Caregiver for Stroke Survivor
My husband, Mike, and I will have our 5th wedding anniversary on March 10th. I have 2 step daughters that are both in college. We were looking forward to being empty nesters. On Memorial Day, 2016, Mike had a stroke at home at age 53. My step daughters were home but I was in Virginia visiting family and friends. I had talked to Mike at 6:30 that night and everything was fine. When I called again at 10pm, that is when my step daughters told me he had had a stroke around 8pm. I drove through the night to get home.Due to my husband's religious beliefs, he didn't seek medical treatment right away. They believe in healing through prayer. When we got married, I knew this and we had talked about what his wishes would be if he ever got hurt. Little did I know that we would be dealing with it so soon.
Mike did get a little better over the next 2 months but started plateauing. So he decided to go the medical route. I got him into a primary care doctor and neurologist. When he went for his first appointment, his blood pressure was through the roof. We were sent to the ER and he was admitted to ICU where he spent 8 days getting his blood pressure under control. He was then inpatient rehab for 3 weeks.
He has been in outpatient PT/OT/ST. Our lives have not been the same. He is paralyzed on the right side. He cannot use his right arm and hand. He has been learning to walk but is still in a wheelchair. He also has Aphasia. Working with his speech therapist, it is getting better but is still a struggle.
I insisted on my step daughters continuing with their education, so in the fall they both went away to school. Mike's church has been a hugh help with rides and such.
It is difficut for me to deal with. I do what needs to be done because it has to be done. I made a committment to Mike when we got married. I am only 44 and I am scared for what is to come or not come in the future.