Help for Michel and Jeanne after his Stroke
Donation protected
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to read about our family’s struggles over the last few months. We are a family that often gives a helping hand to those in need and are now in a position that leaves us in need of help.
In October of 2020, Michel Berard lost his job due to needing a hip replacement which he has been waiting to receive for over 5 years. On Monday, January 25th he was supposed to have X-rays done to start the process for his hip surgery but was unable to attend. Due to COVID, at the time he lost his job we had a hard time obtaining the papers needed for Michel to receive disability EI and only began receiving those benefits in December.
Just as Michel was about to have more tests ran to prepare for his hip replacement, on January 24th in the early afternoon, he had a stroke. With the quick actions of his wife, sons, and the paramedics, Michel was brought to HSC by ambulance and arrived at the hospital in time to receive tPA. Michel had a clot in one of the arteries that feeds the back part of the brain, his blood pressure and sugar levels were also very high.
The stroke area is very large and has affected his occipital lobe. Our family has not been able to be with Michel in the hospital, but while he was at HSC we video called him often and we were able to see some progress in his recovery. While at HSC they worked on getting his blood pressure and sugar levels controlled and started with some therapies. He was transported to Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach on February 2nd to start rehabilitation. There is no known timeframe for his recovery at this time, but we do know that the stroke effected the left side of his brain; he has vision loss on his right side; the right side of his body is weak, almost like he is unaware of it as per a discussion with one of his nurses; he has been confused off and on; he has aphasia, which means he often searches for the right words or uses wrong words for things.
Since he was transported to Steinbach, we have been unable to video call him and it seems as though he is regressing, not progressing. We feel that he needs his family to give him the best chance for his recovery, and so we are reaching out for help.
After a discussion with a nurse on Friday, February 5th, we know that Michel suffered a second stroke on the back right side of his brain affecting the left side of his body.
He will need plenty of help with mobility. He has required a wheelchair at the hospital as he can only tolerate about an hour of being up at a time and then becomes quite exhausted, they have needed to use a mechanical lift to help him up as well. He will also need a bed that is able to incline, this is to make it easier for him to get in and out of bed while he recovers as well as decrease his risk of choking while eating or sleeping.
We want to make sure Michel can return home safely, but we need help to ensure we have everything he needs in our home. We also no longer have medical coverage, as his benefits terminated when he lost his job, and Michel now requires more medications to keep his blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes under control.
We ask, if you are able, for help with these expenses. We are very thankful for the support we have already received from our family and friends, and are thankful, in advance, for any contributions to our expenses.
In October of 2020, Michel Berard lost his job due to needing a hip replacement which he has been waiting to receive for over 5 years. On Monday, January 25th he was supposed to have X-rays done to start the process for his hip surgery but was unable to attend. Due to COVID, at the time he lost his job we had a hard time obtaining the papers needed for Michel to receive disability EI and only began receiving those benefits in December.
Just as Michel was about to have more tests ran to prepare for his hip replacement, on January 24th in the early afternoon, he had a stroke. With the quick actions of his wife, sons, and the paramedics, Michel was brought to HSC by ambulance and arrived at the hospital in time to receive tPA. Michel had a clot in one of the arteries that feeds the back part of the brain, his blood pressure and sugar levels were also very high.
The stroke area is very large and has affected his occipital lobe. Our family has not been able to be with Michel in the hospital, but while he was at HSC we video called him often and we were able to see some progress in his recovery. While at HSC they worked on getting his blood pressure and sugar levels controlled and started with some therapies. He was transported to Bethesda Regional Health Centre in Steinbach on February 2nd to start rehabilitation. There is no known timeframe for his recovery at this time, but we do know that the stroke effected the left side of his brain; he has vision loss on his right side; the right side of his body is weak, almost like he is unaware of it as per a discussion with one of his nurses; he has been confused off and on; he has aphasia, which means he often searches for the right words or uses wrong words for things.
Since he was transported to Steinbach, we have been unable to video call him and it seems as though he is regressing, not progressing. We feel that he needs his family to give him the best chance for his recovery, and so we are reaching out for help.
After a discussion with a nurse on Friday, February 5th, we know that Michel suffered a second stroke on the back right side of his brain affecting the left side of his body.
He will need plenty of help with mobility. He has required a wheelchair at the hospital as he can only tolerate about an hour of being up at a time and then becomes quite exhausted, they have needed to use a mechanical lift to help him up as well. He will also need a bed that is able to incline, this is to make it easier for him to get in and out of bed while he recovers as well as decrease his risk of choking while eating or sleeping.
We want to make sure Michel can return home safely, but we need help to ensure we have everything he needs in our home. We also no longer have medical coverage, as his benefits terminated when he lost his job, and Michel now requires more medications to keep his blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes under control.
We ask, if you are able, for help with these expenses. We are very thankful for the support we have already received from our family and friends, and are thankful, in advance, for any contributions to our expenses.
Organizer
Suzette Berard
Organizer
Ste Anne, MB