03 – Effects of Stroke

Albert was in the hospital in Nashville for one month. At the end of the month, Albert’s health had improved, but he still could not use his right hand or leg.  Albert’s brain was functioning better than it had the month before but he still had Aspasia and could not talk in a conversation. He could speak phrases and respond with the following words: One day at a time; I need a break; Main menu; and I need to chill. Anytime you Albert was asked a question, these were his responses. 

Albert had swallowing issues so he could not drink regular liquids. To hydrate, thickening had to be added to anything that Albert drank.  Water and other drinks were the consistency of soft jello.  Because Albert was more responsive he showed that didn’t like this and refused to drink it.

During this month at the hospital, Albert was very angry. He realized that he had a stroke and that he could not walk or move his right arm and leg. He realized that when he spoke, the words that came out of his mouth were not the words that he thought he was saying. When I asked him, “How are you this morning?, and in his head, he would answer the question, but out of his lips came the words “Main menu” or “I need a break”. This happened continually over the month. I didn’t like what was happening and prayed continually, but quickly came to the realization that this was our new normal.

In the hospital, Albert was able to sing songs and spiritual songs that we had sung together in church; songs that he had sung since he was a child. We spent lots of our time in the hospital singing these songs together. He remembered the words from each of these songs from memory. It’s amazing how the brain works and how God works allowing us to communicate with each other in ways that are his will. This was our communication.

I stayed in Nashville for two weeks before going home.  During that week, I picked up Jordan, loved on him, and went back to work.  There was so much to do, and I was responsible for taking care of everything. There was so much on my mind that I compartmentalized my life.  I planned my days so that I could work, pay bills, and take care of Jordan, and this is what I did daily.  Jordan and I flew to Nashville the next weekend to visit Albert who seemed to be getting better.  But many difficulties lay ahead of us.

At the end of the month, it was time to bring Albert back to Austin for rehabilitation. I was in Austin when I got the call his doctor stating that he would be released from the hospital the coming weekend. The doctor said that they had done all that they could do for him, and it was time for rehab.  I was in a better place financially and booked another flight to Nashville. When I got to the hospital, I spoke with the doctor, who updated me on Albert’s progress.  He still had the same disabilities, but his health condition was stable.  Albert was more aware of his surroundings, knew that he was disabled, and he was mad, and being mad made him mean.