5 Heart Attacks,Cardiac Arrest,Stroke.Our Fighter

As some may know our family was turned upside down on the 24th of May 2022. My Dad, Carl Richard Schulze had a Mitral Valve Operation as he has suffered with his heart since 2002 where he had 5 heart attacks, and on Boxing Day 2015, he suffered from a Cardiac Arrest in front of us all in the living room, where my mum performed CPR on him for 11 minutes until help arrived. This truly proves that he is a fighter.

Unfortunately things didn’t go to plan on the 24th of May 2022, and dad was in a coma for a week and a half, but it felt like a lifetime. It was torture. When dad was in the coma they told us that ‘if’ he woke up there would be a huge chance he would be severely disabled where he would be unable to talk, eat, or drink or do anything as the severity of the stroke on the brain scan was huge.

After my dad woke up they discovered that he had suffered several strokes which affected both sides of his brain which make’s Dad’s stroke a very unique case.

We are all extremely glad and proud that he’s come this far and is progressing each day. We have not got a clue about what the future holds for us as a family or for dad, due to dad needing to be hoisted and will need to be cared for 24/7. This is a huge change and shock to us all and its a huge adaption that we all have to adapt to and get used to to move forward as a family.

Dad is able to communicate really well, and is able to engage in conversation and remembers a lot of different information, he can remember more than myself to be honest, but the Stroke has affected his cognition. Also the Stroke has affected him physically too where it has left dad unable to sit up by himself, he is unable to use his left arm, and he is unable to walk. The only movement he has in his body is in his right arm.

One thing about dad, his whitty personality has not changed a bit. His kindness and caring side still truly shines through everything. Dad was the man of the house, working and providing for us all each day. This has now changed everything for him and us.The only thing he wanted was a new valve so that he could go back to work and to live his normal life again. But unfortunately, things have changed, and he has told us several times he regrets having the operation for a new valve.

I’m an extremely proud daughter to be able to call this amazing man my Dad, he is truly one hell of a fighter and is determined to push himself each day.

His words;

“I’m a fighter not a quiter”

We have been by my dad’s side as a family from the day dot. He has improved hugely and is becoming more like himself each day.

Unfortunately a month after dad had his operation my Grandmother passed away suddenly so its been hell for us all. Unable to work due to mental health and trying to juggle everything. We are with my dad daily at the hospital so the house hasn’t felt like home for months.

The next step for us as a family is to have dad home with us. We have had two opinions about dad, but we are trying to be positive and we will keep on fighting as a family to ensure that dad gets the best and everything he deserves.

I have set up this Go Fund Me Page as we are trying our hardest to make the house as suitable as possible for dad, but unfortunately we don’t have the means to do so. Also I have set this up for anyone who may want to help contribute towards the ongoing and future costs that may come our way due to dad’s health and the long road thats ahead of us.

Huge thanks to everyone for their kind words over the recent months, it truly means a lot to us all. Any help would be truly greatful, whether you might be in a position to donate or even to share this, it would truly mean a lot to us all.

Thankyou,

Tesni.