Josh's Recovery ♡

Story

Hi Everyone, I’ve yet to find the right time to say anything, let alone the right words. This is something I never imagined I would do. So, here goes nothing… July 24, 2024 at 1:24pm I received the hardest phone call a daughter can imagine. At 1:20pm, my hero, my best friend, my father had collapsed on a job site in Claremore, OK. I will forever thank the gentlemen who called me immediately & the men that got him to the hospital because an ambulance would not make it in time. I immediately left for OK trying my fastest to get to him. A call from the Dr came. It was confirmed. There was a blood clot in his brain. At 49 years old, the hardest working man I know suffered from an ischemic stroke. Due to the timely effort of his crew, the doctor was able to administer a “clot buster” followed by a scope within the required time, successfully breaking up the blood clot. They saved his life. However, he required much more intensive care than they could offer. Within 2 hours, he was transported to the Hillcrest Medical Center - Tulsa ICU neurological unit. I had no clue what the next few days, months or years this would bring, let alone that night. I was officially living an unimaginable nightmare. The next 8 days were spent in the ICU and consisted of countless scans, tests, doctors, needles, constant heartbreak, worry and wishing nothing more but to trade places with him. If you know my dad, you know that he gives his all no matter what the situation is. In those 8 days, I learned so many diagnoses, medical terms, the city of Tulsa and so on. But, I learned how truly strong my father is. The results of the stroke left him flaccid on the whole right side, with apraxia, aphasia and major memory loss. The most independent man I know was not able to move his limbs, communicate, eat, or even smile at me. But in only 8 days, he was ready to be moved to an impatient rehabilitation center in Wichita where we would spend the next month. Here we are 4 months later and with countless hours of speech, occupational, physical inpatient & outpatient therapy, he is now able to walk with the assistance of an AFO brace and a cane. But, still no mobility on the right shoulder to fingertips, we knew this would be the last to regain. His speech becomes better by the day, and we are able to communicate so well. If you’ve ever met Josh Travnichek, you’ll know that he’d give the shirt off his back or the last penny in his pocket to anyone without hesitation. He’ll drop everything at the moment to help everyone. He has never had it easy but never asked for help. Although this world has been so unfair to him, he still wakes up daily, makes his bed and tells me he loves me. Seeing him being dealt this hand, I will question every day “why him?” My dad has worked for the railroad since 18 years old. Working from +100° to -0°, missing birthdays and holidays. He has devoted his whole life to them. If he had any idea I was creating this, he would find a way to shoot me in the foot, as he should. He’s never asked for help in his life, and he’s raised me to do the same. I am who I am because of him. Although I have an army of support behind me, I can’t help but feel like I’ve failed him. My wages aren’t cutting it. As the days pass, more financial burdens hit. Not only for us, but everyone. 100’s of documents filed and phone calls I’ve made, only to see our bank accounts deplete and no word from the railroad. We all know short-term disability can take up to 3 years. Seeing this happen to someone who not only became incapacitated, and knows it, but with such a big heart is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. This year has been so unfair and everything but easy on everyone. If these last 5 months have taught me anything, it’s making time. Materialistic things will come and go, but you’ll never be able to get unspent time back. Make as many memories and hold them dear to your heart. I cannot thank our support system enough. If you’ve taken the time to read our story, thank you. Happy Holidays with love, -The Travnichek’s