Surviving Strong - Stroke Recovery
Donation protected
After 8 months of recovery and rehabilitation due to a massive stroke, my daughter Anna has now come to a place where we realize that she is unable to work at this time. She returned to work part time, with her employers doing everything they could to accommodate her and make it easier for her to do her job. But, after 3 months of trying and experiencing many setbacks, the time has come for her to focus primarily on her health and recovery.
After speaking with multiple doctors and therapists, it has been confirmed that the remaining damage is most likely permanent.
Her heart is broken, but she had to make the decision to leave the job that she loved so much.
So, we are in a very scary place financially. She is doing everything she can to make her way through this.
Any support you can give will be greatly appreciated and will help us to find a way to stabilize her future.
There will be a fundraiser for Anna on August 15 at the Ore Dock in Marquette from 5pm to 9pm.
Donations of food, household supplies and other day to day needs are also appreciated!
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November 16, 2017 - A Mother's Words
We were traveling back from a delightful visit with our son and daughter in law and grandchildren.
I texted my daughter Anna and our conversation took a scary turn.
Me: “How is the weather up there?”
Anna: “Snowy and blowy”
Then….“My head and neck are in bad shape. My vision in my left eye is getting winky”
She corrected herself: “Wonky”
Me: “Can you get a massage?”
Anna: “I don’t know that it will help. It is tender”
“Steadily losing vision in left eye. Getting blurred.blurrier.”
“Fell over. Coulsnt talk. Ambulance coming”
My heart! What was happening? It was over an hour before the hospital was able to contact us. Our daughter had suffered a stroke.
A stroke? Anna is 34 years old! A stroke?
When we arrived at the hospital, she was in ICU.
She couldn’t walk. She couldn’t talk. She couldn’t use her right arm. She was in severe pain.
Our hearts broke as we watched her small form lying in that hospital bed. The only word we could clearly understand was “why?” which she repeated over and over again as she struggled through the pain. But, she survived!
It is now 8 months later. 8 months of therapy and visits to doctors. 8 months of heading to the emergency room for “possible stroke sequelae.” 8 months of looking for the right formula for complete recovery. 8 months of hoping and praying that her recovery will be complete.
She has made remarkable progress. In some ways you would not know she is a stroke victim. She can walk, she can run. She is able to use her right arm. She looks normal to the outsider.
It’s the unseen things that are causing the most difficulties. I won’t go into detail, but her brain is still wounded. Her doctor said it is like “road rash” on the brain. She struggles with overstimulation (noise, lights and crowds), aphasia, fatigue, confusion, vision issues and she still can’t feel her right hand properly.
Can we help her get her life back? It will be a different life than the one she was planning. But, hopefully is one that will be still be successful for her. She has an enormous passion to do a lot of good in this world!
We are deeply grateful for the community support she has already received. Our sincere thanks to the many people who have reached out to help her get to this point in her recovery.
After speaking with multiple doctors and therapists, it has been confirmed that the remaining damage is most likely permanent.
Her heart is broken, but she had to make the decision to leave the job that she loved so much.
So, we are in a very scary place financially. She is doing everything she can to make her way through this.
Any support you can give will be greatly appreciated and will help us to find a way to stabilize her future.
There will be a fundraiser for Anna on August 15 at the Ore Dock in Marquette from 5pm to 9pm.
Donations of food, household supplies and other day to day needs are also appreciated!
------------------------
November 16, 2017 - A Mother's Words
We were traveling back from a delightful visit with our son and daughter in law and grandchildren.
I texted my daughter Anna and our conversation took a scary turn.
Me: “How is the weather up there?”
Anna: “Snowy and blowy”
Then….“My head and neck are in bad shape. My vision in my left eye is getting winky”
She corrected herself: “Wonky”
Me: “Can you get a massage?”
Anna: “I don’t know that it will help. It is tender”
“Steadily losing vision in left eye. Getting blurred.blurrier.”
“Fell over. Coulsnt talk. Ambulance coming”
My heart! What was happening? It was over an hour before the hospital was able to contact us. Our daughter had suffered a stroke.
A stroke? Anna is 34 years old! A stroke?
When we arrived at the hospital, she was in ICU.
She couldn’t walk. She couldn’t talk. She couldn’t use her right arm. She was in severe pain.
Our hearts broke as we watched her small form lying in that hospital bed. The only word we could clearly understand was “why?” which she repeated over and over again as she struggled through the pain. But, she survived!
It is now 8 months later. 8 months of therapy and visits to doctors. 8 months of heading to the emergency room for “possible stroke sequelae.” 8 months of looking for the right formula for complete recovery. 8 months of hoping and praying that her recovery will be complete.
She has made remarkable progress. In some ways you would not know she is a stroke victim. She can walk, she can run. She is able to use her right arm. She looks normal to the outsider.
It’s the unseen things that are causing the most difficulties. I won’t go into detail, but her brain is still wounded. Her doctor said it is like “road rash” on the brain. She struggles with overstimulation (noise, lights and crowds), aphasia, fatigue, confusion, vision issues and she still can’t feel her right hand properly.
Can we help her get her life back? It will be a different life than the one she was planning. But, hopefully is one that will be still be successful for her. She has an enormous passion to do a lot of good in this world!
We are deeply grateful for the community support she has already received. Our sincere thanks to the many people who have reached out to help her get to this point in her recovery.
Organizer
Kathy Dravland
Organizer
Marquette, MI