Today marks ONE year since Joe had his stroke. 

On February 11, 2020, Joe had a severe headache and was not making sense when he talked. He was rushed to United Hospital Center then immediately to Ruby Memorial Hospital. We quickly found out he had a small stroke with certainty that he would recover quickly. While in the hospital, things took a turn for the worst. He had another stroke, but this time a massive left hemorrhagic stroke. The bleed was so severe that it ended up pushing the left part of the brain toward the right part of the brain. Our family had to make an immediate decision to take him into surgery to remove the left part of his skull and reduce the pressure. 

We understood the the risk involved and the difficulty of the road ahead. We were told of the high possibility that Joe may never again independently eat, breathe, walk, move, or talk. We put our trust in the medical team at Ruby along with the strong support from our family and friends. 

After surgery, Joe stayed in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit at Ruby Memorial Hospital. He was on a ventilator, feeding tube, and highly monitored for over a month. Once stable, he went directly to Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital in Morgantown. He remained on the ventilator, was fed only through a tube, and communicated by squeezing our hands and blinking his eyes. He had to be lifted out of bed by a machine, needed full support to stand and walk, and was not able to use the bathroom on his own. Once strong enough to breathe on his own, he no longer needed a ventilator and was transferred to Mapleshire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He continued therapy services at this facility. At this time, the global pandemic restricted all visitors including family. We were able to visit through glass windows. Due to Joe’s limited mobility and communication, this seemed more upsetting rather than uplifting to him. 

He continued to gain strength and was able to come home in June 2020. His bone flap (left skull piece) was put back into place and his feeding tube was removed. He continued therapy through United Hospital Center Home Health. His team of therapists worked hard to get him strong enough to function and complete basic tasks around the house. Joe gained strength and confidence enough to move forward to outpatient services. From August 2020 until now, he has been going to Bridgeport Physical Therapy for physical and occupational therapy. He continues to work on his communication skills with in-home speech therapy. He still has weakness on his right side, but daily exercises are helping to gain strength. He understands and has a great memory, but cannot always get the right words out to answer questions or name things. His right hand still cramps up, but he is able lift and turn it once he stretches.

Joe is now able to independently use the bathroom, shower, change his clothes, eat, navigate his phone, FaceTime with family and friends, watch and listen to the TV, go up and down steps, walk around with a cane, and walk short distances without a cane. Realizing the severity of his stroke, we never believed he would be where he is today. He continues to show motivation and progress daily. 

We see the most progress when he is talking with friends on the phone or video chat. He cannot wait until it is safe enough to be around people and talk to everyone. Send us a message or give him a call sometime. He may seem jumbled at the beginning of the conversation, but eventually gathers his thoughts and is able to make sense of his words.

We are deeply thankful for the constant stream of outpouring love over the past year from our family and friends.

If you want to learn more about Joe’s journey, visit

www.caringbridge.org/visit/joedefazio

To you and your family, stay safe and healthy. 

-The Joe DeFazio Family