25 Comments
Moved out of ICU
Today is the third day after my husband, Steve, suffered a major right brain stroke that affected the whole left side of his body which left his arm and leg paralyzed. This morning he looked a little better and they moved him out of ICU. They already started him on Physical Therapy (PT) and Speech & Language Therapy (SLP), and tomorrow they’ll be adding Occupational Therapy (OT). They sat him up but his core balance is way off and he could not sit by himself without falling over. It took 3 therapists to hold him up as they tried to get him to sit straight.
He had some difficulty swallowing in ICU and choked on some jello, so now he is on a feeding tube to prevent further choking. But the speech therapist is working with him on that too and will be doing a swallow study soon.
Steve is very coherent and in good humor in spite of all this. There is no cognitive damage that we can tell. His memory is very good too. And even though his speech is heavy and a little slow, it’s not slurred like it was when I brought him in.
He could not feel or move his left arm and leg even after much prodding, poking and pinching throughout the day to see if he responded. (This is the same leg in which he broke his ankle 3 wks before the stroke). He still doesn’t realize that the left side of his body is paralyzed. I think that’s because whenever a nurse or doctor asks him to move his toes or squeeze their hands with both of his, they just say “Okay, good”, so he thinks he did it, when the left side did nothing. He keeps asking me to bring his crutches so he can walk to the bathroom. He still thinks I overreacted by calling the ambulance. Obviously his judgment is skewed a little.
Last night I slept wonderfully after being awake for 36 hrs., and I awoke completely refreshed after 7 hrs. of undisturbed sleep. So thank you for your prayers for me as well. When I awoke at 2:45 AM, the moon was shining brightly and filled my bedroom with light. I sensed the presence of God and His peace enveloped me as two verses of scripture came to my mind:
“He will not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.” (Psalm 118:17)
![bookmark](http://www.strokesurvivorblog.com/wp-content/plugins/share-and-follow/images/blank.gif" height=){kind=small}
Thanks for sharing your experience, I pray that God almighty will grant him his good health back, also God will continue to strengthen you as you care for him.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:27 amAll best to you.
Dear, Kathy and Steve
I am so glad to hear your husband is okay now. I wished that all this information had been published way before in 2007. It saddens me reading about this because the same thing happened to my father and I had no idea of what to do being so nervous. I just wanted my father to be well. I have a step brother and step mother who were already making arrangements for his funeral. I felt so betrayed, heart broken, angry, well you can imagine all these emotions. My father was put on a breathing machine right after they did the surgery on him. My step brother and mother did want a DNR. I was really not sure of what all this medical terminology meant till I asked. So I was furious. My father being a 70 yr. old man I knew would not be easy for him to get right back up and active again right away, so I knew I had to fight this, and did I make a fuss. So finally my step brother being furious that I was doing this, he then convinced his mother to give him power of attorney because he was the eldest. After that I had absoultly no say-so. Well, like not even a day after that, the hospital offered the services of Hospice to my father to be taken home. My step mother refused and said that it would be too much work for her. My heart dropped after everything he has done for us, especially her for her just to abandon him like that. But I am sorry I was angry and to this day I will not speak to her. I have forgiven her because that is God’s will, but I can’t find myself to even look at her. After they offered the Hospice services to her, the very next morning he passed away. Honestly, I felt kind of weird how that happened so fast after being okay for 2 months and barely attempting to talk. I was always with him day and night. But after my step brother had power of attorney, well he moved him to another hospital because he claimed the hospital he was in could no longer help him, and he could only be there certain amount of time. But this new hospital would not allow anyone to spend a night. It was more for just intensive care patients on oxygen and ventilators.
I really wish I still had my father, hero, my best friend who I miss tremendously. Even though it has been 2 yrs. already it is still very fresh in my mind.
But Kathy I am glad you have your husband and admire how you were always by his side. That is beautiful. Take care of him always and love him like never before as well as your daughters. God Bless you all.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:23 amHi Kathy and Steve
It’s so good to know that there are people like you who put their trust in God.To know that our God is alive and still in the miracle working business. Keep trusting in him knowing he who began a good work in you will see it thru to it’s completion.Thanks for encouraging my own faith.
July 10th, 2009 at 6:21 pmThank you so much so making this blog. My 45 year old mom just suffered a right brain stroke, due to her right caroid artery being blocked. This is such a relief to read the progress of your husband because so far it is a DEAD ON MATCH to what my mom has been experiencing. I’m so excited to read this entire thing to see how much he’s recovered! The best goes out to you and your family! I’m praying for you!
Courtnee Karpay
August 16th, 2009 at 11:53 amI also suffered stroke and have 90% recovered in 10 years. I will say don’t lose heart, have faith in yourself and God. Recovery is slow but your hard work pays.
