Thanks from a Grateful Family

In the spring of 2008, my dad was feeling poorly, losing weight and having trouble breathing. On April 15, Mom took him to the emergency department at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, where he was admitted and diagnosed with pneumonia.

Four days later, it was advised that he go to an extended care facility, and he was admitted to Genesis Illini Restorative Care. They immediately worked with him in physical therapy doing breathing exercises. Soon he was stronger, able to eat and gaining strength.

The whole staff embraced him and made him feel right at home. Dad enjoyed his therapy sessions where he joked and laughed with personnel. Laughter is the best medicine.

I visited often with my children and granddaughter. It was an enjoyable time for all of us. With the help of Genesis Visiting Nurses and therapists' home visits, we were able to take him home on April 30.

That summer, we took Dad to Iowa City where he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Mom continued to care for him at home until Dec. 22 when he was having trouble breathing and suffering from painful injuries from a fall he had taken trying to be independent (he was like that!).

We called the ambulance and once again he was taken to GMC-Illini ER and admitted to the hospital. The staff was again wonderful and we even spent a family Christmas Eve there. The staff was part of our celebration and took a family photo for us.

It was suggested that he go into restorative care again, and Dad said if he could not go to Illini Restorative Care, he would not go anywhere. They were able to find him a room, and it was the right place for him to be. Again the staff worked with him and he regained some strength and was able to go home on Jan. 17.

Dad only lived one more month, but because of the therapy and help from everyone at Genesis Medical Center and Illini Restorative Care, he was able to spend his last days at his favorite place in the world—home.

I believe we were allowed that last year with Dad because of the kind and caring people at Genesis. While there for those two stays, my parents were treated like the special people they are, made friends and felt comfortable. Thank you for your loving care and dedication to what you do. We very proudly have a leaf on the Remembrance Tree in Dad's honor.

We want to thank the whole staff at Genesis Illini Restorative Care for taking such good care of my father.

Sincerely,
The family of Wilbur "Sy" "Gene" Sylvester