A Glassford man is reaching his health goals with the help of Carle Health Proctor Hospital's pulmonary rehabilitation team and helping others along the way.
Russ Taylor, a 63-year-old lung transplant recipient, has been working with exercise specialist Dana Myers and her team since 2016. Twice a week he does his workout routine which consists of the treadmill, elliptical, arm bike, rowing machine and more.
“I like to change things up instead of doing the same thing all the time,” Taylor said.
Taylor has been through a long and tough health journey.
In 2007, a respiratory test revealed that he was unable to return to his career as a painter. A few years later, he started oxygen therapy, and in 2016 he began seeking evaluation for a lung transplant.
To qualify for the transplant, Taylor had to meet certain BMI, weight and endurance goals. That's when he started working with Myers and her team.
“He brought those goals to rehab, so we focused on that. We started by doing him on the treadmill, focused on his weight, and educating him about his diet.” Myers said.
Taylor used two 4-liter oxygen tanks and brought them to every session.
Myers credits his resiliency, remembering that he always knew his goals and stayed on track with every milestone.
“I've seen Russ fight hard. He works hard to accomplish anything. He never gave up. There was never a time when he didn't see the fight in his eyes.” Myers said.
“They were very kind. They helped us with whatever we needed to do,” Taylor said.
Taylor worked hard, met all the requirements, and received a lung transplant in November 2020.
He said his exercise and dedication made a huge difference before and after surgery.
“I had been working out there for quite some time and it showed,” Taylor said. “He had two oxygen tanks when we started, but now he doesn't need them. He doesn't need CPAP at night.”
“I've watched him carry tanks over the years. The day he walked in with nothing, there wasn't a dry eye in the building. It was a great sight,” Myers said. added.
Taylor continues to meet with his team twice a week to build up his endurance and maintain his weight and blood sugar levels.
Additionally, he openly talks about his experiences and shares them with other patients to help them recover.
“It really helps me stay motivated. If I miss a session, I just miss the team and routine,” Taylor said. “My body expects it, and it helps keep me moving. It helps others do the same.”
Myers calls the Proctor Rehabilitation Team one big family, and they treat Taylor like one of their own.
She added that the most important goal is to help him and others walk and move as much as possible.
“It's what's best for them,” Myers said. “Unfortunately for pulmonary patients, the damage and disease they have is not always reversible. Our goal is to provide support that includes not only exercise but also dietary, psychosocial, and pharmacotherapy advice. , to help them avoid further damage and maintain their physical fitness. It teaches them what to do at home, not just in terms of exercise.”
Taylor added that he always looks forward to his rehab sessions and credits his family, both at home and in Proctor, for supporting him every step of the way.
“My wife makes sure I can continue to work as if it were my full-time job,” Taylor said. “Whenever I need something, I just ask and the team supports me. They keep telling me, 'You've certainly come a long way, haven't you?' I really enjoy going there. ”
“I love our team,” Myers added. “We're going to make this process as easy as possible. We just want to educate and improve the lifestyle of our patients.”
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