nurserentel.blogspot.com

Billy Rentel is a frontline healthcare hero who has dedicated his life taking care of others. Now, him and his family need help during this difficult time while Billy heals. 

On 10/11/2020 The hospital confirmed that Billy had a stroke by CT scan and MRI. Unsure of the root cause as he is only 44 and in good health and works out 2-3 times a week. Possibly related to when we had COVID-19 back in March which made him more susceptible to hyper coagulation combined with his type 1 diabetes. It's affecting the right occipital lobe PCA distribution. He started with violent nausea and vomiting then it progressed into an awful headache, dizziness, and confusion. Each day he has continued to get better and better. After being admitted to the Brain and Spine hospital, he spent over a week at Dodd for stroke rehabilitation. He is now home (just in time for his 45th birthday on October 26th!), but does require frequent doctor visits as well as physical therapy and occupational therapy at least two times a week. He has left field neglect, some confusion, and gets overstimulated easily. He will require a minimum of 6 months of therapy, but possibly up to an entire year before they can determine what his “new norm” will be. The loss of independence is grieved as well as one's identity. Especially when things come on suddenly and the preparation for this loss hadn't been established. Billy dedicated his life to caring for others. Earlier this year he battled COVID-19 and survived. Afterwards has worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to take care of the sickest of patients including those losing the battle. Now, he has suffered a massive stroke and has survived yet again. This hero, despite everything, continues to fight. We know this will not be an easy road ahead, but with time and patience we will get to a new normal moving forward.