Nurturing Hope: Approaches to Caring for Loved Ones with Chronic Health Condition

 

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by Andrea Needham ( andrea@eldersday.org ) 

When a loved one suffers a stroke, the path to recovery often feels daunting and complex. Yet, your role in their journey is pivotal, filled with opportunities to significantly enhance their quality of life. By adopting a holistic approach that integrates personalized care, you can transform their daily challenges into a series of manageable steps toward healing and happiness.

Tailored Comfort

Try preparing a care package designed specifically for them. Whether it’s their favorite snacks, soothing teas, or comforting books, these thoughtful gestures show your deep understanding of their preferences. Include items that cater to their new needs post-stroke, such as easy-to-hold utensils or customized clothing, to make everyday tasks a little easier. Every item should reassure them of your support and enhance their comfort at home.

Organizing a Balanced Health Schedule

Your support can extend into organizing a comprehensive health schedule that prioritizes not just medical appointments but also much-needed periods of rest and relaxation. Integrate enjoyable activities they can look forward to, like watching a favorite movie or a gentle walk in the park, ensuring they have moments that spark joy and relaxation amidst their recovery routine. This balance between care and leisure encourages a healthier, happier recovery process.

Career Inspiration Through

Compassionate Care

Supporting your loved one through their recovery from a stroke could inspire you to take your professional skills to the next level. If you're a nurse, you may consider this a prime opportunity to advance your qualifications by pursuing an online RN or BSN degree, enhancing your ability to provide top-notch patient care. Online educational programs are specifically designed to accommodate your busy schedule, allowing you to balance the demands of work and caregiving seamlessly.

Exploring Holistic Healing Techniques

Consider integrating alternative healing practices like acupuncture, yoga, or mindfulness meditation into their recovery plan. These therapies can complement traditional medical treatments by alleviating some of the emotional and physical stress associated with stroke recovery. For example, yoga can improve flexibility and balance, acupuncture might reduce post-stroke pain, and mindfulness can help manage depression and anxiety, fostering a sense of peace and well-being.

Leveraging Helpful Technology

In today’s digital age, numerous apps and tools can simplify the management of medication and symptom tracking. Introduce your loved one to apps that provide medication reminders or enable symptom tracking to help them stay on top of their health. Telehealth services are also invaluable, offering access to medical professionals without the need for frequent hospital visits, making healthcare more accessible and less exhausting.

Encouraging Artistic Expression

Engagement in creative activities like art therapy, music, or writing can be incredibly therapeutic for stroke survivors. These activities offer a way to express feelings and experiences that are often too complex for words. Encouraging your loved one to paint, draw, write, or play music can provide them with a powerful emotional outlet, reducing stress and improving overall mental health.

Ensuring Emotional Support

Regular check-ins where you listen actively and validate their feelings are essential. It’s important that your loved one feels heard and understood, not just about their health, but their fears, frustrations, and everyday experiences. This level of empathy and understanding can greatly enhance their emotional well-being and fortify their resilience in facing the challenges of recovery.

Expanding Support Networks

Helping your loved one build a robust support network can significantly ease their recovery journey. Connect them with support groups, online communities, or resources like United Stroke Alliance that offer both companionship and practical help. These connections provide emotional solace and valuable information from others who truly understand their situation, offering a broader community of support and encouragement.

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Supporting a loved one after a stroke is a profound commitment that goes beyond attending appointments and managing medications. It’s about enriching their life with joy, understanding, and resilience. Each strategy discussed here offers a unique way to nurture their journey to recovery. Embrace these approaches with compassion and creativity, and watch as your loved one finds new strength and happiness each day.

Months After a Serious Stroke, He Was Back to Drawing Caricatures

 

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 By Diane Daniel, American Heart Association News  

Artist Adam English had just turned 50 when he woke up one morning having a stroke. (Photo courtesy of Adam English)

A loud ringing and bright light jolted Adam English awake. Then he felt the bizarre sensation of a zipper closing from ear to ear across his face.

