Journal entry by christine wiechmann —
On the morning of June 23rd Theresa called 911 because she couldn’t stand up to get out of bed, had slurred speech and couldn’t hold her phone with her right hand. Once in the emergency room a CT scan confirmed that she was having a stroke from a clot in the left side of her brain. Because of her quick thinking and immediate call to 911 for an ambulance, she got to the hospital early enough into her stroke symptoms that she was able to receive a IV tPA (a clot busting medication effective only for early onset stroke symptoms.) Thank the Lord!!! Her only daughter Rayna, met her in the emergency room.
Theresa spent the first 24 hours in the ICU at Methodist hospital where they monitored her very closely and performed multiple tests on her heart and blood. While in ICU her stroke symptoms worsened. She had another CT scan, MRI, and echo on her heart. Her daughter, Rayna did not leave her side.
The neurologist told them that the stroke was much larger than he expected to see and was surprised that she wasn’t in a worse condition.
The cardiologist was worried about her heart and wanted to perform a stress test to see if her heart was working properly but wanted to wait as to not add more actual stress!
Theresa was then moved to a room on the neurology floor where she spent four more days being monitored. She was then released to go to an intensive rehab program at North Memorial Robbinsdale where she spent two weeks getting intensive rehab. Rayna continue d to support her mother by staying many nights with her there.
Theresa entered the rehab not being able to walk, had no mobility in her right arm and hand, had slurred speech and aphasia. With lots of work Theresa left the rehab Being able to walk with a cane, much more mobility in her right arm and hand but still having a hard time with speech and aphasia. Theresa and her daughter are so thankful for the staff that worked with her and pushed her and encouraged her throughout the process.
Her daughter Rayna missed weeks of work and time with her children, had much financial strain with the cost of driving and parking at the hospital. Theresa is now living with her daughter and grandchildren is still going to multiple doctor appointments every week and is looking at ongoing weekly therapy appointments.
Theresa ‘s out of pocket for her insurance was $8000 and the bills are rolling in. At this time The need for them at this time is financial and volunteers to help get Theresa to and from weekly therapy appointments.
One month after the stroke Theresa had the stress test done on her heart. Results came back with a good report! There are no concerns with her heart. No surgery or invasive actions need to be taken. There are no answers at this point as to why Theresa had her stroke.
Praying for a total and complete restoration for her mind and body, but she will be able to go home and be independent, that she will be able to drive and get back to work as soon as possible.
Theresa spent the first 24 hours in the ICU at Methodist hospital where they monitored her very closely and performed multiple tests on her heart and blood. While in ICU her stroke symptoms worsened. She had another CT scan, MRI, and echo on her heart. Her daughter, Rayna did not leave her side.
The neurologist told them that the stroke was much larger than he expected to see and was surprised that she wasn’t in a worse condition.
The cardiologist was worried about her heart and wanted to perform a stress test to see if her heart was working properly but wanted to wait as to not add more actual stress!
Theresa was then moved to a room on the neurology floor where she spent four more days being monitored. She was then released to go to an intensive rehab program at North Memorial Robbinsdale where she spent two weeks getting intensive rehab. Rayna continue d to support her mother by staying many nights with her there.
Theresa entered the rehab not being able to walk, had no mobility in her right arm and hand, had slurred speech and aphasia. With lots of work Theresa left the rehab Being able to walk with a cane, much more mobility in her right arm and hand but still having a hard time with speech and aphasia. Theresa and her daughter are so thankful for the staff that worked with her and pushed her and encouraged her throughout the process.
Her daughter Rayna missed weeks of work and time with her children, had much financial strain with the cost of driving and parking at the hospital. Theresa is now living with her daughter and grandchildren is still going to multiple doctor appointments every week and is looking at ongoing weekly therapy appointments.
Theresa ‘s out of pocket for her insurance was $8000 and the bills are rolling in. At this time The need for them at this time is financial and volunteers to help get Theresa to and from weekly therapy appointments.
One month after the stroke Theresa had the stress test done on her heart. Results came back with a good report! There are no concerns with her heart. No surgery or invasive actions need to be taken. There are no answers at this point as to why Theresa had her stroke.
Praying for a total and complete restoration for her mind and body, but she will be able to go home and be independent, that she will be able to drive and get back to work as soon as possible.
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Theresa Stay Connected to Family and Friends
A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Theresa's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?
