Elaine never imagined a routine surgery could change her life. One moment she was running her antique booths and managing her diabetes while staying active, and the next she faced a life-threatening aortic aneurysm, complications during surgery, and weeks on a ventilator.

Before her surgery, Elaine led an active life running two antique booths, even while managing type 2 diabetes and recovering from multiple stent and open-heart procedures. 

“It was just one of those things where every few months I had to go have a stent,” she recalls. She never expected that what was supposed to be a straightforward procedure would put her in such critical condition.

A Sudden Turn

Her health challenges began with aortic aneurysm surgery that quickly turned complicated. “Things went very wrong,” Elaine recalls. “I coded on the table and had a stroke. The instrument got stuck, so they had a tough time getting it out.”

The severity of the situation required Elaine to be placed on advanced ventilator care to survive. Sedated for much of the early days, she relied on her family to speak on her behalf. She spent more than 40 days in intensive care at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, under the care of TriVent Healthcare’s Special Care Unit.

“When I woke up, I was receiving ventilator care. The recovery was really, really rough, but I had the best care from both the hospital team and my family. They gave me every chance to recover,” she says.

TriVent’s Specialized Care at UAB

Throughout her stay, Elaine says the TriVent care team was always there for her. “Every time someone came into my room, it felt like we became friends. They encouraged me the whole time,” she says. 

One person she’ll never forget is Sharon Marbury, speech-language pathologist for TriVent’s Special Care Unit. “During the toughest times for me, both physically and mentally, Sharon was a basket of joy. She was always cheering me on and putting a smile on my face,” Elaine says.

Along with the TriVent care team, Elaine’s family stayed by her side day and night, helping with her care and speaking for her when she could not.

One memory that stands out for Elaine is waking up in intensive care and insisting on her tracheostomy tube being removed, not realizing the risks. “The doctors were standing at the door, begging me not to do it. That moment is burned in my memory,” she says. Despite the fear and pain, she listened to her medical team and leaned on her family’s support to keep going.

Emotionally, Elaine hit some very low points. “There were times I just wanted to say no more. I did not want to be on the ventilator,” she says. “But with my family praying, the nurses cheering me on, and the doctors guiding me, I found the strength to keep going.”

A Determined Recovery

Today, Elaine’s life has changed in so many ways. She no longer runs her antique business and, due to legal blindness, cannot drive. Her days are quieter, spent pedaling around the house, but she appreciates each moment. “I appreciate every minute I get to move freely and be here,” she says.

Reflecting on her journey, Elaine stresses that determination and mental strength were key to her recovery. “It’s all about how hard you are willing to work. You have to give it everything you’ve got. If you feel safe enough to do it yourself, you can’t rely on devices or crutches. You have to make yourself strong. The TriVent team was right there with me the whole time, helping me get back on my feet,” she says.

Elaine’s story shows the power of determination and care. Her experience in TriVent’s  Special Care Unit proves that with the right team and a strong will to recover, even the hardest medical challenges can become stories of hope.