Help support Jeff's recovery after his hemorrhagic stroke

My name is Erin and I work with Tonia at Brentwood Animal Hospital. I would like to tell you about Tonia's husband Jeff.

On Thursday, April 17th, Tonia ​Pauley received a life-changing call at work from her husband’s co-worker. Her husband, Jeff, had suffered a stroke and was unresponsive. He was taken to the closest hospital, Aurora Medical Center in Grafton. A co-worker, AJ, drove Tonia there to find out that Jeff had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, the worst kind of stroke. A CT showed a left-side brain bleed that wasn’t stopping. Jeff was sedated and placed on a ventilator to try to stop the bleeding. A short time later, still sedated and on the ventilator, he was transferred to St. Luke’s Neuro ICU ​in Milwaukee.

I ​(Erin) met Tonia and AJ at St. Luke's ER. Tonia had terrible stomach pain that day and planned on leaving work early to head to the ER. She was triaged right away while Jeff was arriving at the hospital. They took Tonia’s vitals, placed an IV, and drew blood. We were sent out to the waiting room. AJ went upstairs and waited for Jeff to get settled into a room. The hospital was great and allowed AJ to get information on Jeff and keep Tonia updated via texts while she was waiting in the ER. We waited in the ER for three hours before Tonia was informed that she could not spend the night with Jeff. By this time, it was 10:30 pm, and visiting hours were over at 9 pm. Tonia, never being seen by a doctor, had her IV removed and went upstairs to see Jeff before she was made to leave for the night. On the way home, Tonia went to another ER and was finally seen at 2:30 am.

Early Friday morning, Tonia headed back to St. Luke’s to be by Jeff’s side. Doctors performed another CT that showed the brain bleed had stopped. That was great news! They kept Jeff on the ventilator and placed a feeding tube. They took Jeff for an MRI, and it showed Jeff’s brain bleed was worse than initially thought. He may never get his cognitive functions back. Tonia is devastated; it is all just so overwhelming. She is trying to be his rock, after 26 years of Jeff being her rock!

On Saturday the 19th, doctors took Jeff off the ventilator and monitored him very closely. He needed to stay calm so the bleeding wouldn’t start again. Jeff was unable to move his right arm and was talking gibberish. He was able to make a sentence here and there, but didn't remember Tonia's name, his daughter Ashley's name, or his birthday, among other important things.

On Easter, Jeff waved to Tonia when he first saw her in the morning. He knows Tonia is his wife but doesn't know her name. He started to move his right leg. Tonia is so hopeful.

Jeff is only 52 years old. He and Tonia have been together for 26 years. Jeff loves his job with Von Drasek & Sons in South Milwaukee and has been there for over 22 years. He is the primary breadwinner, and now Tonia is at a complete loss. Jeff is also the sole caregiver for his widowed mother.

Family and friends are praying that someday, Jeff will be able to do all the things in life he enjoys most. He loves bowling with Ashley, long relaxing days fishing with Tonia’s dad and brother, and going to the Dells with Tonia and Ashley during all four seasons of the year.

Tonight, Jeff is still in the Neuro ICU. He can sit in a recliner for a short period, and he stood for the first time. He told Tonia he loves her and will rub her face. He talks a lot, but some doesn't makes sense. He still has his feeding tube in, but Tonia was able to feed him for the first time.

Jeff, Tonia, and Ashley have a long, tough road ahead of them. Friends of the family are humbly asking for donations to help with the costs of lost wages, medical bills, hospital stays and supplies, rehab, and other expenses. Any help, big or small, will go a long way.