My husband Don, who is 70 yrs old, went into the hospital in April 2003 to have bi-lateral knee replacements. The next day he suffered a severe right brain stroke that left him paralyzed completely on the left side of his body. He was hospitalized for 3 months and then 3 wks at a rehabilitation hospital followed by 3 weeks of outpatient therapy and then we were on our own with wheelchair, walker, tub bench and raised toilet.

What I did I learned on my own. While he was hospital I stayed with him 24 hrs a day, with relief from our adult children. I always made sure to sit on his left side so it would force him to try and turn his head. I used a knee mobilizer machine 6 hours a day for 3 months to keep his knees from locking up. I painted his left index finger with nail polish and also his big toe on the left foot and constantly made him aware of the left arm and leg and worked them all the time. I kept a journal of every doctor who came in on consultations. I knew every pill they gave him and when.

He couldn't swallow for 6 weeks so he had to have a G tube implanted. To keep him hydrated and less frustrated I asked that he be allowed to use a suction machine with sponges to keep moisture in his mouth but would not allow him to swallow. Touching a person in stroke is so very important. Massages were a great therapy both for of us and I learned to do massage from a massage therapist from whom I purchased aroma therapy massage oils. We would get him up every day onto a cadillac wheelchair and take him on walks throughout the hospital, even when he hated it.

After 2 months the Doctors brought in a physical therapist who got him up with a walker and in the next month he walked from 3 steps forwards and 3 back to 50 ft, then 100 ft, then 300 ft and finally 500 feet before resting. When he came home from the rehab hospital I had investigated taking him to a doctor who practices stroke care using a hyperbaric chamber treatment. However the distance was too great, and so I went online again and found a doctor locally who practices Neurolink, which is non-invasive stroke treatment. Within 2 weeks he was walking and swallowing, and was more responsive.  

I took him gradually off of the mood elevators that his doctor had him on, which were making him more depressed and zombie like and opted to give him St. Johns Wart for depression and other nutritional supplements from the health food store. Finally, I enrolled him in a local gym with a trainer and now he walks with only the assistance of a cane. He is not losing weight any longer and is getting stronger.

We returned the rented wheel chair and life is getting back to normal, because I will not let him or myself dwell on what happened, but give all the credit to God for his awesome healing powers. We live every day for today, and refuse to worry about tomorrow or yesterday. Strokes can be devastating to the affected as well as to their family members. Learning everything you can about stroke, being in support groups and daily prayer make this frightening illness less frightening. Sincerely, Cynthia Williams.