English tried to call out, but he could only make sounds.

Then he tried getting out of bed. He fell, hitting his head on the iron bed frame.

His wife, Joanne Pera, was in the bathroom around the corner. A high school English teacher, she was running late for work when she heard what sounded like a scream. Then a thud.

She walked into the hallway and found English crawling toward her. He looked at her but couldn't talk.

This is what a stroke must look like, she thought. But she also thought strokes happen to the elderly; English had just turned 50.

Pera called 911.

As the ambulance was in transit, the dispatcher took Pera through a list of questions to relay to her husband.

"Can you smile?"

English smiled.

"Can you stick out your tongue?"

He could.

"But he still can't speak to me," Pera told the dispatcher.

The ambulance was there within minutes to take English to the hospital, which is less than a quarter-mile from their home in Tonawanda, New York, outside of Buffalo.

Doctors quickly determined English was having a stroke. A clot obstructed blood flow in his cerebellum and brain stem. The cerebellum plays a major role in motor movement and balance.

Within 15 minutes of Pera finding him, English was being given intravenous clot-busting medication.

English was then transferred to a more specialized hospital. There, doctors performed a thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure to remove clots. By the time the clot-grabbing tool reached the area, the clot had already dissolved.

Still, despite the speedy treatment, doctors warned Pera that her husband might have permanent physical and cognitive damage.

Walking into his room, she braced herself for the worst.

Seeing her, English smiled.

"Are you there, Adam?" Pera asked.

"I'm still here," he said. "I'm still Adam."

Adam English (right) with his wife, Joanne Pera. (Photo courtesy of John Parascak)

While he could talk and process information, his speech was severely slurred. He couldn't walk and his vision was impacted. His eyelid muscles also didn't work properly. His eyes would stay closed unless they were secured in an open position with tape. (Surgery later repaired them.)

"Most of your recovery will be in the first six months," the doctor said. "After that, you might get better, but you can't expect much more healing."

When he began in-patient rehabilitation, English – who has been paid to draw caricatures since he was a teenager – asked to make art. Nurses set up his travel easel in the occupational therapy room and he worked on sketches every day.

"Everyone there loved me because I sketched them all about 18 times," he said.

His drawing improved by the day, but English – who'd also been a musician before the stroke – could no longer play guitar or piano.

In seeking a cause for the stroke, doctors found that English had a common congenital heart defect, a hole between the upper chambers of his heart. Known as a patent foramen ovale, it exists in everyone before birth, but usually closes naturally shortly after being born. The hole may have allowed a clot to travel to his brain. He later underwent a procedure to close the hole.

Adam English recovering at home after his stroke. (Photo courtesy of Adam English)

English went home in mid-March in 2020 – just as the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. He arrived home in a wheelchair, but soon switched to a cane indoors and a walker outdoors.

He received in-home physical therapy and did exercises on his own every day. The pandemic forced Pera to move her classes online, so she was home to assist him.

By the summer, English was back at work at Buffalo's waterfront drawing caricatures.

"My sketches actually look extremely similar to the way they did before the stroke," he said.

Talking to customers was challenging because he would slur certain words to the point that he sounded intoxicated. He had to deal with people complaining to management that he had been drinking.

"I ended up making a couple little signs that said, 'Stroke survivor, please excuse any slurred speech.'"

Because of his impaired vision, English couldn't drive for about a year after the stroke. It improved with the use of prism glasses, therapy and a series of surgeries on his eyes.

English was especially grateful for his speech pathologist, Amy Olsen, because they shared a love of music. (She's the musical director at her church.) By singing together, as well as talking, he regained much of his articulation.

He improved so much that 18 months after his stroke, English performed with his barbershop quartet when it opened for 1950s star Bobby Rydell in Buffalo. Olsen attended the concert.

"That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and having Amy there made it feel like a personal triumph," English said.

Pera, family and friends were also in the audience, cheering him on and crying.

