205. Stroke updates: My husband's evolving recovery and how the book is changing lives

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Today, I want to share a personal update that has been close to my heart: the journey my family and I have been on since my husband, Mark, had four strokes starting on Christmas Day, 2022. This experience has taught me so much and I feel compelled to share it with you, especially if you're caring for someone critically ill or injured.

The Road to Recovery: Mark's Journey

Over a year and a half, I've been giving updates about Mark. At age 62, he had four strokes which rendered him disabled. We've undergone a series of hospitalizations, in-hospital rehab, and now neuro rehab, and it's been an exhaustive yet enlightening journey. Since the beginning, Mark has been giving everything he has, enduring outpatient neuro rehab but as of late, he's felt too much pain to continue. We had to make the hard decision to end his outpatient rehab sessions and find an alternative.

Hard Choices and New Beginnings

As a caregiver, I initially felt blinded by what I thought was best for Mark. But I had to step back and realize that his mental well-being was as important as physical recovery. So, we transitioned to "Rehab Without Walls," a program that allows rehab at home. With 24 hours of weekly therapy, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, Mark is now happier, experiencing less pain, and surrounded by the comforts of home.

Facing Future Challenges

Looking ahead, we'll need to navigate the complexities of Medicare from December when Mark turns 64 and a half. Our journey will change as private insurance gives way to Medicare, and our access to specialized neuro-rehab might be limited. To mitigate this, we've started planning now, including seeking private therapies to ensure Mark continues his progress.

Learning from the Journey: The Book

I also want to share the exciting news about my book, "Surrounded by Love: One Family's Journey Through Stroke Recovery," which was published in late July. The response has been overwhelming with positive reviews and numerous people reaching out to share how the book has helped them. I started jotting down notes on my phone during Mark's early days in ICU, which eventually turned into this comprehensive guide based on our experiences.

Here are some FAQs I've received about the book and our journey:

"When did you have time to write a book?"

From the ICU days, I was taking notes on my iPhone about my thoughts and experiences. Over time, these notes formed the basis of the book. Journaling has always been a release for me, and I found it therapeutic.

"How has the feedback been?"

The book's feedback has been heartwarming. We've received 14 five-star reviews on Amazon and many personal emails thanking us for sharing our journey, providing guidance for caregivers, and offering hope.

"What are the future plans?"

I've been invited to speak at various groups about the book and stroke education. Hospitals and rehab centers are interested in sharing the book with their patients, which is my dream—to reach and help as many people as possible.

Being a caregiver has been the hardest thing I've ever done, and it's crucial to acknowledge the challenges but also to proactively prepare for them. Always having a plan A, B, C, and D has been my strategy. The love and support we've received have been overwhelming, and we're deeply grateful.

Topics Covered:

-Strokes

-Stroke Recovery

-Book about stroke recovery

-Aging

-Aging well

-Stroke rehab

Episode takeaways:

-Mark's recovery journey has been a testament to his resilience, as he has faced numerous physical and emotional challenges with determination.

-We’ve had to continuously adapt to new realities, such as ending Mark’s outpatient neu