On March 18th, 2020 I had a devastating stroke while in post-operative care after having surgery. What started out as being a Day Surgery procedure, turned into a month of hospitalizations from being airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital for emergency stroke event care, to a week later of being transferred to an in-patient PT (physical therapy) care unit to start the journey of recovery.
In the beginning the entire right half of my body failed to respond neither correctly — or at all to what I (my mind) was asking of it. My vision was cut off as if someone was holding a cover over part of my face; my tongue and lips were numbed like from the dentist, and I choked simply on my own saliva; my arm and hand were ‘floating appendages’ in motion of their own accord; and my leg from hip to toes laid there like a mannequin, absent of motion or life with my foot stuck downward. Bodily functions were, well, not so functional.
The amazing team of specialists worked tirelessly day and night with diagnostics and treatments working against the clock to start restoring the connection of brain-to-body function from 100% failure to respond, down to 75% failure to respond prior to transferring to the PT facility.
Pictured is the contraption that helped me learn to walk again, and later a “show me your smile” pic for telehealth; a requested task memorable from the day of my stroke.
And then a nation in sorrow from the Pandemic…so much loss, a tragedy no words can truly be worthy of explaining.
Meanwhile life has unfolded literally a step at a time, from wheelchair to walker; from being 100% dependent on assistance to fairly independent living with 50% dependence on outside help—and still homebound struggling with cognitive and physical deficits that impact my ability to function well and to return to 100% independent living including making a living again for myself and being able to drive my car. For example, I still have this drop foot condition where my brain continues to send signals that contract my leg muscle to pull my foot in a painful direction that holds with great resistance to keeping my foot in an inflexible state. I even have abrasions now from my foot twisting and turning in my shoe. (by the way, I’m currently on my fourth round of physical therapy for this condition)
In case you are curious, skills on hold for making a living are: successful shamanic healing practice for 20+ years, Minister of Walking Prayer since 2014 (spiritual counseling/wedding officiant), award winning artist, and fiction short story writer.
The treatments that will truly help me are scientifically tested with proven results and will restore brain dysfunction responsible for my deficits, BUT they are not yet covered by medical insurance. I cannot blame my medical community for this because they can only work in the confinements of policy and procedure dictated by insurance and by what is considered “a reasonable level of function that is good enough…” based on how devastating my initial condition was.
For me, I don’t think “good enough” is acceptable. Good enough, doesn’t put food on the table or pay my bills. Good enough, doesn’t restore my cognitive issues and brain function for visual problems, inability to walk and talk well, or write well, or prepare and cook food without lack of concentration and coordination. Good enough, doesn't fix needing outside help to assist me in so much. Good enough, doesn't stop the depression and emotional breakdowns I have daily dealing with the grief of loss of self (I'm grateful for the professional guidance getting me through that!).
Taking matters into my own hands, the recommended treatment facility I am seeking help with getting the funding to attend is:
“Revive Center” in Colorado. (you are welcome to look it up.) It is a world-renowned neurological rehabilitation and optimization facility that transforms the lives of brain injury survivors, (like me) restoring function and quality of life for their patients. They lead the way in optimizing brain function for healthy brains for individuals who wish to maximize their cognitive abilities, living a more full life and ensuring longevity as they age.
What they do:
Immersion 10-15 day intensive
• Extensive diagnostic testing and evaluation
• 10-15 days of neurological therapies
• Metabolic support via IV infusions
• Regenerative Therapies
• Nutrition & Functional Medicine
• Mindset coaching & meditation guidance
Integration at home
• 90-day customized at-home plan for continued improvements
• Regularly scheduled phone calls, video calls, and email support
• Enrollment in the Revive mobile app
• Customized nutritional plan, supplementation
Being an out-patient facility, the cost of treatment plus travel, lodging (for me and a caregiver), and meals is an estimated total of around $32K.
Why help me? What makes me so special?
I am simply a compassionate caring woman, a daughter, a mother, a grandmother, a fellow human being reaching out to those of you who are in a position to help. I'm not on a deathbed (that I know of), but life has become quite concerning; for example, the deterioration of my foot over the last year will continue as treating the developing skin abrasions and bone bruising instead of the brain dysfunction at the root of the problem will eventually result in uncontrolled infections and serious bone issues…I will spare you the rest.
So please, I choose to reach out because I truly believe that with the courage to ask for help comes the blessing of receiving help. So, with that, I ask for your help.
Because I know all things are possible when community comes together, I would be grateful to be blessed with the needed funding to enroll for treatment by July (or sooner).
