Team Tommy Stroke Recovery Fund

Insurance doesn't cover everything... From ICU to Acute Care to ICU to Acute Care to HOME.

at 9:39pm on March 29th 2023

"911 Please hold for the next available operator..."

Tommy was driving us home from dinner. We were laughing and talking until his speech was slurred out of nowhere. I asked him to repeat what he said. His speech was still slurred, and he hit the break awkwardly. I noticed the position of his hand. I told him to stop the car right now in the street. He did, and I threw it in park. I told him to smile. His smile was crooked. I told him to lift his arm. He could not lift his arm. I snatched the keys from the ignition, jumped out of the car, and ran to the driver's side. I unlocked the door and opened it assessing him while giving him instructions that he could not follow. I called 911 immediately despite my anxiety about the necessary interaction I would have with them. That's when I heard, "911, Please hold for the next available operator..." I started shouting for help. I stepped further into the middle of the street and saw a police car approaching me; terrified, I flagged them down with one hand while on hold with 911. I slowly and carefully explained what was happening and identified myself as a certified flight attendant and first responder in the sky trained to identify medical emergencies. As I explained, I was painfully aware of my tone, body language, and word choices as I stood between them and the car door. I knew he was becoming less responsive, confused, and trying to move in the driver's seat. My concern was the POLICE misinterpreting or having excited delirium at the sight of a six-foot-five Black Man reaching, grabbing, and trying to move, unaware of what was happening to him...

Thankfully, they listened and waited with me for paramedics and the fire department. He was taken to a nearby hospital specializing in Stroke and Trauma. It was determined he had suffered a life-threatening intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke. He was admitted to ICU on a ventilator. The next day he had an emergency craniectomy, removing part of his skull to relieve the pressure in his head from the swelling of his brain.

"Stroke is the #5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States." -Stroke.org

Intracerebral hemorrhage is a type of stroke that can cause severe disability for those who survive. Within 30 days, it has a mortality rate of 40% to 50%. After 90 days, only 27% of patients regain their functional independence.

Team Tommy's mission is to help him defy the odds through prayer, resources, the best available medical care, 24-hour home care, the highest quality of rehabilitation (preferably at The Shepherd's Center), and love; we believe Tommy will completely recover.

Tommy turned 50 in the hospital and could not attend his virtual Zoom party with friends and family.

THE SETBACK:

On May 26th, 2023, Tommy had an excruciating headache with swelling in the area of his head, missing part of his skull. He was taken from the acute care facility for a CT scan at the hospital, where he was rushed to the emergency and then immediately admitted to ICU due to a second bleed and multiple blood clots. He remained in the hospital for two weeks until he was returned to the acute care facility, losing some of his speech, occupational, and physical therapy progress. This was a demoralizing setback, YET he made a comeback.

On July 6th, 2023, Tommy was released from acute care to home, requiring 24-hour care not covered by insurance. The homecare covered by insurance sends a nurse and bath aid once weekly for 1-2 hours at a time determined via phone call the day before, and an occupational, physical, and speech therapist once weekly.

Tommy is fighting apraxia, aphasia, restricted physical abilities, preventing seizures, avoiding stroke recurrences, and this trauma's emotional and mental impact. He still requires a second surgery to replace the removed part of his skull. THIS IS A MARATHON that requires patience, determination, endurance, willpower, and an activated, engaged support system.

Thankfully he has health insurance, but there are many out-of-pocket expenses not covered (which do not include the basic costs of living), such as costs associated with: