One Step at a Time: How Physical Therapy Helped Bob Keep Moving Forward

Bob Sandage, 78, believes in staying active and taking care of his health.

That commitment paid off several years ago when the Navy veteran and former emergency department nurse returned from an extended vacation and realized something wasn’t right. He was having trouble breathing, though not in the typical way he had seen as a nurse.

“I knew I was having a problem,” he said. Bob, a husband of 55 years, father and grandfather, experienced a life-changing medical journey that included a heart attack, hospitalization, open-heart surgery and ongoing treatment for several chronic conditions.

Through it all, physical therapy remained an important part of his recovery and quality of life.

After his heart attack, Bob spent four days at Decatur Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Springfield Memorial Hospital for triple bypass surgery.

“They told me both sides of my heart were blocked, and three stents were blocked,” he said. “I was lucky to be alive.”

In the years since, Bob has continued managing his health, including coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, Parkinson’s disease and a compressed disc in his lower back. Despite those challenges, he remains determined to stay as active and independent as possible.

What makes physical therapy different?

Bob has received physical therapy at multiple Memorial Health locations over the years. He credits the therapists not only for their expertise, but also for the way they care for patients.

“They are very professional and very personable,” Bob said. “They greet you with a smile and a welcome. They are there to help you.”

When therapy exercises for his back pain were not providing relief, his care team adjusted their approach. Instead of pushing forward with a plan that wasn’t working, they recommended aquatic therapy.

For Bob, that flexibility and willingness to adapt made all the difference. He says the therapists consistently look for ways to help patients succeed, offering encouragement and support every step of the way.

Looking ahead

Bob has relied on physical therapy throughout many stages of recovery, including rehabilitation after bilateral knee replacements, a torn rotator cuff, neck problems and ongoing back issues.

Each challenge has required patience and hard work, but he says his therapists have been there to guide him through the process.

“They are always supportive,” he said. “It just takes time. Sometimes you have to push through a little bit of discomfort, but I trust them to know what they are doing and help me with my therapy.”

Memorial Therapy Center in Decatur recently moved into a new location on 675 W. Pershing Road, Bob appreciates the expanded space. But he also recognizes physical therapy is more than exercises, appointments and even a spacious new location. It is about having a team that listens, adapts and helps him keep moving forward, one step at a time.