Dennis G.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
By: Dennis Guinane

Survivor

A Rude Awakening

I experienced my stroke on January 28th, 2010. My wife recognized the stroke symptoms immediately, as she is a retired nurse, and dialed 911. I was transported to the nearest medical facility, which is 18 miles away. From there my wife insisted that I be transported to Bergen Mercy Hospital in Omaha, NE, so as I could be seen by Dr. Schima, a neurologist with Omaha Neurological Clinic. He immediately ordered tests and it was determined that I indeed had had a stroke. After four days of testing, he recommended that I transfer to Immanuel Rehabilitation Hospital in Omaha where I underwent five days of rehab. I was released to my home, where I continued my rehabilitation.

By late April, 2010 I was cleared to resume my "new" life, I was almost fully recovered, with no physical problems. However, I knew that I still had a "problem", only with my vocabulary and with my emotions.

We have since celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary, which I was not sure about after I had my stroke. We have also resumed our life and experienced two wonderful, long delayed, trips to Alaska and then Hawaii. I still am experiencing problems with my vocabulary and my emotions, however, I can live with both of these as long as I am still active and doing the things that give me pleasure, and being able to continue loving my wife and family.

Special thank you to Dr. Schima, Immanuel Rehab staff and my loving wife.