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Care Partner of the Month
page 3

Madline Brown
Houston, TX

When Larry was released from the hospital, I wanted him to know that he was still very special so I hired a limousine, had grapes, cheeses and sparkling grape juice for the ride home. We parked in front of a waterfall, listened to water and talked to get him adjusted to going home. His staff members were wonderful in terms of giving me grocery shopping and running errands time. He remained on the upbeat. We drove to therapy and I did therapy with him at home. It was a fulltime job. For a twelve week period, Monday through Friday, I drove him to an intensive rehabilitation program at the hospital following botox treatment. We were there from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. It was exhausting but beneficial.

Time came for me to return to work so I hired someone to be with Larry and take him to therapy. When that ended, I would report to my job for a while, lock my office, go home to get him to therapy, return to work, back to pick him up to go home. I began to learn survival skills for myself because I had a two-week bout with pneumonia and needed to focus on myself. Coping skills like a relaxing aromatherapy, candlelight soak in the tub once I got him settled helped. Larry and I discussed what he should not attempt to do alone and he has always remained true to the agreement so I could afford a few minutes of sitting in the pool or trying a new body lotion. These may sound small but when you are up most of the night, keeping up with his meds, schedules to the doctors, cooking balanced meals, doing at home therapy and trying to spend some quality time with him, any way to pamper yourself helps diminish the degree of mental anguish.

My husband has been very free with expressing his gratitude to me and to the family and friends for all that has been done for him. He says “Thank you” on a daily basis and although it is not necessary it helps. He now drives some and is involved with several activities. We have been able to open a small resale shop on weekends and membership in the Stroke of Hope Foundation – Houston Network has been a joy for us. He has shared his ideas for our network and that is a big help to me. I now have the opportunity to take a trip for just myself yearly and I can return refreshed and he can have the experience of independence.

The road is difficult and long but had I not looked at the stroke as another of God’s blessings perhaps we would not have grown spiritually as much and would not have learned to smell the roses and above all value family. It is not the problem, it is how we perceive it and approach it.