"He nailed it, and he's only gotten better from there," Pera said. "I'm so amazed at Adam's bravery for getting back out there, both on the stage and at work."

Adam English performing in his barbershop quartet in 2022. (Photo courtesy of John Parascak)

English continues to face some challenges with walking, balance and speech, but he also keeps slowly improving.

"My can-do wife would not allow me to do anything but," he said. "Joanne's relentless positivity is the No. 1 thing that allowed me to keep going and get through this."

Stories From the Heart chronicles the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers and advocates.

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American Heart Association News Stories

American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in American Heart Association News stories reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in American Heart Association scientific journals or presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the American Heart Association’s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the American Heart Association’s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.

 

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by Andrea Needham (https://www.eldersday.org)

New Ways to Build a Stronger Foundation for Your Retirement

Written by Andrea Needham

and submitted for pubication

all rights reserved

Traditional safety nets for retirement may no longer guarantee financial or healthcare security, making it vital to adopt fresh approaches. Retirement planning now requires a forward-thinking mindset to create stability and adaptability. Exploring diverse investments, expanding knowledge, and considering options beyond familiar borders can pave the way to a more secure future. Such efforts foster both independence and confidence, ensuring you’re prepared for unexpected challenges. Planning thoughtfully today sets the foundation for a fulfilling and worry-free tomorrow.

Building a Resilient Financial Future

with Alternative Investments 

Building a secure financial future requires diversifying beyond traditional government programs like Social Security or Medicare. Alternative investments such as private equity, commodities, and cryptocurrencies provide opportunities for growth while spreading risk. Private equity often offers steady returns even during market shifts, appealing to those seeking stability. Commodities like gold and oil can protect against inflation, preserving value over time. Cryptocurrencies, despite their volatility, present promising avenues for investors looking to engage in the expanding digital economy.

Creating Passive Income Streams 

Creating a passive income strategy can be a powerful way to secure your financial future, especially as you approach retirement. By investing time and resources upfront, you can establish income streams that require minimal ongoing effort. For example, owning rental properties or investing in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) allows your money to work for you, providing a steady cash flow while you focus on other pursuits. Additionally, earning royalties from creative works or dividends from stock investments can diversify your income sources, reducing reliance on traditional retirement funds.

Secure Your Future with Advanced Education 

Continuing education can be a game-changer for your career, offering opportunities to enhance your skills and earning potential. For instance, earning a Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree allows you to deepen your healthcare knowledge while developing essential leadership expertise. Online degree programs are particularly beneficial, as they enable you to balance full-time work with your studies. By exploring the curriculum of online MHA programs, you can identify courses that align with your career goals, such as healthcare policy, financial management, and strategic planning.

Design a Financial Safety Net with Royalties 

Royalties from intellectual property offer a dependable income stream that operates outside traditional financial systems. Licensing creative works, such as books, music, or software, allows you to earn revenue from their use over time. This process rewards innovation while encouraging ongoing collaboration with businesses seeking new opportunities. Understanding the tax impact of royalties is vital to optimize financial planning and maintain stability. When managed effectively, royalties can provide a financial cushion that supports your needs in later years.

Enhance Your Retirement

with a Health Savings Account 

Leveraging a Health Savings Account (HSA) can be a strategic way to manage healthcare expenses in retirement, offering a unique triple tax advantage: tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, and tax-free withdrawals for qualified medical expenses. By maximizing your HSA contributions, you can build a robust fund to cover future healthcare costs, potentially reducing your reliance on Social Security or Medicare. It’s wise to maintain a portion of your HSA in cash for immediate needs while investing the remainder for long-term growth. Collaborating with a financial advisor can help you develop an investment strategy that aligns with your retirement goals.

