Cheryl Diffin's Stroke Recovery
Donation protected
On February 28th, 2014, Cheryl suffered from a subarachnoid hemorrhage. An anuerysm burst and caused bleeding to put pressure on the brain.
She was given a 50/50 chance of surviving the first 24 hours. Thankfully she did.
After the doctors went in to fix the bleed, Cheryl woke up and seemed fine. She was responsive and even joking around with the doctors and the nurses. It looked as if she would pull through with little to no permanent damage.
Six days later, Cheryl slipped into a "light coma" and fell victim to a severe stroke caused by vassospasms. The stroke wiped out her ability to control the left side of her body and the ability to talk, as well as, understand.
After spending a little over a month in ICU, the doctor's "checked out" stating that they've done "all they could medically do." She was transffered to a nursing facility where we were told that it was most likely that she would never walk or talk again.
In the 63 days that she was there, Cheryl regained her ability to stand for short periods and walk short distances. Even still, she still lacked the cognition to iniate sitting and standing on her own and still didn't have control over her left arm.
Feeling that she was ready for the next step, she was transffered to acute rehab. It was there that she begun to say a few words, but still couldn't "have a conversation" or understand enough to contribute to her healthcare.
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After 127 days total, in three different facilities, Cheryl was sent home and was enrolled in an intense in-home rehab program which she is still a part of today. She has yet to regain control enough to sit or stand on her own, but she's made HUGE gains.
Her speech and cognition has gotten better. There are even times where she is lucid enough to have a short conversation. Even with the gains that she's made, there is LONG road of recovery ahead of her.
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When all of this began, Cheryl didn't have insurance. Becase of this, she accumulated a little over $100,000 in medical bills. She had to give up her apartment, sell many of her things and, worst of all, say goodbye to her beloved parrots. Birds that she took care of for a better part of a decade.
Cheryl has spent most of her life caring for others. From her sick parents (both who died from cancer), to her siblings, to her 23 year old daughter, to her dearest friends. She has always put other's needs in front of her own.
Now it's time for her to focus on herself and her recovery. It's not the time for her to worry about the roof over her head or the pile of bills that accrues on a weekly basis.
With your help, Cheryl can continue to improve worry free. Please, even the smallest amount can help.
Thank you!
She was given a 50/50 chance of surviving the first 24 hours. Thankfully she did.
After the doctors went in to fix the bleed, Cheryl woke up and seemed fine. She was responsive and even joking around with the doctors and the nurses. It looked as if she would pull through with little to no permanent damage.
Six days later, Cheryl slipped into a "light coma" and fell victim to a severe stroke caused by vassospasms. The stroke wiped out her ability to control the left side of her body and the ability to talk, as well as, understand.
After spending a little over a month in ICU, the doctor's "checked out" stating that they've done "all they could medically do." She was transffered to a nursing facility where we were told that it was most likely that she would never walk or talk again.
In the 63 days that she was there, Cheryl regained her ability to stand for short periods and walk short distances. Even still, she still lacked the cognition to iniate sitting and standing on her own and still didn't have control over her left arm.
Feeling that she was ready for the next step, she was transffered to acute rehab. It was there that she begun to say a few words, but still couldn't "have a conversation" or understand enough to contribute to her healthcare.
<iframe media_type="2" media_id="111667983" class="youtube-replace" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/111667983" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen style="margin-bottom:20px"></iframe>
After 127 days total, in three different facilities, Cheryl was sent home and was enrolled in an intense in-home rehab program which she is still a part of today. She has yet to regain control enough to sit or stand on her own, but she's made HUGE gains.
Her speech and cognition has gotten better. There are even times where she is lucid enough to have a short conversation. Even with the gains that she's made, there is LONG road of recovery ahead of her.
<iframe media_type="2" media_id="111668388" class="youtube-replace" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/111668388" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen style="margin-bottom:20px"></iframe>
When all of this began, Cheryl didn't have insurance. Becase of this, she accumulated a little over $100,000 in medical bills. She had to give up her apartment, sell many of her things and, worst of all, say goodbye to her beloved parrots. Birds that she took care of for a better part of a decade.
Cheryl has spent most of her life caring for others. From her sick parents (both who died from cancer), to her siblings, to her 23 year old daughter, to her dearest friends. She has always put other's needs in front of her own.
Now it's time for her to focus on herself and her recovery. It's not the time for her to worry about the roof over her head or the pile of bills that accrues on a weekly basis.
With your help, Cheryl can continue to improve worry free. Please, even the smallest amount can help.
Thank you!
Organizer
Manny Fonseca
Organizer
Long Beach, CA
