From Hope to Healing


During Marc's time at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Ontario, following a massive stroke and brain bleed, a friend suggested I start a blog. I'd been making notes each day and updating his progress on Facebook but after some thought, I realized that this could be something that Marc could later read to follow his journey back to health.

I thought it might also serve to help someone else. If it can help even one other person to recognize the signs of a stroke or to help a family member understand what happens during this battle, then it was worth recording.

This is Marc's story. It begins with our hope for his survival and follows his healing journey.

For those of you new to blogs, you can find previous posts in the Blog Archive on the right side of the page. Each post has the date so you can easily follow along day by day. Just click the one you want to read. This story starts on Saturday, December 8, 2012.

(To see the earlier blog posts, click on "2012" in the Blog Archive section and it will open the posts from December)

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Tuesday, January 1, 2013 - More Good News

The good news just keeps on coming. 
Marc had a visit from his doctor today with results of his CT scan last week.  We hadn’t heard a word about it but the nurses assured us that if there was bad news, we’d know immediately.  The doctor said that his original bleed was healing very well and that no new problems had cropped up. 
Marc said to him, “So, I can expect a full recovery?” 
The doctor said that he would continue to recover for two or three years but that didn’t mean he’d need to stay in the hospital for that time.  He said that what Marc needs to do now is continue doing really well with his physiotherapy and occupational therapy and that he can expect to go home in 2 to 4 weeks! 
Marc was ecstatic.  He couldn’t wait for us to get there for visiting hours as he wanted to tell everyone in person.

Marc gives a big thumbs up after telling his parents the good news.
 I can’t get over this news.  It hasn’t even been a month yet since his stroke.  This is the guy that wasn’t expected to live through the transport to Toronto.   His bleed had been massive.  To think that he could recover this quickly is mind boggling.  I have no doubt that all the positive energy, prayers and healing, coupled with Marc’s own inner reserves and will to live are what made it even possible to receive news like this today. 
Marc did his own physiotherapy this afternoon since there was nothing scheduled due to New Year’s Day.  He told me he did 80 leg lifts for each leg while lying in bed today and brought each knee to his chest 10 times, as well.  He is also now able to use a commode in the bathroom by himself and sit in front of the sink to wash, shave and brush his teeth.
Even his clapping has improved from yesterday.  He showed me what he’d been practicing while waiting for me to come in.  He was able to move both arms equally together to clap at the midline of his body, instead of his right arm doing most of the work.    
Marc got dressed and into a wheelchair for his visitors.  Friends came to see him as well as his parents, so we went to the food court in the atrium for a visit.  First though, Marc went out the sliding glass doors for a breath of fresh air and then wheeled himself back through the other set of doors.
Today’s news gave Marc a new purpose and drive.  He can’t wait for physiotherapy tomorrow to keep the improvements happening. 
Last week he told me that his goal was to be home by my birthday on January 29th.  If he keeps this up, I may just get the best birthday present I’ve ever received in my life.   
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2 comments:

  1. Lynn Marie CaissieJanuary 1, 2013 at 9:42 PM

    Now THIS is something to do the HaPpY DaNcE for!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2013 at 8:23 AM

    This is fantastic news! Keep up the positive attitude Marc. You will be amazed at what the brain can do with determination and positive thinking. Looking forward to hearing that you have arrived home.

    Cindy

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