renewal. In this testimonial, Marion shares her story with honesty and hope, offering a powerful glimpse into what it means to survive, to heal, and to live more fully in the wake of crisis. 

Patricia, one of our former patients at RML Hinsdale, contacted us to say hello and to let everyone know how much she appreciated all the staff at RML. She is forever grateful for the great care and compassion shown to her while she was our patient. We are glad you are doing well Patricia and thanks for your kind words, looking good!

My wife Cathy was the lead medical transcriptionist at a busy suburban Chicago hospital until she had a massive heart attack in August of 2005. The heart attack caused too much damage & Cathy was told that she needed a new heart. She had a Left Ventricular Assist Device, an LVAD, installed in her abdomen to assist her heart in pumping to keep her alive until a donor heart could be found.

After Cathy’s LVAD surgery, she needed special care. RML was the only hospital willing to take on her difficult case. To accept Cathy as a patient, RML’s staff needed special training and individualized accommodations to meet her needs. The staff at RML were willing to go above and beyond to accommodate us.

We received expert care at RML. I say ‘we’ because not only did my wife receive exceptional care to treat her illness, but I was also included in the healing process. The team of physicians and therapists had us set goals to help monitor her progress. They let both my wife and I set goals — they did not tell us what we should be doing or how my wife should be progressing, they instead asked our input. This made all the difference in the world to my family. We felt like we were helping direct the course of the care we received instead of being pushed through a pre-designated route in a complex medical system. The staff at RML genuinely cares for both the patient and their family and they treat each individual patient in a unique manner customized to meet the patient’s needs.

Cathy fought through her illness for nine months. She was scared for a lot of that time but throughout each of her 3 stays at RML she was very happy. With the help of staff like psychologist Dr. Joanne Kelly, Cathy was able to rid herself fear and regain control of her life. Unfortunately Cathy never made it to transplant. We were at peace with her medical situation. When the time for Cathy’s passing came, she was at total peace. There was no fear. Cathy realized that everything that could be done was done and it was just her time. The last three days of her life she spent at RML with her family and friends. On that last day, we all said goodbye and she passed away quietly holding her husband’s hand with her nurse and doctor in the room to make sure she passed quietly and painlessly.

This was not the outcome we wanted but it is a part of life. RML realizes this and helped both Cathy and myself through our most difficult days. This is what makes this facility so important… what is best for the patient takes precedence. RML truly has the patient’s best interest in mind.

Thank You,
Jeffrey Black

Janet Frampton knew she had COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) but was not expecting to end up on this journey.

Not too long ago Janet felt she was having trouble breathing. Her hospital was full, so she was sent to Advocate South Suburban Hospital. While she was there, her breathing became more difficult and she ended up needing the assistance of a mechanical ventilator for breathing. Time passed and her physicians thought it would be best if Janet was transferred to a LTCH (long Term Acute Care Hospital) to continue her weaning from the ventilator.

That is when Janet’s family jumped in. They wanted to find the best place for “mom”. Jennifer, Janet’s daughter, researched LTCH and found RML Specialty Hospital. The family agreed RML Specialty Hospital would be the best place for mom and Chicago would be the ideal location for the family.

Not long after Janet arrived, she was able to breathe on her own for hours at a time. Today she is up in a chair, looking forward to returning home very soon.

“The doctors here are a world of knowledge. They are caring and professional” States Janet. “I couldn’t be in a better place”. “The staff here is caring, professional, and great.”

Thank you, Janet, for all your kind words.

Thank you RML Specialty hospital staff, for helping Janet on her road to recovery.