Stroke Survivor’s Journey: Overcoming Symptoms and COVID-19 Complications
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Shelley Marshall, a stroke survivor, found herself facing not only the challenges of her recovery but also the devastating complications of COVID-19. This is the story of her remarkable journey to overcome these obstacles and regain her health.
It all started on a seemingly ordinary morning when Marshall was driving her daughter, Kennley McCown, to high school. As they engaged in casual conversation about Kennley’s field hockey team, Marshall’s words came out garbled and incomprehensible. Alarmed, Kennley immediately questioned her mother’s well-being, suspecting a stroke. However, Marshall appeared fine physically, with no drooping face or arm weakness. She reassured her daughter, but deep down, she knew something was wrong.
Just two days prior, Marshall had noticed that she had slurred her own name. Coupled with slightly elevated blood pressure and her ongoing recovery from her third bout of COVID-19, Marshall’s concerns grew. Determined to seek medical attention, she called her boyfriend, Lyle Sarver, and informed him that she was heading to the emergency room at the hospital where they both worked.
Sarver met Marshall at the hospital, but by then, she felt completely fine. However, a brain scan revealed a different reality. It was discovered that one of Marshall’s carotid arteries, major blood vessels supplying the brain, was almost completely blocked in two places. Additionally, she had experienced a carotid artery dissection, a tear in the inner layer of the artery wall.
Despite these serious issues, Marshall’s symptoms remained relatively minimal. To gather more information about her condition, doctors recommended an angiogram to visualize blood flow through the vessels. However, as they awaited the procedure, Marshall’s symptoms intensified. Her speech became increasingly garbled, and she struggled to articulate certain words, particularly “perfectly.” She also experienced a worsening headache and partial paralysis on her right side.
During this challenging time, Kennley stood by her mother’s side, witnessing her pain and fearing for her life. The simple act of expressing love to her daughter required every ounce of strength Marshall had left. Sarver, too, worried about the potential long-term effects of the stroke on Marshall’s well-being.
The following morning, Marshall underwent the angiogram, and in the afternoon, she underwent a procedure to clear the blockages in her carotid artery. Three stents were placed to improve blood flow, but the surgery took twice as long as expected due to the complexity of her condition.
Once the effects of the medication wore off, Sarver asked Marshall if she recognized him and knew where she was. To his relief, she responded correctly, affirming that she knew him and was in the hospital. Kennley also tested her mother’s speech repeatedly, asking her to say the word “perfectly.” Each time, Marshall’s pronunciation was flawless.
Knowing that Marshall had avoided significant cognitive deficiencies brought immense relief to her loved ones. Although her memory has become slightly fuzzier since the stroke, Marshall considers it a minor setback. While in the hospital, doctors thoroughly examined her for any other potential issues and sought to understand the cause of her stroke. The absence of any other factors, combined with the emerging connection between COVID-19 and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, led them to believe that Marshall’s severe case of COVID-19 may have contributed to her stroke.
Following her hospital stay, Marshall took two months off work to focus on healing and regaining her strength. Determined not to let fear hold her back, she embarked on a long-planned trip to the beach in Florida with Kennley. However, she only proceeded after receiving her doctor’s clearance to fly and conducting extensive research on specialists at her destination, ensuring she had access to immediate medical care if needed.
Reflecting on her journey, Marshall acknowledges feeling tremendously lucky but admits to lingering fears, particularly regarding COVID-19. She remains vigilant in taking preventive measures to safeguard her health.
Shelley Marshall’s story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of determination in the face of adversity. Her journey reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is hope for recovery and a brighter future ahead.
