Michaela’s Recovery from a Severe Blockage with Covenant Health’s Parkwest Medical Center

Active, healthy and physically fit, Michaela Martin never expected a life-threatening health crisis. In March 2025, everything changed when she experienced a sudden intestinal blockage. But with Covenant Health’s Parkwest Medical Center as her care partner, she found her way back. 

A Sudden Medical Emergency 

“I was in excellent health,” Michaela said. “I worked out three times a week and lifted weights. I felt strong.” 

That strength was tested while visiting her mother. Without warning, Michaela was hit with severe abdominal pain. “Within an hour, it was unbearable,” she said. “I told my husband to take me straight to the emergency room at Parkwest.” 

At the hospital, physicians identified the problem as an intestinal blockage. It came as a complete surprise. 

“I was shocked,” Michaela said. “I didn’t realize how much stress I had been carrying for many years. It was affecting my body more than I knew.” 

After nonoperative treatments failed to relieve her bowel obstruction, Michaela and her general surgeon Schilling Nechtman, MD, discussed next options. They decided to proceed with abdominal surgery to remove the scar tissue responsible for the blockage. 

“He was patient, thoughtful and collaborative,” she said. “Together, we walked a path forward with daily check-ins and insights from other doctors and nurses who had treated patients with similar unusual circumstances. That gave me a confidence during a time of personal uncertainty.” 

Care That Goes Beyond Treatment 

What followed was a long and difficult recovery. Michaela spent five weeks in the hospital and needed around-the-clock care. “Michaela had what we call a prolonged ileus. Essentially her intestines were in a state of shock and not wanting to push things through, requiring a tube to suck out the backed-up GI tract,” explains Dr. Nechtman. “While common in major abdominal surgery, usually it lasts a few days to a week. Unfortunately, hers lasted nearly six weeks despite attempts to get them moving again.” Through it all, she found strength in the people around her. 

“The nursing staff was amazing, day and night,” she said. “We shared stories about our lives and families. They took me outside to get fresh air, and assured me I was getting better. They really cared.” 

Moments that Made a Difference  

One moment during her recovery stands out most. 

“After the first ten days, I began feeling really sad and depressed.” Michaela said. “One night, around 2 a.m., a nurse sat by my bed and held my hand while I cried. That meant everything to me.” 

Care at Covenant Health goes beyond treatment. It is about connection, compassion and showing up when patients need it most. Michaela saw this in every part of her stay. 

“Everyone knew me by the end,” she said. “They went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and healing, not just physically but emotionally too.” 

Moments of hope carried her forward. She remembers laughing with Dr. Nechtman and feeling encouraged by nurses, even when she was feeling her weakest. 

Dr. Nechtman recalls, “I remember sitting in her room talking about her mother, her adult kids, my toddler and my (at the time) very pregnant wife, and even our aquariums and the fish we hoped to add. Michaela gave me an aquarium coffee table book that my 3-year-old insisted I read to him.” 

Michaela’s husband was by her side every step of the way too. “He was there the entire five weeks,” she said. “We went through it together.” 

A New Perspective on Life 

Today, Michaela is looking at life differently. She recently retired and is focused on what matters most. “My health is not worth the stress I was denying,” she said. “This experience changed me.” 

Now, Michaela is focused on spending time with her family, traveling and working on special projects. She most recently joined the volunteer ranks of the Tennessee Extension Master Gardener Program through the UT Institute of Agriculture. As a Master Gardener, Michaela works in community gardens and events and teaches others how to garden and landscape.  

A Trusted Choice Close to Home 

For others facing health concerns, she encourages partnering with Covenant Health for care. “It’s the best place to go in Knoxville and the surrounding areas,” Michaela said. “You’re in good hands.” 

At Covenant Health, patients like Michaela receive expert care supported by advanced technology, experienced physicians and teams who treat every patient like family. It’s care close to home that you can trust. 

Learn more about Parkwest Medical Center and the services offered at Parkwest.