So grateful for your time and donation.
May the blessings pour out upon YOU!
Written (with some assistance) by Sandra.
In the beginning the entire right half of my body failed to respond neither correctly — or at all to what I (my mind) was asking of it. My vision was cut off as if someone was holding a cover over part of my face; my tongue and lips were numbed like from the dentist, and I choked simply on my own saliva; my arm and hand were ‘floating appendages’ in motion of their own accord; and my leg from hip to toes laid there like a mannequin, absent of motion or life with my foot stuck downward. Bodily functions were, well, not so functional.
The amazing team of specialists worked tirelessly day and night with diagnostics and treatments working against the clock to start restoring the connection of brain-to-body function from 100% failure to respond, down to 75% failure to respond prior to transferring to the PT facility.
Pictured is the contraption that helped me learn to walk again, and later a “show me your smile” pic for telehealth; a requested task memorable from the day of my stroke.
And then a nation in sorrow from the Pandemic…so much loss, a tragedy no words can truly be worthy of explaining.
Meanwhile life has unfolded literally a step at a time, from wheelchair to walker; from being 100% dependent on assistance to fairly independent living with 50% dependence on outside help—and still homebound struggling with cognitive and physical deficits that impact my ability to function well and to return to 100% independent living including making a living again for myself and being able to drive my car. For example, I still have this drop foot condition where my brain continues to send signals that contract my leg muscle to pull my foot in a painful direction that holds with great resistance to keeping my foot in an inflexible state. I even have abrasions now from my foot twisting and turning in my shoe. (by the way, I’m currently on my fourth round of physical therapy for this condition)
In case you are curious, skills on hold for making a living are: successful shamanic healing practice for 20+ years, Minister of Walking Prayer since 2014 (spiritual counseling/wedding officiant), award winning artist, and fiction short story writer.
The treatments that will truly help me are scientifically tested with proven results and will restore brain dysfunction responsible for my deficits, BUT they are not yet covered by medical insurance. I cannot blame my medical community for this because they can only work in the confinements of policy and procedure dictated by insurance and by what is considered “a reasonable level of function that is good enough…” based on how devastating my initial condition was.
For me, I don’t think “good enough” is acceptable. Good enough, doesn’t put food on the table or pay my bills. Good enough, doesn’t restore my cognitive issues and brain function for visual problems, inability to walk and talk well, or write well, or prepare and cook food without lack of concentration and coordination. Good enough, doesn't fix needing outside help to assist me in so much. Good enough, doesn't stop the depression and emotional breakdowns I have daily dealing with the grief of loss of self (I'm grateful for the professional guidance getting me through that!).
Taking matters into my own hands, the recommended treatment facility I am seeking help with getting the funding to attend is:
“Revive Center” in Colorado. (you are welcome to look it up.) It is a world-renowned neurological rehabilitation and optimization facility that transforms the lives of brain injury survivors, (like me) restoring function and quality of life for their patients. They lead the way in optimizing brain function for healthy brains for individuals who wish to maximize their cognitive abilities, living a more full life and ensuring longevity as they age.
What they do:
Immersion 10-15 day intensive
• Extensive diagnostic testing and evaluation
• 10-15 days of neurological therapies
• Metabolic support via IV infusions
• Regenerative Therapies
• Nutrition & Functional Medicine
• Mindset coaching & meditation guidance
Integration at home
• 90-day customized at-home plan for continued improvements
• Regularly scheduled phone calls, video calls, and email support
• Enrollment in the Revive mobile app
• Customized nutritional plan, supplementation
Being an out-patient facility, the cost of treatment plus travel, lodging (for me and a caregiver), and meals is an estimated total of around $32K.
Why help me? What makes me so special?
I am simply a compassionate caring woman, a daughter, a mother, a grandmother, a fellow human being reaching out to those of you who are in a position to help. I'm not on a deathbed (that I know of), but life has become quite concerning; for example, the deterioration of my foot over the last year will continue as treating the developing skin abrasions and bone bruising instead of the brain dysfunction at the root of the problem will eventually result in uncontrolled infections and serious bone issues…I will spare you the rest.
So please, I choose to reach out because I truly believe that with the courage to ask for help comes the blessing of receiving help. So, with that, I ask for your help.
Because I know all things are possible when community comes together, I would be grateful to be blessed with the needed funding to enroll for treatment by July (or sooner).
So grateful for your time and donation.
May the blessings pour out upon YOU!
Written (with some assistance) by Sandra.