UPDATE #8 Support Rene Pastor's Stroke Recovery

My name is Cristina Pastor, a newspaper reporter, wife, and mother of one.

Early morning of June 29, I saw my husband, Rene, sprawled on the floor trying to get up. I was in the same room doing editing work and yet I did not hear anything, not a thud, not a call for my name, not a cry for help.

The doctor said Rene had a ‘significant stroke.’ His speech is impaired and his right side paralyzed. He’s been in the hospital for a week now.

He is supposed to be transferred to a rehab facility but his insurance has yet to be straightened out. I have no idea what medical services he’s entitled to, how much he pays, etc. The cost staring me in the face is enormous. I would be thankful to all of you if you could help out our family.

UPDATE: Rene had a second fall about 3 days ago July 11. Doctors said they are still investigating how it happened, and if it looked like he had a second stroke. He’s back at ICU and has been intubated to allow breathing. Let's continue to pray for him.

UPDATE#2 July 18: Rene has been extubated. He is starting to open his eyes and can move his hands and feet. His mouth can make some sounds but still no words coming out. Nurse said he’s making good progress.

UPDATE #3 July 22: Spoke to his doctor. She said Rene is “much better” and he’s “gradually improving.” He has been downgraded from ICU to PCU and no longer requires critical care. He is able to vocalize, can say yes or no, says “Philippines” and says his name. This morning, he was able to stand. In a matter of days with a bit of muscle strength he may be sent back to Kessler for his much-delayed rehab/therapy treatments.

UPDATE #4 Aug 1: It’s a good day. Rene was finally transferred back to the rehab facility in West Orange. His physical and speech therapies begin tomorrow. He is responsive, following commands to ‘touch your head, nose,’ ‘squeeze my hand’ but his speech remains slurred. The hospital offered to assist with POA issue so that appears to be on the way to being resolved.

UPDATE #5 Aug 7: He is responding well to rehab as seen in these pics. His speech is improving slightly but still incoherent.

UPDATE #6 Aug 17: A little bit of a setback. He accidentally pulled his feeding tube and so he was sent to Cooperman Barnabas to have it reinserted. CB is his 4th hospital. He was doing well at rehab. He can count 1 to 10, remembers the days of the week and the months of the year, he was telling spectacular stories, can write his name with his right hand, etc. He actually made a friend! His therapist is really happy for his progress. And then this…Doc says he should be back at rehab in a week.

Update #7 Aug 19: Thank you all!

We just reached our fundraising goal and we would like to thank all of you who have been most generous. When we reached out, you all came through for Rene, whether you’re a friend from elementary/HS/college, a colleague from work, family, a co-teacher, a former student, even family of friends, etc. Truly, he is loved by many.

Just to report on where your donations went, the biggest chunk went to doctors’ and specialists’ fees and to transportation from home to hospitals and back. He’s been through 4 hospitals. Bills for ambulance services are trickling in. Although insurance pays much of it, there are co-pays left for the family to settle. There are other bills for food, lawyers and notary for POA and legal stuff as I go through his bank accounts, insurance, and other financials. Getting a bathroom renov (to remove the tub) is something the family is exploring.

More charges are expected as he returns home, with caregiving service fees top of them. Case managers and social workers are most helpful navigating the system to find resources for families. Our health care system is not ideal because doctors and medicine are so expensive, but at least in the US, patients are treated first and not held hostage if they have no money for DP. That is so inhuman.

Update #8 Sept 3: Rene is looking forward to coming home. He has a discharge date of Sept 14. While he is not fully up and about yet, his recovery appears to be on track despite a couple of setbacks. He will continue to heal and get strong at home under my care and a caregiver.

In these photos he is practicing to walk and transfer from walker/wheelchair to bed and car. Insurance can provide a hospital bed with bed rails but since we live in a small condo I said our bed will do. He did very well. With some assist, he can walk and go up and down stairs. He can also navigate a toilet commode. So far so good. Hope caregiver is not too pricey. I’m looking for one with some hospital experience because he will continue to eat via a feeding tube which I will have to direct. I will also be giving insulin shots.

Two months and 16 days!

Cristina