Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 4, 2019

dressed so she could take him to the hospital. Gary said when they got to Kootenai, he was treated quickly. Tests were performed in order to determine the type of stroke he had experienced: an ischemic lacunar infarct. A lacunar stroke is a type of ischemic stroke that occurs when blood flow to one of the small arteries deep within the brain becomes blocked. Close to 80 percent of all strokes are ischemic. “In recent years Kootenai has been advancing its acute stroke care program and the Rehabilitation Hospital has become stroke- certified,” Dr. Britt said. “Each hospital provides high-quality services to patients, helping them move smoothly between the institutions and ultimately into follow-up care with Kootenai Clinic physicians or another provider in the region.” Gary’s stroke left him with balance and locomotion challenges due to severe left-sided weakness. He had left-sided facial drooping and some swallowing issues. Gary began working with physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists—both at the hospital and after he was transferred to RHN, located in Post Falls—to start his body’s re-education. “I was treated very well at Kootenai with thorough analysis of my symptoms and diagnosis,” Gary said. “I really appreciated the careful consideration and treatment from the providers, nurses and therapists.” He and Joyce recalled they were looking forward to receiving treatment at RHN: “We had heard about their reputation of being a top-rated hospital and their specialty care for stroke patients.” Careyoucancount on RHN is Joint Commission-certified in stroke. Patients admitted there are under the care of a physician in an acute hospital setting while they work with nurses, physical therapists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and a registered dietitian. Gary said the things he appreciated the most at RHN included that “the staff did not minimize what had happened. I was being faced with a new life, and we had to get to work to learn how to adjust and rehabilitate. When you have a stroke, your sense of dignity changes because you need help. The therapists were honest and didn’t overpromise how quickly I would make progress, but fortunately the quality of therapy every day and the team’s good care and humor is what helped me along.” Following his stay at RHN, Gary worked with a home health agency. Today, he still sees the physical and occupational therapists at Kootenai Health Rehabilitation Services. Gary can now drive again, and he continues to work on building strength, motion and independence. Gary said his life has definitely changed, but “humor, creativity, and the gracious and kind people that have helped me through this journey have made this a good learning process. I have faith that God is in control. This may not be your traditional reading, writing and arithmetic, but I believe I am being prepared to help others through a similar struggle by what I have learned.” Gary Henry is on the mend and back to an active retirement after being treated for a stroke last November. KH . ORG 19