Hard Work and Hope Secured Stroke Rehab Success
Wife, Golfer, Stroke Rehabilitation Patient
"I can’t say enough good things about the care I received there."
Terry Geary, age 66, is a former communications professional and collegiate honors programs advisor who loves to golf. She has coped with some health challenges over the years including a rare blood clotting disorder and diabetes but has always maintained a sense of optimism. In the spring of 2020, her positive outlook was challenged when she suffered a stroke at home. Geary spent a good portion of a month as an inpatient at MyMichigan Health’s Rehab Centre in Alma recovering and working hard on her journey to relearn skills that used to be automatic.
Before the stroke, Geary was in good health. She woke one morning unable to lift her body out of bed with the right side of her face drawn downward. “I felt like I woke up to it happening but was able to call out to my husband, Bob,” she said of the stroke. “It didn’t take him long to get to me. The look on his face told me that it was serious, and he called 911 immediately.”
Geary was transported to the Emergency Department at MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch. “This happened when the pandemic had just closed things down, so my husband was unable to come in with me,” said Geary. “Even so, I felt well cared for right away.” She received a CAT scan and MRI. The MRI showed an acute ischemic stroke to the left side of her brain which is often caused by a blockage in a blood vessel there. It was unclear how recently it had occurred. Her blood pressure was alarmingly high.
Geary was evaluated by physical, occupational and speech therapists who agreed she had sustained significant functional impairments that prevented safe discharge home. Instead, Geary would need intensive inpatient therapy for rehabilitation.
“Patricia (Trish) Woelke, O.T., from the rehab department in West Branch helped me Facetime Bob so we could make decisions together. He understood the situation and told staff: ‘Do what you have to do,’” said Geary.
When the couple learned that the Rehab Centre at MyMichigan Medical Center Alma had a bed available, they agreed quickly to take it. “That day, Trish said something that has stayed with me,” Geary added. “About the rehabbing process she said ‘what you put in is what you get out.’ I took that to heart. It motivated me to do my best to get better, and I am so thankful to her for that.”
In Alma, staff was waiting for Geary when she arrived. Visitors were not allowed at the time due to COVID, but it was also a strategy to help keep Geary’s stress levels down. One of the objectives of her care plan was to minimize any risk to raising her blood pressure or causing frustration. She received intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy from team members Elizabeth Bigelow, P.T.,
Margot Ostrander, P.T.A., Kara Baker, O.T., and Ryan Rollins, S.T. under the medical direction of Dominic Femminineo, D.O. Although it was tough at times without visitors, Geary said it ending up working to her advantage because she had extra time to “study and do the exercise homework” that was instrumental in her recovery. “I know it was tough on Bob not to be able to come inside,” she said. “He would come to my window to see me while talking over the phone.”
Geary made the most of her days and described her time at the Rehab Centre as “surreal and phenomenal.” “I can’t say enough good things about the care I received there,” she shared. “The therapists are able to walk the very fine line of pushing while encouraging. They inspire you to strive for more but also understand when you feel defeated or need to rest. They know when you have it and when you don’t, and I believe that’s true for every patient, not just me. They are incredible.”
Geary also appreciated that her treatment plan was personalized to fit around things she likes to do. She even performed exercises with a putter to improve her grip and range of motion. She progressed from a wheel chair to a full walker, and continued to put forth maximum effort. An evaluation was scheduled to see whether Geary was ready to be discharged safely. At the appointment, she was delighted to recognize a woman asking ‘do you remember me?’ as Trish, the therapist who had helped her that first day in the emergency room. She was proud to show Trish how far she’d come, from being paralyzed on her right side to moving with a walker. She was approved for discharge.
Geary was scheduled to receive multiple home therapy visits which she reported were great, noting that she was very comfortable having staff in her home to help. She happily received a printed plan to follow on her own. Geary also held on to the goal sheet she had used as an inpatient as a reminder of where she used to be. The sheet continues to keep things in perspective today; she is still learning and relearning.
Recently, Geary was invited to a one-year stroke reunion at the Rehab Centre. The event gives former patients and their families a chance to interact and catch up. Geary was glad to have attended to share her experiences and offer hope to those who are still experiencing challenges. “I want people to have hope,” stated Geary. “I was in rough shape after my stroke. My road to recovery continues, but I’m doing well and others can too.”
Geary is back to having her glass half full and has even joined a golf league. She credits her excellent care from the rehab teams for helping her get this far, knowing there might still be tasks that come up that require retraining. She is determined to keep moving forward, accepting victories large and small. She shared that she makes an effort to speak more slowly these days, in part to best articulate her message to others: “Have hope; if you put the work in, you will be able to do it.”
