Todd's Rehabiliation Journey

Hi, I'm Elke and this GoFundMe is for my husband Todd. This is Todd's story...

Todd suffered a stroke at home on 4/12/22 and I discovered him laying on the garage floor when I got home from work that day. Todd was taken to the emergency room at UC Irvine where he underwent emergency brain surgery to relieve the pressure from ruptured brain aneurysms. We are so thankful to the surgeons and first responders for saving Todd's life.

The aftereffects of the stroke left Todd without any movement on the left side of his body. His right leg was also very weak. He had a trach tube to be able to breathe and a feeding tube to be able to eat. He stayed in the ICU for a month and was transferred to a long-term acute care hospital called Kindred in Westminster, CA. Unfortunately, he stayed there for 10 months due to a terrible case manager and because he caught several infections and viruses in their care. Transferring Todd to another facility was nearly impossible as most places didn't want to take the chance on his rehabilitation after so much time had passed.

We continued to look and fight for a way out and were saved on 1/31/23 when Todd was transferred to a rehab facility in Bakersfield called Centre for Neuro Skills. I was able to work remotely and stayed at hotels nearby to support Todd. Todd was an inpatient at CNS and did very well at this facility. He stayed for 4 months. He didn't regain any movement on his left side but was building strength in his core and was eating orally again. He was unexpectedly discharged because insurance didn't think his gains were big enough to constitute him staying. They sent us home with an order for home health, a hospital bed and a hoyer lift.

This was quite a transition for both Todd and me as Todd was used to 24/7 care and a team of caregivers. I was physically and mentally exhausted. I had to help Todd with all aspects of his life as he was in a wheelchair and still couldn't move his left side. As difficult as it was, Todd and I were determined to find another facility because we knew he needed more therapy. However, once again we found it very difficult to find a facility to take a chance on Todd's recovery, especially now that he was at home. I wouldn't give up, I couldn't give up.

One night I couldn't sleep so I was searching the internet for acute rehab facilities and found one in Los Angeles that looked pretty good. I applied and to my surprise, the next day was contacted by the facility. After almost 3 months at home, we finally found a doctor and team of therapists willing to take a chance on Todd. Todd and I cried happy tears when we got the call. It was such a relief and we were overcome with happiness. Finally, our hard work and persistence paid off. Todd was admitted to California Rehabilitation Institute on 8/16/23.

Todd is very driven to stay as long as he can and work hard every day. His goal is to walk again someday! I am so proud of him and all the progress he has already made but equally impressed by his drive to keep going.

Unfortunately we were discharged home on 9/6/23. Todd's doctor said he didn't think Todd would be able to show big enough progress to submit a plan to insurance. Always about insurance...

In the meantime, we'll try to make the best of it. I'll continue to search for the another way, another place to help Todd continue his rehabilitation. This is far from over!

This account is for anyone that wants to help us out. Todd had to separate from his bartending job at the Hyatt in Newport Beach after 28 years so I am the only one working now. Driving to Bakersfield earlier this year, staying at hotels, filling up gas tanks, buying medical supplies and equipment, doctors visits, medications, driving to Los Angeles everyday to visit Todd, and parking fees at Cal Rehab Institute are all unexpected expenses. We truly appreciate all the support.

Todd's rehabilitation journey continues with your help...