Finding Your Ideal Retirement Destination 

Retiring abroad can provide an affordable lifestyle combined with access to quality healthcare. Some destinations are known for modern medical services and private insurance plans that are budget-friendly. Certain countries offer residency programs that cater to retirees with modest pension incomes. Proximity to home can make it easier to stay connected with family while enjoying a new environment. Exploring these options can help you design a retirement plan that balances financial stability with a vibrant lifestyle.

Integrating Long-Term Care Insurance

into Your Retirement Plan 

Long-term care insurance can help manage rising healthcare costs as you age by covering extended care expenses. Despite high premiums, particularly for women, modern policies have become more affordable and stable. This type of insurance can complement government programs, offering broader care options and increased flexibility. Exploring hybrid policies or comparing providers allows you to tailor coverage to your financial plans. Self-funding alternatives, such as using home equity or establishing a dedicated fund, can also offer additional ways to manage future care needs.


Adopting varied strategies allows you to build a retirement plan that is adaptable and well-rounded. Proactive decisions now can lead to a financially stable future with greater freedom and flexibility. A tailored approach ensures you are not solely reliant on conventional government programs. This creates room for personal growth and new opportunities in later years. Thoughtful planning today shapes a secure retirement

Discover how Stroke Camp can help you and your loved ones embrace life after a stroke with empowering resources, inspiring stories, and unique support experiences.

A stroke paralyzed her left side. She's since run the New York City Marathon 3 times.

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By Deborah Lynn Blumberg, American Heart Association News

During a Saturday morning run around her Portland, Oregon, neighborhood, Katie McCarron's left leg felt numb. The next day, while playing soccer with her intermural women's team, she felt like she was moving in slow motion even though she was giving her usual effort.

"Katie! Why are you letting everyone pass you?" a teammate good-naturedly called out.

That night, on the way home from dinner out with her husband, David, and kids Maggie, 11 at the time, and Matt, who was 14, Katie slurred her words like she'd had too much to drink. She hadn't.

The next morning, Katie – who was 46 and otherwise healthy – felt numb on her entire left side. She went for an MRI, which was inconclusive. When she woke up the following day, she couldn't move her left side at all. She knew it was time to go to the hospital.

Tests in the emergency room led doctors to conclude she'd had a lacunar stroke. It's a stroke that happens when an artery that brings blood to a deep part of the brain gets blocked. In Katie's case, it happened in the part of the brain that controls movement.

Katie's potassium was low, too. She got potassium through an IV drip and perked up.

She started medications to thin her blood and stabilize her blood pressure. After five days – and a few visits from her soccer teammates – she left the hospital with a walker and a goal: She wanted to get back on the soccer field.

At physical therapy, staffers started with a goal of Katie regaining her balance so she could walk on her own again. She kept her target in mind by bringing a soccer ball to therapy; she practiced kicking it down the hall. At home, Matt kicked the ball around with her.

A month into therapy, Katie stared at her left hand.

"You need to open," she said.

It was the 33rd anniversary of her father's death. She pictured him encouraging her. She imagined him saying, "You need to open your hand and get on with life."

By the end of the session, her hand had opened.

Maggie helped Katie shop for stretchy clothes that were easier to put on. She helped her mom with necklace clasps, too. Katie also could no longer wear high heels. "The little things add up and bother you," she said. "It sounds like nothing, but it's a loss."

Katie's stepson Tim helped by driving Matt and Maggie to activities. Stepson Jessie, who was training to be a doctor, supported Katie with regular phone calls of encouragement. "I was lucky because I had a very good support system," she said.

Slowly, Katie made progress, from walking with a walker, then a cane, to walking on her own. But she still couldn't use her left hand the way she used to.

She started going on walks with her dog, Rosie. During their first outing, the 45-pound standard poodle was so excited she accidentally pulled Katie to the ground. Katie got back up and kept walking. Eventually, the two were jogging together.

Katie also enrolled in a high-intensity task therapy program. She put pegs in boards and carried cups of water across the room.

Her hard work paid off. About a year after her stroke, she returned to the soccer field.

