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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.
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 judgement 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)
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 pm