Ken Adkins Stroke Recovery Fund and Journey Home

On January 19th, Ken Adkins was on vacation in Florida, and getting ready to take his wife and mother-in-law to the airport when he had a massive stroke and collapsed on the floor of his RV. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors discovered that his left carotid artery was occluded and he had a blood clot behind his left eye. He was taken into emergency surgery to remove the clot, and the surgery was successful. He came out of surgery sedated and on a ventilator to reduce movement and stress on his body. At that point, we were told that the next 24 hours would be crucial and doctors would be checking for any possible brain bleeds the following day. The CAT scan the following morning showed a small amount of blood on his brain that the neurologist monitored with more scans over the next couple of days. The ventilator was removed on day 2 in the ICU, and we were so thankful for that. Ken was not able to recognize his family for the first few days after his surgery, but the neurologist explained that his memory would most likely come back as the swelling subsided. The doctor said that the damage to the left side of his brain was severe and that there may be no improvement in mobility of the right arm or speech. That was a very hard bit of information to hear. Days 3 and 4 in the ICU were difficult for all because Ken was sluggish and did not respond to much of anything. Speech therapy evaluated his ability to swallow on day 4 and he was not able to pass the test, so he was given a nasogastric feeding tube to help get nutrients into his body and give him some strength. Day 5 in ICU was a great day! It was the day that he started communicating again. The speech therapist was able to get him to finish the lyrics to songs! He continued to improve his communication little by little every day. Days 7 and 8 in the ICU were good ones too because his personality started to come back in his mannerisms and the few words that he was able to say. Day 9 was his last day in ICU and also his last day with a feeding tube! He was given approval to eat a puree diet with thickened liquids. He was so happy to finally be able to eat! He was on the regular patient care floor of the hospital for 8 more days, until February 4th, when he was able to move to the facility where he is now. He is at Select Specialty Hospital in Fort Myers, where he is receiving daily physical, occupational, and speech therapy. The therapy is helping him relearn how to do basic skills and continuing to work on his speech. This journey has not been without struggles for Ken or his family. His wife, Terry, has been his support system, and has been by his side every single day. On January 28th, the thermostat went out in the RV where she lives and she had to buy a new thermostat and repair it herself. On February 1st, Terry received the first of many medical bills in the mail for the ambulance transport that was $843. On February 10th, she received a notice from the insurance company that they would only be covering the first week of Ken’s treatment at Select Specialty Hospital, and that she would be responsible for any charges that occurred after that. On February 11th, Terry’s vehicle broke down and she was told that she spun a bearing and that the damage is unrepairable. That vehicle was her daily transportation to go see Ken at the hospital. She is now relying on friends and family to transport her to and from the hospital. Ken has a long road of treatment ahead of him, and we do not have the funds to continue the therapy that he needs. Terry never asks for help, but she really needs it at this point. They are on a controlled income and unable to work due to disability. This is a very difficult time for our family emotionally and financially, and any amount given will be greatly appreciated. The money will go directly to Terry to help with bills and means of transportation.