Our wonderful friend Paul Porter

Paul Porter, lover of singer-songwriters, storytellers, and knot-tying, has been in the ICU for almost two weeks having suffered three strokes. You may know Paul as one of the founders of the Acoustic Concert Tours house concert series, or from his folk radio show, the Kerrville Folk Festival, or various Texas Storytelling events. Paul, who remains in the ICU with his wonderful wife Susan Gurvich at his side, hopefully soon on his way to rehab, needs all our prayers and good thoughts for comfort and healing.

Of equal importance, dear people, is monetary help. While Paul heals, neither he nor Susan can work. We are talking about at least weeks, if not months, of no income for Paul and Susan. That adds up to big debt and we all know that no illness is without outrageous expenses. But for today, not having to worry about mortgage payments, grocery bills, and exorbitant parking garage fees will help them focus on what’s really important—getting Paul back to his smiling self ASAP! With Susan’s blessing, I’m asking you to reach into your change jars, investment accounts and everything in between and help them now.

Please, please, please help Paul and Susan with whatever donation makes sense for you.

Below you will find Susan’s first Facebook posts about Paul’s condition. I urge you to follow Susan‘s Facebook page to get more information. She has been very, very good about keeping us all informed. And that saves her having to answer tons of phone calls, texts and emails.

Please help our friends Paul and Susan today, and share this info with anyone cares about them as you and I do.


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This from Susan via Facebook on Friday July 26th:


OK healers and prayer warriors, we need you.

Some time on Saturday night July 21st or Sunday morning, my Paul Porter had two small ischemic strokes, one on each side, in the thalamus. He has not been able to completely wake up since, and is currently in neuro ICU on a ventilator and a feeding tube.  The doctor said that the size and location of the strokes do not account for his inability to fully wake up. The good news is that he is not paralyzed, he can move his arms and legs on both sides. For a couple of days he has been sometimes briefly opening his eyes; he has sometimes been able to raise an eyebrow or nod/shake his head when you ask him questions, and today he had his eyes open for over 5 minutes at one time which is fabulous progress.  He has been running a fever, and they started him on some antibiotics but the fever is probably “neurogenic” meaning his body can’t regulate his temperature right now. But so far today his temp has been normal. The neurologist did another MRI today to make sure nothing else has happened and we are waiting for results. I expect the results to be good. Paul is almost weaned off the ventilator, but they can’t remove it until he is consistently alert because of concerns about aspiration.  Strokes are strange things and everybody reacts differently, and it may just take a while. I am encouraged today because he is actually breathing on his own and he was alert for longer than he has been yet.


This from Saturday, July 27th:

Paul Porter update—

Yesterday he was alert enough to have the ventilator tube removed, and to attempt to communicate, although his poor throat and tongue are so swollen from the tube that it has been difficult.  He is confused, asked why he had the tube in the first place and where he was. I told him, then suggested he rest his voice, and I would answer all his questions when he woke up, and I think he had his first real sleep since getting here.  Me too, by the way. This morning Paul was up in a chair, a little easier to understand, and he kept asking where he was, was he in Dallas, where in Dallas. But he remembered what I told him and when the doc came to see him, he was able to tell the doc he is in Dallas, which is huge.  He had a swallow evaluation, and he is not ready to be given food, so he is back on maintenance fluids. They have not put the feeding tube back in at this point. He’s had enough trauma to his poor throat. He also had physical therapy this morning, unfortunately while I was in the cafeteria for breakfast, but evidently they put him through his paces and he has been mostly sleeping ever since.  The physical therapist told me he is able to move arms and legs, and control his hands (which I already knew, actually), that he is doing well, and that he will have more PT on Monday.  

The neurologist came by a few minutes ago and explained the 2nd MRI results.  It seems that Paul had a THIRD tiny stroke (thank ALL the gods they are all tiny) they had not noticed before in the area called the mid brain.  This is in the brain stem and controls eye movement and alertness. That is why he is having such a hard time staying awake. The neurologist does not know what caused these little strokes.  His first theory was that it was a heart issue, but his echocardiogram was normal, his heart has been strong and steady, so he says he thinks that theory was wrong. The doc has been very supportive and encouraging, and has been great about giving me information and answer questions.  Everybody here has been, actually. The nurse who has been here for the day shift for the week cried last night when she left for the weekend, she has become really attached to both Paul and me, bless her sweet heart. The neurologist says he thinks it is almost time to transfer Paul to a rehab, and the social worker will come talk with me about that Monday.  I hope we can locate a good rehab facility near home, but I want the best possible care for Paul so if I have to drive further to be with him, so be it.  

Paul does not remember his visitors, and is not really sure who people are except for me.  I am hoping this means he will not remember being on the ventilator at all. But every time he wakes up, he is a little more clear, and that makes my heart feel good.

I am SO glad to have some good news to share with you.  Keep sending the healing energy, positive thoughts and prayers.  It is clearly making a difference.

Lots of love,

Susan