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Survivor
Miracle in Progress: A Stroke Survivor's Unyielding Journey
This is my stroke journey and it's far from over. More to come, so stay tuned!
It was April 26th, 2021, just after midnight, and I was sitting on the couch gaming when I felt a sudden headache and a strange sensation wash over me. I tried to tell my girlfriend what was happening, but I couldn't get the words out. I tried to stand up, but my legs were wobbly. I could feel the right side of my face drooping. I knew something was off. I knew I was having a stroke. I was 38 years old.
She quickly called 911, and I made it to the ER in no time at all. The paramedics did a stroke screen, but they said I didn't have a stroke. I got to the hospital within 10 minutes, and they found my blood pressure was sky high at 170/127. A CT scan revealed a right vertebral artery dissection with a possible CVA (stroke).
Things took a turn a few days later when they discovered a G.I. bleed and stopped my blood thinner. My condition rapidly declined. I went into acute respiratory failure and was put on a ventilator in the ICU. I had surgery for a peg tube and trach, and later got a Foley catheter. The doctor's prognosis wasn't good. They said I had little brain activity and would likely never recover, know anyone again or regain my memory, let alone regain independence.
But I had a different plan. The night before they were going to withdraw life support, I woke up and recognized everyone. It was a miracle! I spent about a month in the hospital before getting transferred to another hospital to stabilize before heading to an inpatient rehab hospital.
Inpatient rehab was a tough road. I was struggling with hallucinations, had trouble swallowing, and was grappling with the emotional weight of it all. The team was working with me to get me literally on my feet again. They were serial casting my legs and pushing me to stand, saying I'd take my first steps in just a few days.
But things took a turn when my insurance ran out after a 60 day stay in the rehab hospital. The casts were cut off, and I got shipped off to a nursing home, where I was the youngest resident by a mile. I had this image in my head that I'd just bounce from one rehab facility to the next, but reality was different.
Four years of unimaginable challenges have passed, including a grueling battle with insurance setbacks and I was forced to abruptly discontinue a cocktail of medications, including opioids, benzos, gabapentin, muscle relaxers, and more ,a decision that put my life at risk, according to my doctors. It was a harrowing experience, but necessity left me no choice. I'm grateful to be on the other side, working hard towards healing and recovery. I finally made it back to where I needed to be. MUSC Rehabilitation Hospital in North Charleston, SC where my mom lives. I just spent five months getting amazing therapy there! Now on to the next chapter of my story!
It was April 26th, 2021, just after midnight, and I was sitting on the couch gaming when I felt a sudden headache and a strange sensation wash over me. I tried to tell my girlfriend what was happening, but I couldn't get the words out. I tried to stand up, but my legs were wobbly. I could feel the right side of my face drooping. I knew something was off. I knew I was having a stroke. I was 38 years old.
She quickly called 911, and I made it to the ER in no time at all. The paramedics did a stroke screen, but they said I didn't have a stroke. I got to the hospital within 10 minutes, and they found my blood pressure was sky high at 170/127. A CT scan revealed a right vertebral artery dissection with a possible CVA (stroke).
Things took a turn a few days later when they discovered a G.I. bleed and stopped my blood thinner. My condition rapidly declined. I went into acute respiratory failure and was put on a ventilator in the ICU. I had surgery for a peg tube and trach, and later got a Foley catheter. The doctor's prognosis wasn't good. They said I had little brain activity and would likely never recover, know anyone again or regain my memory, let alone regain independence.
But I had a different plan. The night before they were going to withdraw life support, I woke up and recognized everyone. It was a miracle! I spent about a month in the hospital before getting transferred to another hospital to stabilize before heading to an inpatient rehab hospital.
Inpatient rehab was a tough road. I was struggling with hallucinations, had trouble swallowing, and was grappling with the emotional weight of it all. The team was working with me to get me literally on my feet again. They were serial casting my legs and pushing me to stand, saying I'd take my first steps in just a few days.
But things took a turn when my insurance ran out after a 60 day stay in the rehab hospital. The casts were cut off, and I got shipped off to a nursing home, where I was the youngest resident by a mile. I had this image in my head that I'd just bounce from one rehab facility to the next, but reality was different.
Four years of unimaginable challenges have passed, including a grueling battle with insurance setbacks and I was forced to abruptly discontinue a cocktail of medications, including opioids, benzos, gabapentin, muscle relaxers, and more ,a decision that put my life at risk, according to my doctors. It was a harrowing experience, but necessity left me no choice. I'm grateful to be on the other side, working hard towards healing and recovery. I finally made it back to where I needed to be. MUSC Rehabilitation Hospital in North Charleston, SC where my mom lives. I just spent five months getting amazing therapy there! Now on to the next chapter of my story!
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