Stephanie Pihl, a 56-year-old pharmacist from Lubbock, Texas, enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband and family. Her life changed when she experienced three days of waking up disoriented and confused about why she wasn’t at work. She began struggling with weakness, stumbling, and falling in her home. After seeking medical attention, Stephanie learned that she had experienced Central Pontine Myelinolysis, a neurological disorder.

After a family member recommended Dr. Roger Wolcott and the therapy team, she chose to receive rehabilitation at Trustpoint Rehabilitation Hospital of Lubbock (TRHL), confident in its reputation. During her 11-day stay at TRHL, Stephanie worked on regaining stamina, improving balance and coordination, and improving her memory.

“I’m so grateful to the whole team who worked with me,” Stephanie says. “Everyone was caring and professional to the housekeeping staff (Ms. Anita), to dietary services (Ms. Stephanie), to the nurse practitioners (Kim and Tammy), to Dr. Wolcott. Being at TRHL allowed me to grow in my confidence and learn how to compensate for the changes from my brain injury.”

After finishing inpatient services at TRHL, Stephanie began outpatient services at the hospital, which included physical, occupational, and speech therapies. She continued with outpatient rehabilitation until she returned to work this past August.

“Before TRHL, I was terrified that I wouldn’t be able to return to work as a pharmacist,” she says. “My career – working with patients – gives me a sense of purpose. I was afraid that I had permanently lost that sense of purpose before this experience. I would love for everyone at TRHL to know that they made a huge impact on both my physical and mental health.”

Reflecting on her journey, Stephanie says, “TRHL made a difference not just in my life, but my whole family’s as well. Thank you! As I encounter family members of patients who have experienced strokes, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries, I now have a program, a place, a healthcare team to recommend…Trustpoint Rehabilitation Hospital of Lubbock.”