Joining the Stroke Survivors Club

Update 10-13-18

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Yes, on Saturday August 11, I Joined the Stroke Survivors' Club

My wife's employer has a beautiful home in a rustic part of Phoenixville, PA.

They asked her to house sit while they were in Cape May, NJ, and she asked me to join her. So to avoid Friday afternoon traffic, I drove out Thursday evening, August 9.

Friday morning I felt a little dizzy, which I told my wife. She said: "You should see a doctor," Me: "No, I'll be fine."

I finished a press release, then went out for lunch. After lunch I started another press release.

Around 3:00pm I said I felt tired, so I took a nap until before dinner. We had dinner without incident.

Spent some time together after dinner then I went upstairs to get ready for bed.

Overnight I felt a numbness in my right hand, so I thought I'd take a walk in the morning to walk it off.

Saturday morning I woke up and my entire right side was numb, and I told my wife I thought I might have had a stroke. She thought we should get to an ER, but I said I'd take a quick shower first, which I did.

We went to Phoenixville Hospital. We parked in a lot, I walked down some steps to the ER, and even signed the admission forms.

I had a CT Scan and an MRI, which at first were inconclusive, so a neurologist was contacted, and I was admitted for an overnight stay.

On Sunday my symptoms got much worse. My speech got slurred, I lost the use of my right hand and leg.

The neurologist arrived on Monday, and concluded that I had a brain stem stroke, which is difficult to detect with an MRI, but he said he would have certain parts of the MRI images enlarged, and would be able to confirm his diagnosis.

My condition had been stabilized, so arrangements were made to transfer me to Healthsouth, in Vineland, NJ, a stroke rehab facility.

Healthsouth, Vineland, NJ

For me, and most others I'm sure, stroke rehab is a difficult process on many levels. It's a strange experience to go from being fully functional one day, to being unable to stand, walk, and use a hand the next. The rehab process is full-time, residential, and includes Occupational Therapy, (OT); Physical Therapy, (PT); and Speech Therapy.

OT is primarily upper body: Hand, Arm, and Shoulder. PT is primarily lower body: Standing and Walking. Speech Therapy is actually mostly cognitive, checking daily reasoning processes, which can be affected by a stroke.

Progress is measured by a set of standards pertaining to everyday functions: dressing, washing, motor skills, walking and standing (being able to effectively use the affected side of the body.)

When I arrived at Healthsouth, I was unable to stand, walk, or move my right hand.

After five weeks of daily therapy I returned home, and I am now able to walk with a walker, move with the use of a wheelchair, and perform simple tasks with my right hand.

My wife also received family training at Healthsouth, she is now able to help me with my full range of daily activities, while I begin to readjust to daily life.

Healthsouth therapists gave me many different types of exercises, and as long as I continue to do them, I can continue to work towards a complete recovery.

Additionally my treatments at Healthsouth resulted in me now enjoying blood pressure and blood sugar numbers that are the lowest I've had in my adult life.

My second family at The Ritz Theatre Co. has been a blessing to me. Today my wife and I attended a performance of Incorruptible, which was a very important step to me in getting back to my life.

I am eternally grateful to everyone who has helped me get through this, the best is truly yet to come!

Steve Thompson
September 23, 2018

Healthsouth, Vineland, NJ

Incorruptible, at The Ritz Theatre Co.