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Stroke is the number one cause of serious adult disability in the United States. Disability caused by the stroke is devastating to the patient and family, but therapies are available to help rehabilitate patients after stroke.
For Mr. Sidney J. Gutting, DC, therapy has helped him return to many of his regular daily living activities. Mr. Gutting suffered a stroke on September 22, 2021. He was camping with his wife Phyllis and had been cleaning windows on their camper. He mentioned to her that his legs felt heavy. He decided to rest, got himself something to eat and then sat down.
“I got up to move and I couldn’t,” he said.
He described his entire body as unable to function and it was then that his wife called 911. After spending a week in the hospital, he was transferred to the Acute Inpatient Rehab program at Murray-Calloway County Hospital where he would spend the next 22 days of intense therapy. Following that program, he completed at home therapy and is now in outpatient therapy two times a week where he continues to progress and strengthen his left side and particularly his hand and arm for better functionality.
As a part of his treatment plan, Mr. Gutting continues with both physical and occupation therapy and continues to use a hemi walker during therapy.
“The therapy has helped reeducate the nerves in my arm and hand so that I have more movement. I’m also receiving therapy for my lower back,” said Mr. Gutting.
The aim of his physical therapy is to help stroke patients such as Mr. Gutting relearn simple motor activities such as walking, sitting, standing, lying down, and the process of switching from one type of movement to another.
Samantha Gillum, Occupational Therapist and Kim Clark, Occupational Therapist both work with Sidney to help with normal daily activities. This type of therapy also involves exercise and training. Its goal is to help the stroke patient relearn everyday activities such as eating, drinking and swallowing, dressing, bathing, cooking, reading and writing, and using the toilet. Occupational therapists seek to help the patient become independent or semi-independent.
“I tell them all – they’re a part of my family now,” Mr. Gutting said smiling.
His wife Phyllis says it will be one year in September since her husband’s stroke, as well as her birthday is on September 26th and they will celebrate their 32nd Anniversary on the 29th. There is a lot to be thankful for and she’s looking forward to having a celebration this year.
For additional information on outpatient rehab at MCCH contact the Center for Rehab and Sports Medicine at 270.762.1854 or visit www.murrayhospital.org
