Young mother makes a full recovery at Englewood Hospital after stroke

COURTESY PHOTOS

During a routine day at home, Kimberly Cansler, a 44-year-old mother of nine children, suddenly felt her leg go numb.

She is the director of HCA Florida Healthcare at Home ( www.hcafloridahealthcare.com/specialties/healthcareat home), a service that provides home health expertise and resources for patients as they transition to care outside the hospital setting. Given her role in health care, Cansler recognized the symptoms immediately and knew she was having a stroke.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are vital to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

If someone you know is experiencing signs of a stroke — face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty — don’t delay care. Medical intervention is required to stop a stroke and prevent excessive damage to the brain. The sooner treatment is administered, the more brain cells can be preserved and the better the long-term outcome.

Recently, the American Heart Association conducted a survey to determine the common reasons why 911 was not called for possible strokes. Many hesitated because they did not realize it was an emergency or thought driving was faster than calling an ambulance. Early treatment saves lives.

“Stroke signs and symptoms, whether it be a heart attack or stroke, take those symptoms seriously,” Cansler warned. “Call 911. Do not drive yourself.”

“When every second counts, aligning patient care with the latest evidence-based treatment guidelines and processes ensures the best outcomes for our stroke patients,” explained the hospital’s chief medical officer, Paul Chupka, D.O.

In Cansler’s case, her daughter, a nursing student, called 911, and she was transported by ambulance to the Primary Stroke Center at HCA Florida Englewood Hospital.

“Paramedics begin coordinating with our emergency team while they are on the way to the hospital,” Chupka said. “The patient is met by the Emergency Room physician and the nursing staff, labs are drawn immediately, the patient is taken to radiology for scanning. At the same time, tele-neurology is being activated.”

While at the hospital, Cansler received a personalized treatment plan, including physical, speech and occupational therapy to support her physical, mental and emotional functions.

“I had a nurse named Olga,” Cansler said. “She gave me the power to push through it and gave my daughter peace of mind.”

Cansler recently had an opportunity to reunite with members of her care team.

“To be able to go back and see them again, show them what they did for me, and thank them brought tears to my eyes,” she said.

In 2023, the American Heart Association awarded Englewood Hospital with Get With The Guidelines Stroke Quality Achievement Awards for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research based guidelines. The awards included the Target Stroke Elite Honor Roll, Silver Plus and the Target Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll.

“My quality of life now is wonderful. I’m able to do all my activities of daily living,” Cansler said. “The HCA Florida Englewood Hospital nurses and all the staff were absolutely amazing. It’s like family.”

Learn more about stroke care at www.hcafloridahealthcare.com/specialties/ neurological-care/stroke, and follow HCA Florida Englewood Hospital at www.facebook.com/HCAFloridaEnglewoodHospital.

The post Young mother makes a full recovery at Englewood Hospital after stroke first appeared on Town Chronicle .