03/27/2026
Lee is happily married and has several children. His health ordeal began after a scheduled colostomy-reversal surgery at Valley Baptist Medical Center for a prior medical condition. The procedure went well, but one day before discharge, he became short of breath. His oxygen levels started decreasing, and he was placed on assisted ventilation via a BiPAP machine.
Lee got progressively worse and had to be intubated and placed on a ventilator. He was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure. Several days later, he was removed from the vent and extubated, but shortly thereafter, he needed to be intubated again. Again, he was extubated, did well for a week, then had to be intubated and placed on a ventilator. The decision was made to place a tracheostomy tube until his respiratory status improved. He was subsequently transferred to Solara Specialty Hospitals Harlingen.
During his stay, the pharmacy team provided antibiotic therapy. The speech therapy team worked to help him vocalize with a trach in place. The respiratory therapy team kept his airway clean and suctioned while weaning his oxygen demand. His wife was at his side throughout his entire stay.
Day by day, Lee improved. He was placed on speaking valve trials and did well, then transitioned to red cap trials, breathing through his nose and mouth while still requiring oxygen and his tracheostomy. Days later, he was weaned from the ventilator and successfully remained off oxygen with no artificial airway.
Eventually, Lee was discharged home. He is eager to return to his family life while continuing to gain strength. The entire family feels very grateful for everything done at Solara and to everyone who participated in his care. His wife said they trusted all the doctors and staff with his treatment plan, which led to his successful discharge.
To read more patient recovery stories and to learn more about our care, visit https://www.solarahospitals.com/locations/texas/Harlingen
