This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
Published on July 9, 2019, Dr. Richard C. Senelick emphasizes the importance of knowledge in caring for stroke patients. As the author of 'Living With Stroke: A Guide for Families,' he advises caregivers to learn everything they can about stroke, their loved one's condition, and prognosis.
Mr. Baxter's book 'Relentless: How a Massive Stroke Changed My Life for the Better' shares his experience of living with a stroke, including the loving involvement of his wife in his care. Although they have since divorced and each remarried, she remains committed to helping other caregivers learn from their experience.
Ms. Baxter, now Ms. Renzoni, living in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., recalls receiving little professional guidance beyond the advice from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to 'avoid open-ended questions' and instead ask yes-and-no questions.
She shares her experience of practicing patience when communicating with Mr. Baxter, saying, 'If I became anxious, things really took longer. If I went too quickly with questions, trying to guess what he wanted to say, Ted would get frustrated.'
Ms. Renzoni also recounts the challenges of understanding Mr. Baxter's language, saying, 'Ted would say, 'I want gym' and I'd say, 'You want to go to the gym?' and he would shake his head 'no'. Finally, after several more guesses, he pointed to his mouth and I said, 'You mean gum?' I had to translate, as if from a foreign language I didn't speak.'
