Significant Steps In My Stroke Recovery
My Stroke set me on a months long path to Recovery.
With the exception of driving, my life, especially my
Activities Of Daily Living, have improved to near normalcy.
I can best express my journey to recovery by sharing these Milestones.
My Stroke Event
Mine came to me on a Friday in June 2021. I was with someone who wasted no time in contacting the EMS team that skillfully got me to the ER in under 25 minutes.
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Hospital ER
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My ambulance was greeted by a full Emergency Medical Team, already assembled and prepared to assess my condition, and begin stemming any further progression of the damage already caused by my Stroke.
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Admittance To Stroke Unit
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On the morning of the second day, I was admitted to the Kaiser Stroke Unit, the vaunted " 2 South ". Medical treatments established in the ER were carried over
with additional emphasis on nutrition and early recovery assessments and therapies.
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Joining My Hospital Stroke Recovery Team
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I realized that I must be the most important member of a Team Effort to begin my Recovery. Once I had affirmed the importance of my being a central player in my Recovery, I began to show signs of progression.
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Introduction To Therapies
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At the very beginning of my week in Kaiser Roseville, I was introduced to my physical, occupational, and speech therapists. They started with a thorough evaluation of my post-stroke abilities to move, perform tasks, and my levels of cognitive ability.
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Establishing My Prime Objective
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By mid-week, I had demonstrated to my team my willingness to "do the work" necessary to make me a candidate for the next level of advancement. I was being considered for admission to Kaiser's premiere Acute Rehabilitation Center in Vallejo, CA.
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Earliest Plans For My At-Home Recovery
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Even before I advanced to Acute Rehab, we were planning my return home. First, arrangements needed to be made with my employer. Then we had to file for my SDI benefits, temporarily adjust my wife's work schedule, then recruit my son and sisters as part-time caregivers in anticipation of my return home after discharge.
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First Small Victories !
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While still in 2 South, I had coached myself to print my full name, brush my teeth, comb my hair, button my shirt; and most importantly, close my eyes and touch the tip of my nose with the finger on my Stroke ( right ) Hand.
Feeling Safe At Home
3 weeks being the hospital made me feel safe. Being home, without my doctors and nurses required faith in the reassurances provided by my family.
Standing alone in the shower was a landmark event !
500 Steps Toward Walking Again
My PT Michael, challenged me to be able to walk ( with my grannie walker )
the 500 steps from the parking garage to his office by my second visit to
out-patient rehab. My sister and I marked off 500 steps into and out of the park.
It's almost exactly 500 steps from the curb to those pavilions and back.
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We left the transfer chair in the car, and I "walked", with my grannie walker
to Michael's office for my next appointment.
Out And About Feels Good !
Early in my recovery, just being able together out of the house and
do something "normal" was rewarding. Getting back to my favorite
produce dept. with a new approach to eating healthy was a great feeling !
Shedding My Grannie Walker
Graduating to walking with a cane was a major step toward "full recovery".
It opened me up to so many more opportunities. Walking, attending functions, and
just taking an evening stroll in the neighborhood gave me a great feeling of normalcy.
Recovery Brought New Contacts
People sensed I was progressing in my recovery and it encouraged them
to reconnect or form new connections. I grew comfortable inviting people
into my new circumstances. and they responded with new Love and Support.
My Reputation For Sharing Grows
News of my success in recovery, and my ability to communicate my story
came to the attention of Kaiser Permanente, The American Heart/Stroke Assoc.
and the media. I gained a reputation for giving quality interviews and
participating successfully in teleconferencing platforms.
Recognition For . . . My First Angel
The first Angel in my story was Samuel. Sam was with me when my Stroke occurred. His quick response likely saved my life, and most assuredly had
a profound effect on my recovery potential. I was so proud of Sam on the day
he was recognized with Home Depot's highest award for Life Saving . . .
their ANGEL AWARD This recognition was the genesis of my Stroke Angel Project !
Discovering My Fitness Gym Was Critical
My ability to walk without a cane is directly related to the large muscle
exercise routines designed by my Any Time Fitness Team led by Daehun.
Our work together eventually made it possible for me to drive.
We share the hope that someday I will be able to play a short nine holes of golf !
Realizing My Most Important Goal
I am a child of the 60s. Driving is in my DNA. The loss of my ability to
drive a vehicle, and become dependent on others for transportation was
demoralizing. After 11 months I became strong enough, with sufficient
coordination in my stroke leg/foot to safely drive.
Promises Kept
Upon discharge from the Kaiser Roseville Stroke Unit and transfer the
Acute Rehab in Vallejo, I promised my nurses and my therapists I would
someday drive myself, and walk into the hospital to celebrate
my recovery. I kept this promise
exactly one year to the date for each discharge !
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