Ruth & Michael Walker
On Memorial Day 2025, Michael Walker realized something was terribly wrong with his wife. "Ruth had not been feeling well but suddenly she was delirious and experiencing memory loss," Michael said. "She couldn't walk and I honestly wasn't sure what I needed to do."
Even though he knew it was a holiday, Michael called his wife's primary care office hoping to find help. Shaney Dunn, clinic manager for Dr. Lawrence Lee, responded to the call. She immediately contacted Dr. Lee, who was out of state.
"I have known Ruth for 20 plus years as a patient in the practice," Dunn said. "Her husband explained she had been seen at an urgent care and diagnosed with a UTI. But when he began explaining that she was very weak, not herself, and experiencing memory loss, we knew she needed to get to an emergency room."
Ruth, age 68, spent the next six days at Grandview Medical Center. "We had an option of where to go and I said Grandview because I know they have the latest and greatest," Michael said. "Thank God we got her to the ER because she flatlined two times after she arrived."
After moving Ruth to the ICU, a series of tests were performed to get to the bottom of her symptoms. A neurologist diagnosed Ruth with hepatic encephalopathy, a condition that occurs when a person's liver is unable to filter toxins from the blood, which then affect the brain.
"I believe the quick response of Shaney and Dr. Lee saved my wife's life," Michael said. "Having a primary care physician and office staff who know you is very important. As a patient, you build a relationship with the doctor who gets to really know you, and the bigger picture of you. That physician can then make referrals and recommendations."
Today, Ruth is home with her husband of 29 years. She is undergoing follow-up with Dr. Lee, and will continue her primary care visits on a regular basis.
"I feel very fortunate," Michael said. "Ruth is alive, we have continuum of care planned for this rare diagnosis, and, because we have long term care insurance, we have occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy coming to us."
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