The Fetterman/Oz Debate: Thoughts from an ER Nurse

[crickets]

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/10/26/2131321/-The-shocking-truth-of-the-Fetterman-debate-from-an-ER-Nurse

I get why all the vultures are out. They desperately want to justify the media narrative to completely ignore how unfit people like Herschel Walker are, while leaning into a bullshit "b-b-b-b-both sides!!!1" schtick to claim some asinine mantle of "objectivity". And they don't get to see the effects of a stroke on people like my colleagues and I do. [snip]

I could spend another five thousand words chronicling cases like that. And so I have to tell you, to be doing as good as John Fetterman was doing last night is a huge win for any ER, ICU, or Neuro nurse watching. [snip]

I also- and I realize this is somewhat impertinent as someone who's running for a seat in the oldest legislative body in the United States of America, so I apologize to anyone who may need a fainting couch- feel I should give a big "go **** yourself" to all of the performative concern about John Fetterman from people who lauded Herschel Walker as having a brilliant debate performance. "This poor man should be in rehab," one said. "How could the Democratic party do that to anyone?" another asked, as if any of them actually cared one iota about John Fetterman’s actual well-being. [snip]

I simply hope that, at that point that happens, those people will be granted more grace and humility and understanding than it's clear they'd ever grant someone else.

___

Whittling this down to four paragraphs doesn't really do the piece justice. It isn't that long, so I recommend reading it in its entirety. Kudos to this nurse.

[blueinredohio]

1. My ex mother in law had a stroke on her right side.

She couldn't dress herself basically couldn't do anything for herself. The saddest part was she couldn't talk after though she tried so hard and got angry when she couldn't express herself.

[Evolve Dammit]

3. My grandmother was paralyzed from the neck down and couldn't talk. I was little but it was

really sad.

[blueinredohio]

5. It really is sad.

You can tell they want to say something but they can't.

[Evolve Dammit]

6. I only saw her a few times as she lived in another state. Very tragic. I'd forgotten until I read

your post. Over 50 years ago.

[wnylib]

7. My great aunt, who lived with us when

I was a child, had a massive stroke that left her bedridden, unable to move anything but her eyes. My mother developed a communication system with her using Q&A with eye blinks for answers.

Neighbors helped my mother change bedding when needed and took turns spelling her so she could get some alone, personal time. They shared neighborhood gossip stories with my aunt. Her determination combined with family and neighborhood care helped her recover.

It was a slow recovery, in increments. One day she could move her fingers, so she practiced it. Got to the point of scribbling responses if my mother held a tablet (old fashioned paper tablet) for her.

Eventually, she regained speech, although slow and slurred at first. After several months, she was able to sit and then stand. She recovered movement and the ability to walk and talk. Did a lot of practicing and exercises to strengthen herself. We did not know it then, but she was strengthening neural pathways with her practice exercises - or was developing new ones.

Throughout this period, she maintained cognitive ability.

So if she could recover from that, I have no doubt that Fetterman will fully recover in less time than it took my aunt. The only signs of stroke that remained with her were a slowed walk and some rare instances slurring of a word.

[iluvtennis]

12. thanks for sharing that story. my dear departed grandma had stroke to and couldn't move anything.

Wish we had thought of the communication system of having her blink her eyes to yes/no questions.

[wnylib]

16. That was my mother's innovation.

I shared a bedroom with that aunt. Usually she was up and dressed before I was and woke me for school. When I woke up and saw her still in bed, I knew something was wrong. I was about 8 years old. After one close look at her totally still body, I ran down to the kitchen and told my mother that our aunt was dead.

My mother knew instantly that it was a stroke from the crooked shape of the mouth. When she saw tears rolling down her face and her eyes blinking, she knew that my aunt was alive. So she had her blink once for yes and twice for no, then asked her to move her toes, then foot, etc., checking her whole body for movement. Only after that did my mother call the doctor. She told my aunt not to worry, that she would help her and promised to keep her home, not in a nursing home.

I think that the ability to communicate and have visitors helped her determination to recover and kept her from feeling left out of life.

[Higherarky]

26. ...

[iluvtennis]

31. ...

[electric_blue68]

38. What a story...

[Wild blueberry]

2. Thank you

[Pinback]

9. Shocking that the right-wing Daily Mail would trash Fetterman. (nt)

[Laura PourMeADrink]

30. Honestly didn't know. And they weren't trashing they

We're describing what happened. And it matched what I saw live.

