On Thursday, December 17, Ellen experienced a stroke due to an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) that affected her left arm and leg. She was able to get immediate medical attention and received care at the university hospital in Burlington. She moved from the Acute Medical and Surgical part of the hospital and received a month of therapy in the Acute Rehab Unit culminating with the ability to walk aided only by a half-walker in her right hand. On February 11 she had open brain surgery and the AVM was removed to prevent another bleed. She recovered in the Surgical ICU and went back for more therapy in the rehab hospital before going to a less intensive therapy facility.
On March 4 she moved to Woodridge Rehab Hospital in Berlin. She is being isolated for 2 weeks for COVID precautions, but she is delighted the food includes, hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza! She finished her isolation and had her first visit with Jessica!
In early April she got an accepted offer on her house and settled on The Blake in Charlottesville as an Assisted Living Community (they take cats!). She is now working out details of her move and disposing of or moving her household. In the meantime, she has conquered steps and migrated to a simple cane from the quad cane.
She had an uneventful medical transport from Berlin, VT to Charlottesville, VA, and arrived having slept much of the 12-hour trip. As she was taking in her new home at The Blake at Charlottesville she reflected on her 6 years in Vermont saying "Those were the best years of my life." Later she said, with a wry and crooked smile, "But this is my life now ."
Her daughter Jess and brother Bruce managed this site to keep family and friends up to date on her condition. There are some pictures in the Gallery section of Caring Bridge and some on YouTube at Ellen in the hospital - Vermont (
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLs1sGt_BQd5QSR0QpAjs9FbdGoemlHTCc).
Ellen appreciates all the kind words and encouragement in the comments!
Ellen's Family
