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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Fetterman/Oz Debate: Thoughts from an ER Nurse
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/10/26/2131321/-The-shocking-truth-of-the-Fetterman-debate-from-an-ER-NurseI 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 Fettermans 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
(6,797 posts)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
(16,747 posts)really sad.
blueinredohio
(6,797 posts)You can tell they want to say something but they can't.
Evolve Dammit
(16,747 posts)your post. Over 50 years ago.
wnylib
(21,501 posts)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
(19,864 posts)Wish we had thought of the communication system of having her blink her eyes to yes/no questions.
wnylib
(21,501 posts)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.
electric_blue68
(14,915 posts)Wild blueberry
(6,640 posts)Response to crickets (Original post)
Post removed
Pinback
(12,158 posts)Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)We're describing what happened. And it matched what I saw live.
W_HAMILTON
(7,869 posts)It's a rightwing tabloid -- literally: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_Mail
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)what they said happened, happened. Believe it or not
bronxiteforever
(9,287 posts)Oz or Fetterman. That is the choice. Remember Laura, no guts no glory. Enlighten us oh Plato.
Samrob
(4,298 posts)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
(25,408 posts)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
(21,501 posts)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
(33,356 posts)Cha
(297,349 posts)Encouraging.. I hope a lot of people see this.
TY wnylib
wnylib
(21,501 posts)Erie is my home town so I have an email subscription to the Erie Times.
Cha
(297,349 posts)the Erie Times.
I used to live in Little Falls Ny for 12 years by the Erie Canal.
herding cats
(19,565 posts)It's comforting to know local news was more fair.
DemForLife
(59 posts)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
(12,158 posts)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.
Its 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. Its challenging, but also quite amazing how resilient the human body and spirit can be.
Hekate
(90,727 posts)Salviati
(6,008 posts)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
(4,552 posts)Oh yea I am still voting for him.
Demsrule86
(68,606 posts)toast.
Polybius
(15,448 posts)Celerity
(43,422 posts)mopinko
(70,141 posts)had a massive stroke, over a year in the hospital, came back in a wheel chair.
nobody said shit. served out his term.
murielm99
(30,745 posts)But then I live in Illinois, like you.
BradAllison
(1,879 posts)Same with Tim Johnson.
Joinfortmill
(14,438 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,371 posts)Thanks for the thread crickets
TexasBushwhacker
(20,204 posts)Oz will always be a carpet bagging asshole