Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1470097
Health Matters: Providence Holy Cross Medical Center | 7 "What's unique and remarkable is the near-complete recovery that she's made through support of the hospital staff, clinicians, family and her own determination," says Dr. Nangiana. Within a span of six months, Gomez kept surprising everyone at Providence Holy Cross with her positive will and focus. She went from complete paralysis to moving a toe, then an arm, then being able to walk, drive a car and, now, exercise daily on her Peloton. While her success seems miraculous to some, it wasn't easy. But Gomez says anything worth fighting for takes effort. "I woke up from a coma two weeks after my accident with a doctor, a social worker and a chaplain in my room. My body was numb and I couldn't move," she recalls. "I was told I'd probably never move again and needed to adapt to my new lifestyle. I was in shock, but I knew I wasn't going to adapt. I wasn't going to give up." THE POWER OF INSPIRATION Speaking with an occupational therapist a day later made a huge difference in Gomez's determination. "Nicole [the occupational therapist] told me, 'I don't know if you'll ever move again, but I learned in school that the mind is very powerful.' So I began looking at my toes and imagining them moving every day, all day long," Gomez says. Five days after she started visualizing movement, her left toe moved. That's when she says her fight and spirits shifted into high gear. "I screamed and made everyone come in and see! I kept doing it and knew there was hope! And whenever I was told I shouldn't do something, I'd just ask them to let me try. I worked so hard every day, doing more than anyone asked. Finally I got a little movement in my left arm, so I started feeding myself grapes and then reaching for the remote. I gave 120% in rehab and cheered every little milestone, sometimes even crying out loud to myself, 'You've got this! Let's go!' " Gomez says with a laugh. Her biggest achievement? Being able to hug her children again—Jadden, 13, and Autumn, 7. "I'm still doing physical therapy every day," she says. "I tell myself, 'There's no stopping me.' Every day in PT and on my Peloton, I feed my brain positive messages. I listen to inspiring podcasts or books, and I don't watch TV. I've learned to be grateful for the little things. My advice to everyone is Don't give up!" Dr. Nangiana says everyone involved in her care, including the paramedics who rescued her (whom she thanked in person), is deeply moved by her amazing recovery. "Liz has faith. She persisted and worked hard after her surgery. Her determination and mindset made all the difference. She found inspiration in her children, and now she is an inspiration for all of us," says Dr. Nangiana.