Katie was in such good shape that two years after returning to soccer and three years after her stroke, she registered for the 2009 New York City Marathon to raise money for the then-National Stroke Association.

Wearing a T-shirt that read, "I am not a plodder! I am a stroke survivor!" she ran across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, finishing to cheers in Central Park.

"It was a slow, slow jog," Katie said. "But it was very encouraging to have that goal and to actually achieve it."

A week later, she signed up for the 2010 race. Then she ran it again in 2011.

A few years later, Rosie got sick. The veterinarian said Rosie didn't have long to live. Katie had a hunch that Rosie might benefit from a healthier diet. So Katie began cooking fresh meals for Rosie. She ended up living nearly three more years.

That led to Katie starting a business that sells nutritious meals for pets.

"It never ceases to amaze me how she held everything together," David said. "To this day, she's never complained, and she's doing remarkably well."

Still, life presents challenges. Recently, Katie tripped over her left foot, fell and hurt her hand. She also sometimes wonders if she'll have another stroke.

She tries to focus on what she can control – regular checkups, eating healthy and exercising. She also has a new standard poodle named Winnie. The two enjoy their daily walks together.

"You're always nervous once you've had a stroke, if it's going to happen again," Katie said. "It's a feeling that you never really shake off. I try to tell myself, 'You've been fine, and you should be fine.'"

Stories From the Heart chronicles the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers and advocates.

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American Heart Association News Stories
American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Not all views expressed in American Heart Association News stories reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Statements, conclusions, accuracy and reliability of studies published in American Heart Association scientific journals or presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the American Heart Association’s official guidance, policies or positions.

Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt from or reprint these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News.

Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the American Heart Association’s Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service.

HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately.

Aging Well: Powerful Natural Supplements for Life-Long

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Aging Well: 

Powerful Natural Supplements 

for Life-Long

Written by Andrea Needham

and submitted for pubication

all rights reserved

Photo by Freepik Freepik

In the quest for a long and vibrant life, natural supplements offer a promising path to sustained energy and health. Beyond traditional diet and exercise, these supplements harness nature’s ingredients to support the body’s resilience and vitality as we age. 

From adaptogenic herbs to nutrient-rich extracts, the right combination can promote cellular health, reduce inflammation, and bolster immunity—all critical factors in maintaining wellness over time. 

For those interested in enhancing longevity without a complex regimen, exploring these natural options can provide accessible, effective solutions to living life fully at any age.

Turmeric’s Role in Combating  Aging Challenges

Turmeric is a standout in the natural supplement arena, particularly for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

The active ingredient, curcumin, has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers, which can enhance antioxidant defenses and mitigate cell damage. This makes turmeric a valuable ally in addressing inflammation-related disorders like arthritis and diabetes, common as we age. 

By adding turmeric to your daily routine, you can support a healthier, more vibrant life.

Energize Body and Mind with Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogenic herb known for enhancing physical endurance and mental acuity. While extended use hasn’t shown significant changes in peak heart rate or test duration, it can help combat fatigue during prolonged physical efforts by improving fatty acid utilization and antioxidant defense. 

Additionally, research indicates that Rhodiola Rosea can enhance mental performance, particularly in tasks requiring quick cognitive processing. However, be mindful of potential side effects like low blood pressure, especially if you’re on other medications. 

Including Rhodiola Rosea in your regimen could be a strategic move to boost vitality and resilience.

Embrace Youthfulness with Super Greens

Incorporating super greens into your diet can be a powerful ally in the quest for graceful aging. 

These nutrient-dense supplements, bursting with essential micronutrients, help mitigate oxidative stress, a major contributor to age-related health challenges like cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. 

Rich in antioxidants, super greens not only combat cellular damage but also bolster your immune system, ensuring it functions optimally. 

When considering the best greens powders, look for formulas that include probiotics and digestive enzymes, as they enhance gut health and improve overall digestion.

