Meet Randy and Catherine: Together in Sickness and in Health
January 29, 2025
Randy was living an active life in retirement after 43 years of teaching economics at Smith College. The then-77-year-old cycled 30 miles several times a week, and he and his beloved wife, Catherine, were planning a biking trip in Europe. So it came as a shock to them both when Randy collapsed at home and needed emergency quadruple bypass surgery in spring 2022.
He returned home following the surgery, but still experienced variable blood pressures and weakness that had him in and out of hospitals for ongoing analysis and treatment. Catherine, a physician herself, knew something else was wrong.
Additional symptoms brought Randy back to the emergency department—and the next day, the 6’4”, active professor was paralyzed from the neck down and breathing through a ventilator.
Randy was eventually diagnosed with the most severe form of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. He came to Spaulding Hospital for Continuing Medical Care Cambridge for his intensive rehabilitation.
“We chose Spaulding for their record of excellence in getting the most recovery possible after a devastating condition,” says Catherine. “It was a turning point when Dr. Jonathon Schwartz said he thought Randy would be able to come off the ventilator. He deeply listened to Randy, treated him as a whole person, and saw his potential. That made all the difference.”
Catherine credits Randy’s entire care team for working hard with him—and thinking strategically with her—throughout his recovery. “Randy spent his life teaching, so communication and speech was huge for him,” Catherine says. “He didn’t want to use a letterboard [to spell out words], even when the tracheostomy made it hard to hear him. The team saw what mattered to him, and they got good at lip reading to work with him!”
Treating those under our care as people—not simply as patients—is a hallmark of Spaulding Rehabilitation. Catherine says that this mindset stood out to her and played an important role in Randy’s experience over his long stay. For example, the couple marked their 50th wedding anniversary while Randy was at Spaulding. The staff organized a vow renewal ceremony in the Spaulding Cambridge courtyard, a deeply meaningful moment for Randy and Catherine.
Seven months into his recovery, Randy achieved the milestone of getting off the ventilator and was preparing to transition home. Hs occupational therapist, Heather, and his physical therapist, Nancy, worked with the couple to plan adaptations for their 1855 farmhouse and exercises to help Randy navigate his home environment. Thanks to the team, he was able to walk up his own front steps, after more than half a year away.
Almost two years later, Randy is doing well at home. He has an adaptive bike, and the couple bikes five miles most days on a nearby path. They are forever thankful to the team at Spaulding Cambridge for Randy’s amazing recovery.
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