November 10th, 2009 at 8:07 pmI am a stroke survivor going on 7 years. Mine was also ischemic, and my left side was paralyzed. I had 8 months of therapy, and am still recovering. I am glad for your faith and your sharing your experience. Keep believing, and remember: nothing is impossible with God!!!
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:41 pmHow very fortunate. We see so many patients here with large MCA strokes that have not had the same outcomes. The thing that struck me in reading your story was the part about the three hour time window. The concern for that is real. However, here we are using tests that rely more on physiological time rather than chronological time…and this leads to additional opportunities for stroke reversal. CT head studies with perfusion suggest areas of salvageable tissue. Which can then be treated with IA tPA or a clot retrieval device. God Bless, to all of you who are stroke survivors.
January 20th, 2010 at 8:19 amHi Kathy and Steve,
It is wonderful to know that Steve is recovering from his most unfortunate stroke. It is even more pleasant to hear his story and how much it mirrors exactly what I experienced 15 months ago. I also had a divine intervention and has pulled me through the hardest of times and pains when giving up would have been the easy way out. I now live to serve the Lord and spread my living testimonial that with Him by your side, you can do no wrong, and nothing is unachievable. I work hard at trying to recover from my stroke and it surely has paid off immensely. I thank my gracious family that has helped me through this, to include my daughter, my brother and sister-in-law, and numerous friends. Above all God has carried me all the way and I am a firm believer that with him at my side, I will recover….thank you and good luck!!
March 8th, 2010 at 7:22 pmI am recovering from a stroke also also but did not seem this severe. I thought my life was over anyway and to put my affairs in order.
The worst symptom I had was anxiety that was terrible and I had to use Xanax to control it somewhat. The anxiety finally ceased by the grace of God three months later. I was afraid of getting off the Xanax because I have heard so many bad stories. But I am coming off it now (73% of original dose so far) and don’t have any symptoms of withdrawal. The technique is to go slow and use a water suspension with an oral syringe. For me, I have been coming down .066 mg every two days and it is fine. I am planning on a full recovery too.
I attended Be In Health ministry in Thomaston, GA and believe I was touched by God there because my anxiety was immediately dropped were I could pay attention to the teachings. I have since taken those teachings and am making them part of my life. You can check it out for free. I believe God is healing me. He is good, and will be good to all of you too.
April 5th, 2010 at 12:08 pmThis ministry sounds great. Thank you for sharing, Tom. God is good!
April 5th, 2010 at 1:20 pmMy husband had a stroke in 2008. By the grace of God he is with me today. We both have many struggles with life changing rolls.My husband could not walk talk or do many other things, but is now recovering and walks 3.5 miles a day and is driving. Things can be a little complicated at times but I know God is healing him each and every day.
September 14th, 2010 at 11:18 pmKathy, thank you for publishing this. My prescious wife and angel Shelia experienced a hemorraging stroke in the Thalamus area of brain sometime between Sept. 10th and 16th. She only had slight loss of use on the right side and this recovered quickly (1-2 days). However, she is having vision problems. Opthamologist has checked and her eyes are ok. The problem is in the brain. Her vision has improved somewhat since coming home from ICU on the 18th of Sept. But it is frustrating to her and me as well. We feel our care from MD, Neurologist, Opthamologist, and hospital were good, I just keep wondering if there is something else to do or somewhere we could go and get additional help. We, like you have a tremendous church family and so many prayers are being sent up on her behalf. Any help appreciated. I know that God works in mysterious ways and through his children. I feel that my finding this site is the providence of God. Thank you! God Bless! Dwight
September 26th, 2010 at 9:31 amDwight, thank you for your kind remarks. My husband never experienced the vision problems your wife is having, but I’ve talked with others who have. Many times this condition improves over time as the brain heals. So I suggest that in the meantime you praise God that the stroke did only minimal damage, and then bleed the blood of Jesus for complete and full healing over her eyes and the nerves that control them. Blessings and prayers, Kathy.
September 26th, 2010 at 4:38 pmKathy, Steve and family God is smiling on you all. In 2004 I broke my ankle, 5 months later, I had a mild stroke. I went back to work 2 months after the stroke, only to have our division shut down this past Oct. With continued prayers the Lord will you bring you through. I have a question, maybe you or someone can help. My mobility is quite good, however I cannot stand for a long time. If you or anyone can help, I will be truly greatful, if not my prayers will still be with you all. The Lord will not bring us to anything that He cannot take us through. Blessings to all. Jhatoon
April 9th, 2011 at 7:05 amMy first response was deleted, I am asking about exercises for stroke victims.
