Help Beth Recover from her Stroke

On May 26, my mother Beth Gray suffered a massive stroke while sitting outside enjoying the morning air. One moment, she admitted to not feeling well but was readily discussing plans for her vegetable garden; the next, her entire right side was paralyzed, and she could only manage the word "no."

We were extremely lucky in that her husband was able to recognize the symptoms and call an ambulance immediately; she was lifeflighted to Lehigh Valley Cedar Crest, which has been providing the best care imaginable for her.

The first day, Beth was confused and could only manage a few words; the next, longer phrases; the next, she was starting to manage sentences. After a week, the confusion began to lift like a morning fog in the growing brightness of the day. She finally slept. Every day she became more herself again and more frustrated with her limitations.

After two weeks in the Neuroscience ward, she was released to Intensive Inpatient Rehab. As of June 12, her care team projected that she would be able to return home by the 19th – less than a month since the stroke. She’s been working VERY hard in her rehab, but still has quite a road ahead of her. And we are so very grateful that the road goes on, after all.

It will take in-home care after her release, and then outpatient rehab, but the doctors predict a full recovery.

She and her husband Dan (my father) are both retired, with income just enough to cover the usual bills. I've picked up what costs I can on top of my usual contributions to the household, but there's not much room left in the budget for anything except the necessary costs of traveling an hour each way daily to visit her.

We've applied for all the financial assistance available, but of course that won't cover everything. My father has said (in full seriousness) that he's willing to simply pay the hospital the few dollars he can afford every month for the rest of his life and consider it a good trade for his wife's life, but I'd like to ease his burden even a little bit.

Thank you so much for anything you can spare!