Support Amy's Journey to Full Recovery

First, thank you to all who have supported us throughout this journey. So far, it has been 7 months since my stroke. (For those who are new to my journey, the beginning is below.) With your support, my therapists at rehab, extra training and focused care from my caregiver husband and family, and many prayers, I have been able to progress and learn how to walk and do many of life's simple tasks again. I still have deficits with vision and impairments to my left side, arm, and hand; reduced energy and stamina, and many cognitive issues, but I am continuing to improve thanks to focused continued therapy through the hospital and Greg. It has rocked and rearranged our world, with added responsibilities for all, but everyone has adapted well. I'm working on trying to be self-sufficient again, but unfortunately, there is no timeline for recovery. It's not about what I want; it's about God and God's plan.

Your support has allowed us to focus and progress. Greg is beginning to return to work, but I believe it will be many months before I can return to work, and that is my goal. I miss my clients and co-workers, and I miss the work; the sense of purpose and achievement.

We are humbly asking that you continue to support us on this journey. While Greg is returning to work, his earning potential has been greatly reduced by our current need for him to have a flexible schedule for my frequent doctors' and therapy appointments. Added to this, there are increased expenses for co-pays and deductables, and insurance coverage is beginning to wane as caps are met.

I have had time to reflect on what is necessary in life and what is important: love, support, and just the simple things. If you can help support us in any way for the next few months, I thank you in advance for being part of what God has laid out for this journey. I believe I will continue to do great things on the other side of this. You have been placed on my (our) path for a purpose and reason. Thank you for helping me get there. We are trying to be the light in the darkness to others on the path. Thank you for renewing our connections and allowing us to see that we aren't walking this alone and never have been. There are friends, family, and acquaintances that have been with us on this difficult and sometimes uncertain journey. Your kindness and support for our family have been amazing. You have touched our lives for sure, but that has multiplied and has touched other lives as well. Your investment in my family will continue to bless others beyond your financial contribution and support. I am committed to being the multiplier. Thank you for helping me focus and take on my new role and calling!

We will be starting a Facebook page so you can see my progress. The goal is also to be a light for those who may be travelling a similar path. We joined a stroke recovery group at the hospital and have met stroke survivors and their caregivers. We learned there are commonalities in our experiences and we hope to be a light of encouragement and show them that there is success in recovery with resilience and tenacity.

How our journey began: Last October 26th, I got up early. I had a big day planned. Sammy and her boyfriend, Jackson, were home for our annual pumpkin carving party later that afternoon. I took a hot shower and began experiencing difficulties when drying off. I asked Greg for help, and he quickly sat me down and did an assessment. After a moment, he said we needed an ambulance. He assessed I was having a stroke.

I don't remember much from the emergency room. I know they treated me with a clot-busting drug and were preparing me for surgery to remove the clot, which was low on the right side of the brain. It affected the left side of my body and the left side vision in both eyes. Prior to surgery, they conducted a scan of some type (MRI or CT) and determined the clot had shrunk and moved further into my brain, and it was no longer operable.

From the ER, I spent a week in the ICU, then to a stroke recovery unit, and finally two weeks in an acute rehabilitation unit. It was here that I began the long road to recovery.

At discharge, I was beginning to learn how to walk again but had severe deficits which left me unable to care for myself in even the most basic ways. This is when my family began adding to the rehab. With the help and guidance of the great people at the Wellstar NeuroPhysio therapy center, Greg and I have worked daily on getting better.

The therapy continues daily. I can now walk on my own and do many simple tasks of daily life. I still have left side, vision, and cognitive deficits, but we are working on improving them daily.