Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 4, 2019

S t r o k e A f t e r a S t r o k e A f t e r a Gary Henry greeted me warmly with a big smile. The physical act of smiling might be something we don’t think about much, but Gary has been working with his speech therapist to learn to smile again. Gary experienced a stroke just after Thanksgiving last year and received treatment at Kootenai Health and Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest (RHN). Gary considers his journey a learning process that has prepared him to help others. Learning and teaching are not new to Gary. He worked as an elementary school teacher for 39 years and taught locally at Dalton Elementary from 1978 until he retired in 2005. He and his wife, Joyce, who are celebrating 48 years of marriage, laughed as Gary said, “For many years we couldn’t go anywhere without running into students, past students and their families.” Prior to Gary’s stroke, he was active in retirement. He volunteered with a group that cut and sold firewood in order to pay for the drilling of water wells in India. He and his friend also built playgrounds at local school yards and private homes for a number of summers. “We were active and enjoying retirement while traveling,” he said. “Our daughter and son, who is also a teacher, both live in Spokane, and we have four grandsons.” November’s medical emergency wasn’t Gary’s first brush with a stroke. In the ’90s, he was typing at work when all of a sudden he couldn’t see the top of the keyboard and his left arm dropped. His co-worker and good friend rushed him to Kootenai Health to receive treatment. Fortunately, Gary was treated by Charles Britt, M.D., and he quickly recovered. Dr. Britt recommended Gary begin a baby aspirin regimen to help lower his blood pressure, and together he and his health care team monitored his blood pressure to help prevent future issues. Based on his two stroke experiences, Gary said: “I would tell anyone experiencing stroke-like symptoms to call 911 immediately. Get to Kootenai as soon as you can.” The road to recovery Just after Thanksgiving last year, Gary woke up one night to use the restroom. He noticed he felt a little dizzy and attributed it to sinus congestion, so he went back to sleep. When Gary awoke again at 5 a.m., he got up and noticed he was bumping into furniture and the hallway walls. He struggled with his left side and knew he was having another stroke. Joyce rushed to get You don’t have to go it alone. Let Kootenai Health help you regain your independence. Learn more about Dr. Britt and Kootenai Clinic Neurology at KH.org/ neurology or by calling (208) 625-5100 . Learn more about Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest at rhn.ernesthealth.com or by calling (208) 262-8700 . Hard work and top-quality care are key to recovery By Heidi Frazier, Rehabilitation Hospital of the Northwest t r o e A f t r a 18