Logan Memorial Hospital Success Spotlight with Al Rodgers
February 14, 2024
A year ago, Al Rodgers had cataract surgery. Even if it had been 100% successful ‒ and it wasn’t ‒ Al would have never seen the health journey he was about to embark on.
The Russellville native has a family history of Marfan Syndrome, a condition that typically results in arms, legs, fingers, and toes that are longer in relation to the rest of the body. The most serious problems occur in the heart and aorta, and Al had a brother who died from the condition.
When Al went to another eye surgeon to help fix the first surgery, the surgeon told him he had Marfan Syndrome and recommended that Al get an echocardiogram and EKG before performing a second eye surgery. Al visited his primary care physician in February who discovered an already inflated heart valve, but Al wasn’t able to get open heart surgery on his damaged valve until July.
After hospitalization, Al began his recovery journey in September with the cardiac rehab team at Logan Memorial Hospital. He took part in therapy sessions three days a week until he graduated in December. He found it so effective that he re-enrolled in the program’s second level and still takes part today.
Al was referred to the program from Vanderbilt University Hospital and his sister was so adamant about him coming to Logan Memorial that she called to see if he could check in the same day that he was discharged from Vanderbilt. Logan Memorial’s cardiac rehab program started Al with cardio exercises on the treadmill, bike and recumbent bike machine. The team took great care of Al, gradually increased his intensity on the machines, carefully monitored his vitals along the way, and provided reports he could share with his cardiologist.
While Al was apprehensive at first, he quickly found a “groove” with his rehab and has benefitted both physically and mentally. He noted that he retired in 2019 and this rehab helped get him out of the house and improve his attitude and wellbeing. He would recommend Logan Memorial’s cardiac rehab to anyone in need of such services, and has provided recovery tips to other patients and flowers to Logan Memorial team members. He seems to be making the best of his journey to better health.
“Al is a very good friend to everyone in Cardiac Rehab,” said Lana Kenner, nurse for the Cardiac Rehab program at Logan Memorial. “He makes us laugh and laughter is good medicine.”