Member Profiles
CAROL
On November 29, 2001 I received a call from
Florida that my mother age 80 had a massive stroke. Mom was in ICU and had the
life support system hooked up.
When I arrived in Florida on Dec 2 I was told by all the doctors that mom would
NEVER leave the hospital. My mother was paralyzed on the entire right side, she
was not responding to anyone she just laid there.
After all the neurology testing and cat scans were finished the prognosis did
not look good. Being the only daughter I had the Durable Power of Attorney for
health and it was suggested by the doctors that it was time to take her off of
life support. This was a difficult thing for me to do but I knew it was my
mother's wishes so I agreed to this.
The following morning we went to the hospital and my mother was awake, making
sounds and trying to say words. Needless to say I was in total amazement. Over
the course of one week with the help of all the doctors, nurses, and therapists
my mother was talking and comprehending some things. Keeping in mind she
couldn't feed herself as she had a stroke 2 years before that left her left hand
paralyzed and this time it was the right side. Mom couldn't walk or even sit up
alone in the wheelchair she had to be tied in. It was great that she was alive
but also a very heart breaking situation.
The therapists worked on her immediately and by the end of l0 days she was
released to the nursing home. Mom still couldn't do anything for herself she
needed 24 hour care.
Five weeks later my mother was using her right arm, the right leg was once again
working and she was walking and I don't mean with a walker I mean on her own 2
legs. Mom learned to feed herself and also learned all the basic things that we
take for granted.
Today is 10 weeks from the stroke, my mother is out of the nursing home, back at
her own house with her husband. The only problems she is having are of course
the short term memory things and re-learning how to function in the home again.
But the bottom line is she is alive and once again living almost a normal life.
This is a woman that was never suppose to leave the hospital alive.
My mom told me that she remembers laying in the hospital bed thinking do I just
close my eyes and die or do I fight to live. My mother is only 4' 8", and weighs
about 95 lbs but this lady is a true fighter! So don't let anyone tell you there
are not MIRACLES because we have just experienced one.
To all of you out there just remember no matter what your situation is DON'T
GIVE UP!
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