April 9th, 2011 at 7:15 amThe only exercises I can offer are the ones shown on the videos of my husband when he was in therapy. I don’t have many of him working his legs, though. As with anyone who has broken an ankle, pain will present itself when standing for long periods of time. So you may want to wrap it with an ace bandage to help support it when you know you’ll be on your feet for any length of time. I hope that helps.
April 11th, 2011 at 4:24 pmMind over matter. got me out of bed!
April 15th, 2011 at 8:21 amThank you both much. I do not stay in bed, can’t stand it. I would like to do more walking and playing with my granddaughter.
April 16th, 2011 at 6:31 amThank you for sharing your experience. My mother had a cerebal stroke last week and is 83. So I’m surfing the web looking for stroke survivors. Your story is very inspiring. My mom has always been a strong and stubborn woman so I think she will pull through this. She already has movement in her paralyzed left arm and leg, and her speech is improving daily. God bless her and all survivors. Have faith, God works miracles!
September 23rd, 2011 at 6:48 pmYes Meredith mind does it and if you need a bit of help write out a setn of goals and read it and repeat it every day. This will help in those dark times when you want to give up. My first goal, when I couldn’t walk to the end of the drive unaided, was to walk to the end of the street, thirty houses. I wrote four or five post cards saying, ‘When you get this I walked to the end of the road. this was six months ahead of my goal. I don’t mean at all that I’m clever, it is just as Meredith says the power of mind.
November 4th, 2011 at 7:26 am‘
My wife suffered a hemorrhagic stroke on April 13, 2009 and survived. Looking for a neurological physical therapist and cannot locate any. Have spoken with numerous agencies, and PT/OT’s but got NO help. Like a door has been slammed in my face. Cannot understand these actions. Marie is still alive, able to communicate, asks me to help her get better, can eat mechanical soft food. Have 24 hr. caregiver. I must work to pay bills that insurance will not pay. Nest egg all but depleted. Need help/direction to find right agency/person with compassion to help my wife.
December 22nd, 2011 at 9:26 amRobert, where do you live? That will help me find help for your wife.
December 22nd, 2011 at 9:50 amHi,
My stepfather had a stroke right before New Years. It was a hemorrhagic stroke that affected his right arm and leg. It was smack dab in the middle of the speech part of his brain so initially he could say one or two words. He spent three weeks in ICU then one more week in a regular hospital room before moving to a Rehabilitation facility last week.
My God is so good. While still weak, my stepfather can move his arm, fingers, and hand. He can stand up and march in place as he is relearning the sequence of walking. His speech is coming along as well. Despite the physical deficits, I think the major battle right now is depression. Understandably, he is having a hard time. He does have lots of support from friends and co-workers. I ask for continued prayers from all who visit this blog, as I will add you to mine.
January 18th, 2012 at 9:26 pmThanks for listening.
I read your story and I understand. My husband also suffered a stroke due to a blood clot, though only his face was paralyzed. Unfortunately even if he had reached the hospital before the 3 hour limit, it wouldn’ve done no good since unfortunately he had the attack at his office and was taken to a Government Hospital. There they waited around 6 hours just to get his CT scan done (we’re in India, after all.) The doctors told me he wouldn’t be able to swallow for 3 months, but I consulted a homeopathic doctor and gave him a dose of bothrops (30th potency) and he was able to swallow the next day. He took homeopathic remedies and recovered really fast, though some damage has stuck. He feels heat on the right side of his body (though the left side was paralyzed) and he says he feels weak sometimes. I don’t see how though, because when we go to the Hills he treks 3 km up and 3 down, then another 2km at the base. Just that 6km hike exhausts me, but he does it twice a day.
February 1st, 2012 at 12:24 amIf your husband hasn’t recovered from his paralysis I really suggest you try homeopathy. I’ve personally seen two other paralyzed persons recover within a few days, one after taking Lachesis and the other Lyopodium. However homeopathy goes according to symptoms, so you need a doctor to advise you. In my opinion it’s best to make sure it’s a bonafide doctor, since there are many third world doctors who are fakes, with fake certificates, as I found in my own country. However genuine doctors can do virtual miracles. Please note that homeopathic medicines are very delicate, so heavily scented items can damage them (so can toothpaste, which contains camphor) and coffee antidotes it. So while taking homeopathy you have to avoid perfumes etc. and preferably brush your teeth with salt or just plain water. I really hate to think of all the paralyzed people out there who might be easily cured by a single dose, which is why I wrote to you. Good luck and I hope he’s fine now.
I would like to know if vision recover completely post-stroke?
February 5th, 2012 at 1:48 amIts my friend who had stroke 5month ago & still no sign of any improvement in his vision he’s unable to see anything (both eyes) after stroke although his motor activities are quiet normal now am really concern about his vision.His treatment is still going on in hospital.Doctors are not v sure about his recovery.I would really like to know if any1 has been through same experience & recovered.