Category Archives: Stroke

Stroke support group helps healing

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Chris Stephens’ life was changed when he arrived home from work to find his wife lying on the floor. Rosie had suffered a massive stroke.

After several days in the Intensive Care Unit at Duke University Hospital, Rosie’s condition began to stabilize, and she was later transferred to inpatient rehabilitation for physical, occupational and speech therapy. Rosie could not walk or use her left arm and had trouble swallowing.

About two weeks before Chris was scheduled to return to work, Rosie was diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to Greenery Rehabilitation Center in Durham.

There Chris noticed remarkable improvement in Rosie’s health and spirit. She was fed throughout the night by a G-tube. “Rosie gained weight and was now able to give great effort during her therapy sessions and enjoyed them,” said Chris. “She also enjoyed helping the other residents, baking cookies for them and leading board games during recreational therapy.” Chris could return home at night, knowing Rosie was well taken care of.

As Rosie’s health continued to improve, she and Chris began attending the stroke support group at Teer House. The support group became an important part of the healing process for both Rosie and Chris.

For the full story and to learn more about Durham Regional’s stroke support group, visit durhamregional.org. Then check this blog each week in May for a new story from a stroke patient or caregiver as part of National Stroke Awareness Month.

Stroke is the number four cause of death and the leading cause of disability in American adults. During National Stroke Awareness Month in May, learn the symptoms of stroke, and make healthy lifestyle choices to lower your risk. If you or someone you know has sudden confusion, numbness of the face or arm or trouble speaking, call 911 right away.

Stroke is a life-altering experience

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Al Carson was driving to work when he felt a tingling in his cheek. As he began to lose sensation in his body, he had to pull over at a convenience store. Carson fell getting out of his car, and attendants rushed to call 911.

Carson was taken to Durham Regional Hospital’s emergency department where he was treated for a stroke. The stroke left him paralyzed on the entire right side of his body. Carson was admitted to Durham Regional Hospital and then moved to the rehabilitation unit.

Carson and his rehabilitation team were not sure he would ever walk again, but he says the wonderful treatment he received changed his life.

For Al’s full story and to learn more about stroke, visit durhamregional.org. Then check this blog each week in May for a new story from a stroke patient or caregiver as part of National Stroke Awareness Month.

Stroke is the number four cause of death and the leading cause of disability in American adults. During National Stroke Awareness Month in May, learn the symptoms of stroke, and make healthy lifestyle choices to lower your risk. If you or someone you know has sudden confusion, numbness of the face or arm or trouble speaking, call 911 right away.

Caregivers affected by stroke, too

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In July 2012, Marie’s husband Keith suffered a massive stroke.

Keith was treated at Duke University Hospital for about two weeks, then transferred to Durham Regional Hospital’s Durham Rehabilitation Institute where he stayed for nearly four months. Since then, Keith has received treatment at the Brian Center of Durham. “All the nurses, doctors and CNAs at Duke and Durham Regional were wonderful,” said Marie.

Keith’s recovery has been difficult—not only for him but also for Marie. The support Marie has received from Keith’s care team and the stroke support group at Durham Regional has been important.

For Marie’s full story and to learn more about stroke, visit durhamregional.org. Then check this blog each week in May for a new story from a stroke patient or caregiver as part of National Stroke Awareness Month.

Stroke is the number four cause of death and the leading cause of disability in American adults. During National Stroke Awareness Month in May, learn the symptoms of stroke, and make healthy lifestyle choices to lower your risk. If you or someone you know has sudden confusion, numbness of the face or arm or trouble speaking, call 911 right away.

May is Stroke Awareness Month

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Last year, Robert Baynard laid down for an afternoon nap. When he awoke to take his dog out for his usual evening walk, Robert started staggering and had trouble getting up and down. He went to sleep that night feeling strange, but thinking it wasn’t anything serious.

The next morning, Robert was still feeling strange and by the time he and his wife decided it was time to seek medical attention, he had trouble even getting in the car. They went to the Emergency Department at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Durham, where they learned Robert had suffered a stroke.

ClockToday, Robert is steadily getting back to himself.

Stroke is the number four cause of death and the leading cause of disability in American adults. During National Stroke Awareness Month in May, learn the symptoms of stroke, and make healthy lifestyle choices to lower your risk. If you or someone you know has sudden confusion, numbness of the face or arm or trouble speaking, call 911 right away.

For Robert’s full story and to learn more about stroke, visit durhamregional.org. Then check out our blog each week in May for a new story from a stroke patient or caregiver as part of National Stroke Awareness Month. 

Time is brain

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Whitney Adams
Clinical Nurse II, Emergency Department

The sensation hits you abruptly. You have difficulty speaking or understanding what’s going on around you. You lose feeling in an arm or leg. Your head is pounding.

ClockYou could be having a stroke, and with a stroke time is brain. It is important to recognize these symptoms quickly and seek emergency medical attention.  

Stroke warning signs include:

  • sudden, severe headache with no known cause
  • sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
  • sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
  • sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
  • sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

If you notice any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately! It is also important to note the time at which the symptoms began because the treatment for stroke is time sensitive.

Durham Regional Hospital is a certified stroke center. When a stroke patient arrives in our Emergency Department, we issue an alert called a Code Stroke. This alert notifies a neurologist, the Lab and Radiology departments, nurses and other providers that a potential stroke patient is in the hospital. This process helps ensure fast, efficient care.

Remember: time is brain! When you or a family member experience the warning signs of stroke, call 911!