Ginkgo Biloba for Enhanced Memory and Circulation

For those looking to enhance memory and brain function, Ginkgo biloba is a powerful natural supplement. Its rich extracts contain flavonoids and terpenoids, compounds with strong antioxidant properties. 

These not only protect cells from oxidative stress but also promote cerebral circulation by widening blood vessels and reducing blood viscosity.

Studies suggest these properties may enhance blood flow to the brain and support  neurotransmitter activity, vital for cognitive performance. 

While research results vary, promising evidence supports Ginkgo biloba’s role in memory enhancement.

Maca Root for Hormone Harmony and Energy

Maca root has been a staple in the Andean diet for over two millennia, celebrated for its ability to support hormone balance and energy levels. Rich in plant sterols, maca influences the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, crucial for regulating the endocrine system.

By affecting glands like the ovaries, pineal, and thyroid, maca helps maintain homeostasis and overall well-being. 

Modern studies back these traditional uses, showing maca’s potential in promoting energy, mood, and stamina. 

If you’re seeking natural ways to sustain vitality, incorporating maca root could be beneficial.

Build Strong Bones with Vitamin D Power

Vitamin D supplements are crucial for enhancing calcium absorption, essential for
maintaining strong bone health. 

Once consumed, vitamin D transforms into its active form, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, which binds to the vitamin D receptor, aiding calcium and phosphorus absorption in your intestines. This process ensures your bones receive the necessary minerals to remain strong and fracture-resistant. 

This synergy between vitamin D and calcium highlights how simple supplementation can actively prevent osteoporotic conditions and enhance bone vitality.

                  Liver Health Reinforced 

                          by Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a powerful herb known for its active compound, silymarin, which supports liver health by combating damage from toxins like acetaminophen overdose. 

Studies emphasize the importance of standardized formulations to maximize therapeutic benefits.

While milk thistle offers promising support, it should complement a balanced diet rich in liver-friendly foods like garlic and green tea. Integrating it with lifestyle changes, such as reducing fatty and processed foods and staying hydrated, can foster a comprehensive detox approach.

As you stand at the crossroads of modern science and ancient herbal wisdom, embracing these natural supplements offers a vibrant path forward—a path where longevity isn’t merely about adding years to your life but enriching the life in your years. 

Each supplement, with its unique properties, provides a stepping stone toward enhanced well-being, allowing you to craft a personalized regimen that resonates with your body’s needs.

By integrating these natural allies into your daily routine, you’re not just opting for a healthier lifestyle; you’re investing in a future teeming with vitality and enriched by the boundless energy that nature so generously offers.

    Discover a transformative retreat experience at

             Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp

where stroke survivors and caregivers find joy, support,  and a renewed zest for life!

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Hours after a massive stroke, 39-year-old was talking and moving

  

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Hours after a massive stroke,

39-year-old was talking and moving

By Diane Daniel, American Heart Association News

Stroke survivor Ashley Lunardini with her dog, Ruby. 

(Photo courtesy of Ashley Lunardini)

For a week or so, Ashley Lunardini felt an intermittent pain in her neck. She also had a dull headache that wouldn't go away. She'd had neck pain before, but headaches were rare.

Overall, she was in excellent health. At 39, she went to Pilates class three times a week, walked every day and ate healthy meals.

She went to see her primary care physician. She didn't see anything wrong. Thinking Lunardini's discomfort could be caused by a nerve, the doctor gave her a prescription for pain medicine.

That evening, Lunardini became nauseous and dizzy. She assumed it was a reaction to the medication.

The next morning, a Friday, she felt fine. After a quick trip to the grocery store, she pulled into her driveway. Steering toward the garage, she became so dizzy she had to stop the car. Soon after, she was fine.

A half hour later, the vision in her left eye started to blur. Before long, it cleared up.

"Something is really weird," she told her husband, Tim Barlog.

A pub in their Chicago neighborhood was having a dog-friendly event that evening, and the couple wanted to take Ruby, their dachshund-beagle mix. Lunardini had noted that Ruby had followed her everywhere all week and whined when she was away – things the dog never did. At the pub, she stayed under Lunardini's chair, again out of character.