[W_HAMILTON]

20. Why are you looking at The Daily Mail as a reputable source here?

It's a rightwing tabloid -- literally: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_Mail

[Laura PourMeADrink]

29. Didn't know, sorry. BUT I saw it live with my own eyes and

what they said happened, happened. Believe it or not

[bronxiteforever]

39. So who should we vote for in your opinion?

Oz or Fetterman. That is the choice. Remember Laura, no guts no glory. Enlighten us oh Plato.

[Samrob]

8. Reagan had Alzheimer's, FDR had polio, at least two other Pres. were alcoholics or Opium addicts.

So what are we saying about Fetterman who is running for the Senate? He certainly can not do as much harm to PA or the country as an ignorant ego maniac who wants the US to be a satellite of Russia!

[LeftInTX]

11. Apples and oranges really...

First, we are talking about campaigning and not who is more fit for office. Fetterman is fit, however speech is a campaign issue.

FDR had lots of political experience and was able to work around his polio, so it wasn't an issue on the campaign trail. Additionally FDR was not bombarded by TV.

Reagan did not have signs of Alzheimer's when he ran in 1980. I think he may have had a moment at the 1984 debate, but not too much was made of it. He had incumbent's advantage.

[wnylib]

10. The Erie, PA newspaper gave a summary

of the debate that is similar to some summaries here on DU. It said that Fetterman brought up the "elephant in the room" (his stroke) and they reported on his positions taken in the debate. They mentioned that he stumbled a few times in speaking, but there was no snark or questioning of his ability to hold office. They reported on his doctor's statement that he is fit to hold office

Their coverage of Oz included his words and position on abortion in comparison to Fetterman.

Overall, it was fair reporting. No negative bias against Fetterman over the stroke. Erie is a Dem city, but not as strongly Democratic as when I lived there. I'm hoping he takes the city and some surrounding areas in the county, which vary between Democratic vs. Republican majorities.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

13. That is encouraging. Facts favor Dems.

[Cha]

14. Wow.. Good To Know Very

Encouraging.. I hope a lot of people see this.

TY wnylib

[wnylib]

17. Although I have lived in western NY for 40 years,

Erie is my home town so I have an email subscription to the Erie Times.

[Cha]

23. Good! We're lucky to know about

the Erie Times.

I used to live in Little Falls Ny for 12 years by the Erie Canal.

[herding cats]

34. Thank you for sharing this.

It's comforting to know local news was more fair.

[DemForLife]

15. When I had my stroke...

I was 37 year old in good health at the time. I had every test known to man and they really couldn't definitively pinpoint a cause. I took at least a year before I was able to gain some of the abilities I had temporarily lost. Because of my young age, they did not do any therapy with me. So I was on my own. There were some tough moments I endured. I applaud John Fetterman for his courage to go on national TV and participate in a debate with the classless Dr. Oz. What a lowlife for using John's stroke against him. I think he is a remarkable man with a big heart and honesty to boot. Please put this man in the senate. He will do a wonderful job.

[Pinback]

22. Wow, so glad to hear about your recovery.

Have you read My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor? She had a stroke in her 30s and went through a long, difficult recovery.

It’s a remarkable and inspiring book. She also has an excellent TED Talk.

I have a young friend who had a stroke this ast summer and is gradually regaining lost functioning. It’s challenging, but also quite amazing how resilient the human body and spirit can be.

[Hekate]

24. Thanks for bringing up "My Stroke of Insight." It's an absolutely remarkable book. nt

[Salviati]

28. I watched Jill Bolte Taylor's TED talk - it's especially faciniating because she's a neuroscientist

And she knew exactly what was going on during the stroke, so getting an experts POV perspective on one is a unique experiance.

[The Jungle 1]

18. As hard as Fetterman is fighting.

Oh yea I am still voting for him.

[Demsrule86]

19. And what is being discussed endlessly everywhere. Oz and his abortion comment...he is now

toast.

[Polybius]

21. Chris Cuomo had an actual neurologist on last night to talk about his performance

[Celerity]

40. the neurologist said the vast bulk of recovery occurs the first 3 to 6 months (his stroke was 5/13)

[mopinko]

25. i'm apparently the only person who remembers mark kirk.

had a massive stroke, over a year in the hospital, came back in a wheel chair.
nobody said shit. served out his term.

[murielm99]

32. I remember.

But then I live in Illinois, like you.

[BradAllison]

35. I remember him

Same with Tim Johnson.

[Joinfortmill]

27. Amen to that

[Uncle Joe]

33. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread crickets

[TexasBushwhacker]

36. Fetterman will get better

Oz will always be a carpet bagging asshole

[Blue Owl]

37. K&R