StrokeSurvivorBlog

Monday, Feb. 23, 2009 marked the one-year anniversary of Steve’s stroke. As I look back over the last year I am amazed at all that has happened. There were many successes and victories, challenges and setbacks. Frustration, hopelessness, discouragement and depression are emotions that Steve struggles with, so it is good that we look back to see how far he’s come.

We watched an early video of his first therapy session that took place 4 or 5 days after the stroke.  He was hooked up to a feeding tube through his nose because he couldn’t swallow food; and the dreaded Foley catheter was necessary because his system couldn’t void urine. He endured the humiliation of having others clean up after his “accidents”.

His left ankle was still in a big black, heavy air cast because of a break which happened three weeks before. The stroke caused so much confusion that at times he didn’t know where he was. He thought that if he had his crutches he would be able to walk to the bathroom, so he begged me to bring them to the hospital (which I didn’t). He had no idea that he couldn’t even sit up by himself, let alone walk. His balance was so far off that it took four therapists to help him stand up. It took two or three people to help turn him from side to side to help relieve the pain in his hip. It was 5 months before he could use the bathroom by himself.

He spent 6 weeks in the hospital for rehab, and two months in the nursing home until he was well enough so I could take care of him at home. He had two months of home healthcare, three months of outpatient therapy, and three months of aquatic therapy at the CP Center, which he still continues.

There were also many setbacks that brought discouragement. In the hospital he got cellulitis in his eyes that resulted in him losing one week of therapy; in the nursing home he got the flu. After he came home he had an impacted tooth that needed to be pulled, an ingrown toenail that had to be removed, another bout with the flu, sleep apnea, depression, voice change, difficulty breathing, excessive saliva that caused choking, shoulder and ankle pain, fatigue, frequent headaches, atrial fibrillation, and two seizures. The first seizure set him back about 4 months in therapy. There were also many serious drug side effects and he felt like a guinea pig with the doctors experimenting on him. He still has very little sensation on the left side of his body and can’t identify what’s touching him unless he sees it.

Through all of these trials Steve tends to forget how much he has progressed, and it’s easy for him to focus only on what he’s lost. It’s frustrating to be stuck inside of a body that won’t obey the commands he gives it. But even with all the setbacks, he has made great progress. He doesn’t need the wheelchair any more except for longer distances; he can walk the stairs by himself, and can make transfers to and from the car. His appetite is back, and this past summer he even cut the grass on the riding lawn mower.

Through all of this, we are very optimistic for the future and we have so much to be thankful for. Yes, the road has been hard and steep, but progress is progress even if it’s only inches at a time. Last year, Steve celebrated his 60th birthday in the hospital. Today we’ll celebrate his 61st in a restaurant, and he’ll walk into it with the use of a quad cane.

We are thankful for all who have been praying for us, because your prayers have sustained us. Truly God’s grace is sufficent for us, for His power is made perfect in our weakness. We love you and thank God for you, and we believe that the best is yet to come!

Love, Steve & Kathy