Back home an hour later, the couple was about to order a pizza when Lunardini suddenly felt a surge of electricity course through her body.

"Something's not right," she told Barlog. "What is wrong with me?"

She started to cry.

"Here, drink some water," he said, handing her a glass.

With a shaking hand, she started to take the glass but didn't know what to do with it. Then she slumped over on the couch.

"Ashley, can you hear me?" Barlog yelled.

She could. But no words came out of her mouth.

Barlog called 911. Paramedics arrived within two minutes.

After being assessed, Lunardini was taken to a Level 1 trauma hospital about 10 minutes away, where she would get the highest level of care.

She could hear the paramedics talk to her in the ambulance, but she couldn't answer. Only later did she learn that the strange snorting sound she'd heard had come from her. She was gasping for air.

Doctors quickly determined that she'd had a massive stroke. It was caused by a clot in her basilar artery. The basilar is the main artery that carries blood to the back portion of the brain.

After they gave her clot-busting medication, Ashley's sister, Kristin Lunardini, joined Barlog in the room with Ashley. By then, she was unresponsive, paralyzed and intubated.

"We won't know what brain damage has occurred until she's out of surgery," the doctor said.

"The stats they gave were not optimistic," Kristin said. "It was terrifying to see her in that state."

She and Barlog sobbed as they sat with Ashley.

A couple of hours later, doctors performed a thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure to remove the clot.

A nurse later said to Barlog and Kristin: "You can see her before going home for the night. She's awake and moving."

They were dumbfounded.

"As we got closer to her room, I could hear her voice," Kristin said. "Then I saw her legs move. We were all just sobbing."

Although Ashley had some memory loss and vision issues, her motor skills and speech were intact.

Even doctors were amazed at her recovery. A few physicians who heard about her case stopped by to see for themselves this patient who'd made such a dramatic reversal.

Ashley was in the intensive care unit for eight days while doctors performed diagnostic tests. They also needed to do another procedure.

The clot had developed because she had several dissections, or tears, in the arteries in her neck. Doctors used stents to keep them open and restore blood flow. What caused the dissections? Doctors couldn't find a reason.

Once home, Ashley did a month of physical therapy and five months of occupational therapy. That helped with her memory loss and vision. Ruby stayed by her side, as she had done just before the stroke.

The first three months post-stroke, Ashley felt constant pressure in her brain. She went from taking small steps around the house to going outside to eventually walking around the block. She returned to work part time after six weeks and returned to full time a few months later.

While Ashley's body continued to heal, emotionally she was traumatized.

"The anxiety I felt during recovery, especially the first three months, was paralyzing," she said. "In some ways, I wished I would have blacked out and remembered nothing of my stroke. Maybe that would have been easier."

In May 2023, nine months after her stroke, she was cleared to begin exercising at the gym. She also started driving short distances. However, there were many times when she made plans to get together with family or friends, then backed out.

"I don't always know what triggers her, but I try to stay flexible," said Kristin, who is a social worker and thus brings a deeper understanding of Ashley's challenges. "I think the whole family has more of an awareness that things can change really quickly."

               Ashley Lunardini (left) with her sister, Kristin, and dog, Ruby. 

                            (Photo courtesy of Ashley Lunardini)

Well over a year after the stroke, Ashley still struggles with leaving her "bubble." One incentive is traveling, something she and Barlog have always enjoyed.

So far, she's only felt comfortable returning to U.S. cities she's visited often. Even then, before each trip, she makes sure the town has a hospital with a Level 1 trauma center. And while Ruby doesn't travel with her, she brings the next best thing: a toy dachshund named Fuby.

For the two-year anniversary of her stroke survival, the couple celebrated with a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona.

By the three-year anniversary, she hopes to have returned to traveling internationally.

