41-year Old Man Recovers from Brain Hemorrhage
I try not to think about it because I want to move forward. But, especially at this time of year, I remember what it was like for me six years ago. I was blessed in so many ways. I had a job I truly loved as a prominent radio personality, I had (and still do) a wife whom I love more each day, and together we had a one year old son who is absolutely unbelievable!
At 41, I considered myself as someone who was in pretty good shape. I don't smoke or drink and was a high school and college letterman in cross country. Then, on December 30, 2002, I was playing with my son in the living room while my wife was in the basement doing laundry. I suddenly got the worst headache of my life. I put our son back in his playpen and just rubbed my head. I remember my wife coming upstairs and sitting me on the recliner. I also remember trying to assure her that I was alright, but the words wouldn't come out the way I wanted them to.
I had experienced a brain hemorrhage. My wife immediately called 911 and the ambulance came. After that, everything was a blur. I'm told I spent several hours at Parma Hospital until they suggested I get life flighted to University Hospital. There, surgery was performed on my brain. The procedure was done on the last day of the year. Most people celebrate New Year's Eve, but my family didn't. While I was unconscious they were praying that I was going to live.
I can't bear to think what my wife was going through. I just have glimpses of various family members holding my hand at my bedside. The doctors and nurses at University Hospital suggested I do my rehabilitation at MetroHealth Medical Center because of its outstanding reputation for brain surgery recovery. I spent six weeks at MetroHealth in rehabilitation. When I stop and think of what could have happened I realize just how blessed I am - Dr. Usharani Tandra, Physical Medicine & Rehab, at MetroHealth wouldn't let me forget that I could very well be in a wheel chair, be unable to speak, have permanent memory loss or a combination of all three.
My rehabilitation was grueling! The doctors and nurses at MetroHealth wouldn't let me rest and I thank them for it! I had a full schedule of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. I remember walking up and down stairs, cooking meals, food shopping, and counting change as if it were my first time.
Besides the tremendous therapists, I owe my quality of life to my family. Whenever someone came to see me they pulled change out of their pockets and had me count it. Or they played flash cards with me. Or they made me look at a clock and tell time. They had me recite the major holidays or they had me read a calendar. They even gave me a journal in which to write my daily experiences. My therapists had me put puzzles together, name each state, look up a number in a phone book, and even had me play bingo (which, at first, was a harrowing task).
I remember feeling depressed because some of these simple things seemed so complex. I have a lot of faith. Honestly, I don't know how someone with little or no faith could have gotten through what I went through. I was very fortunate. I had a roommate who was caught in an explosion and I could see, firsthand, what he and his family were going through. I think of him from time to time and wonder how he made out. There is always someone worse off then you. I hope he had faith in God doing what He feels is best. I definitely know this. God gave me a second chance at life.
Other ailments not related to my brain hemorrhage have forced me to be a stay at home dad. Two years ago I had open heart surgery to repair a leaky valve; I also suffer from retinitis pigmentosa. My vision is getting narrower and narrower and it's very frustrating at times. As I mentioned at the beginning, my wife has stood by me through all this. Our son, who is now 7, makes both of us extremely proud! He's full of life, inquisitive, very smart, loves sports, and is just a good all around kid!
My wife works full-time as an accountant while I help out at our son's school and help him with his homework. I try to help out as much as I can at home by snow plowing, walking our dog, Bob, washing clothes, dusting and, even cooking from time to time. Our lives may not be perfect but I've learned the most important things in life are happiness, family, friends, having a purpose to get up in the morning, and love. In these areas, I'm the luckiest guy around!
I will never forget Dr. Tandra and all the wonderful people on the 7th floor brain rehabilitation department at MetroHealth who worked my butt off so I could regain ALL my faculties. I look at them all as angels from heaven!
Submitted by:
Rob Schuler
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