Chelle Pyeatt's Road to Recovery After Stroke

I am fundraising for my dear friend of over 40 years, Chelle Pyeatt. On Friday, January 12, 2024, Chelle experienced a life-altering event and was brought to the Emergency Room in Helena, MT with stroke symptoms. The neurologist confirmed that she did suffer a stroke and doctors have told the family that it appears to have been a brain stem stroke due to a vessel blockage. Thankfully, the medical team acted quickly and administered the necessary TPA medication within the critical window of time to help break up the clot and reverse some of the effects of the stroke.

Following her initial treatment, Chelle was flown to Great Falls Benefis Hospital, where she was admitted to the ICU. She has made a good deal of progress since her arrival. However, she still faces challenges and deficits, particularly on her right side. Additionally, her speech and ability to swallow have been affected, although there are signs of gradual improvement.

In the coming days, Chelle will be transitioning from the ICU to a regular room, and once she is ready, she will be transferred to an inpatient rehab center in Great Falls for an extended period of time, possibly a few weeks. Her recovery journey will be characterized by both progress and setbacks, making it difficult to predict her future needs at this point.

Despite the challenges she faces, Chelle's resilient spirit shines through. She maintains her sense of humor and positive outlook on life, which is truly a blessing. She continues to crack jokes and even laugh at ours! Chelle has always gone above and beyond to support her friends, family, and students without hesitation, and now it is our turn to rally around her during this difficult time.

One of the primary goals of this fundraising campaign is to raise enough funds to help cover Chelle's medical expenses, including her deductible. We also want to ensure that any potential financial burdens she may encounter, particularly if she is unable to return to teaching once her paid leave runs out, are alleviated. The hope is to provide Chelle with the necessary support and resources she needs to focus on her recovery and regain her strength.

Your kindness, generosity, and prayers are appreciated! I will post updates on Chelle's progress as I get them. Thank you!