"It's still hard to step outside my bubble," she said, "but I also don't want to live in constant fear."

                           Ashley Lunardini (left) with her husband, Tim Barlog. 

                                    (Photo courtesy of Ashley Lunardini)

Stories From the Heart chronicles the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers and advocates.

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Caregivers Can Find Work/Life Balance With This Guide

 

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The following article was written by 

Andea Needham eldersday.org

and submitted to us for publication on our blog. 

Caregivers Can Find Work/Life Balance With This Guide

Photo via Pexels

Balancing the demands of caregiving, work, and personal life can be a challenging endeavor. For those who provide care for seniors, the complexities of juggling these responsibilities often require careful planning and self-awareness. You must focus on strategies that allow you to maintain your well-being while fulfilling your commitments both at home and at work. In this article, presented by Stroke Camp, we’ll talk about a few ways you can find balance in all aspects of your life.

Establish Firm Limits

Establishing clear boundaries is crucial in maintaining a balance between caregiving, work, and personal life. When you set defined limits, you create space to focus on each area without unnecessary overlap. It helps to communicate openly with your employer about your caregiving responsibilities and to ensure that your work schedule accommodates these needs. Similarly, setting boundaries at home can help you avoid burnout by allocating specific times for work, caregiving, and personal time, thus promoting a healthier balance.

Master the Art of Saying No

Learning to say no is a vital skill in balancing your various roles. While it’s natural to want to accommodate everyone’s needs, overextending yourself can lead to stress and burnout. By declining additional responsibilities when necessary, you preserve your energy for the most important tasks. This might mean saying no to extra projects at work or delegating some caregiving duties to others. Prioritizing your well-being allows you to perform your roles more effectively, without feeling overwhelmed.

Advance Your Career Through Online Learning

Considering your career progression while caregiving may seem overwhelming, but pursuing an online degree can provide flexibility. If you're looking to expand your career options in fields like nurse education, informatics, administration, or advanced practice, give this a view. The online format allows you to manage your studies alongside your caregiving duties, making it possible to further your career without compromising your current responsibilities. This approach not only enhances your skills but also opens new doors for future opportunities.

Think Ahead with Strategic Planning

Planning for the future is key to managing your responsibilities effectively. Whether focusing on long-term care for your loved one or strategizing your career progression, a clear plan keeps you organized and prepared. Creating a schedule that balances work and caregiving duties, or setting professional goals, can help you stay on track. By anticipating challenges and preparing in advance, you minimize unexpected stress and ensure you can handle your responsibilities with confidence.

Cultivate Supportive Relationships

Maintaining strong relationships with friends and family is key to sustaining your well-being. These connections provide emotional support, which is invaluable when managing the pressures of caregiving and work. Make time to connect with loved ones, even if it’s just a quick phone call or a coffee break. Nurturing these relationships helps you recharge, offering a sense of balance and perspective. Your support network can also provide practical help, further lightening your load and helping you maintain a balanced life.

Acknowledge and Celebrate Progress

Amid the demands of caregiving and work, it’s important to recognize and celebrate small victories. Acknowledging your accomplishments, no matter how minor they seem, boosts morale and motivation. Whether it’s successfully managing a particularly hectic day or achieving a career milestone, taking the time to appreciate your efforts reinforces your ability to balance multiple roles. Celebrating these moments reminds you that your hard work is paying off and provides the encouragement needed to continue balancing your responsibilities.

Finding balance between caregiving, work, and personal life is not without its challenges, but it is certainly achievable. By implementing thoughtful approaches and staying mindful of your own needs, you can manage these responsibilities effectively. Through careful planning and a focus on what truly matters, you can ensure a fulfilling and balanced life.

The team at Stroke Camp aims to help stroke survivors improve their quality of life through thoughtfully-planned weekend retreats and educational resources. Have a question? Reach out today to learn more.

Please let me know once the article is published. If you can share the link that would be great.

Best,

Andrea Needham

andrea@eldersday.org