Brain Stem Stroke and Wallenberg

[jlight1974]

My husband (58 years old) had a brain stem stroke January 2011 due to high blood pressure.  His first symptom was he couldn't swallow.  We took him to the ER, only to diagnose at first with high bp.  They gave him water to drink and ice cream in the ER, which of course he aspirated.  They were going to send him home, but I insisted they keep him at least overnight for observation.  Finally after he started vomiting, I demanded a neurologist see him, who immediately diagnosed the stroke and moved him to ICU where he stayed for 2 weeks, on the vent and feeding tube.  After 2 weeks he was moved to the rehab floor with a trach and feeding tube.  He receive inpatient OT, PT and Speech therapy for 3 months.  He is now taking outpatient PT and Speech therapy.  He still has numbness and really bad tingling of the right side.  The left side is week as well.  His main issue is he has no balance.  He is swallowing some, pudding consistency but still has the feeding tube.  He has really bad dry left eye, but no pain associated.  He hasn't suffered any pain, other than shoulder which is now better.  It has been 9 months now, and he can only walk with a walker and that's very slow.  He still needs help with most normal activities.  He does get depressed at times, but for the most part, has kept his faith in God and looking forward to recovering fully.  The neurologist tells him that he will get his balance back but will take time.  I only hope he is not just telling him this.  For the most part, he was very healthy and very active.  We didn't know that he had a blood pressure issue.  He retired January 2009.  Hunted most every day or rode his motor cycle or active with the church.  So he was always doing something.  It breaks my heart to see him this way.  I was wondering if anyone else had anything similar.  Just looking for some hope that in due time, he'll be able to walk without assistance so he can enjoy life again.  

[Laralee2015]

I just wondered how are things now. 5 years later.
Blessings.