Testimonial

Stroke - Hemiplegia, Speech loss, Brain loss

‘Duncan had a stroke during June 2001 whilst at work. He was a very active man prior to his stroke, worked as a salesman and he loved to read. Duncan did not have a history of blood pressure or cholesterol problems and he had never had any heart problem and he certainly was not overweight. In fact at the time of the stroke Duncan wasn’t even sick and he didn’t even say that he was ill. We were taken completely unawares.  

Duncan was taken to hospital and received numerous tests, scans and eventually an MRI. We were informed that Duncan had suffered a massive stroke due to a large ‘infarct of the left middle cerebral artery’. MRI during March 2002 revealed considerable scarring and deterioration not only of the middle cerebral artery but also to surrounding regions confirming significant ‘ischemic changes’ and associated degeneration.  

I was advised to admit Duncan into a nursing home, as ‘half his brain was gone’. I was devastated. My husband, my friend was completely incapable to maintain himself. He has lost his speech, he cannot walk and is confined to a wheelchair, he cannot communicate other than a vague nod for a yes or a no! In addition he has a bad leg shudder and he started taking fits. We followed all the usual advice attending rehab, physio, occupational therapy but with no real change.  

Eventually I came across an advertisement regarding Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and the Spinal Rehabilitation Group. When I showed the advert to my treating doctors they were certainly not supportive of Duncan attending and in fact it was not until many months later that out of desperation that I eventually took Duncan for him to be assessed by Dr Hooper. Dr Hooper examined Duncan, ordered an MRI and a SPECT scan which confirmed the extent of his injury. Virtually the entire left side of Duncan’s brain was not functioning.  

Dr Hooper explained the principles associated with Hyperbaric Medicine and the hope that perhaps by increasing the oxygen delivery into the brain – nerves that were perhaps still intact but non functional may have the possibility to recover or at least improve their function.  

We started Duncan’s treatment with HBOT including vitamin injections and Rehab Plus. Since starting treatments we have noticed that the shuddering of his legs had stopped! He has only had 2-fits since commencing HBOT. However, the biggest improvement has been the fact that Duncan is now more attentive to comments, directions, and questions and is certainly receptive. He can now look and hold a visual contact with you when you are talking to him. If you ask him a specific question he now responds with a clear and concise reaction where as previously it was virtually impossible to know what he wanted or whether he even understood you. He now nods his head decisively and actively participates in his communicative style.  

During the past 6-weeks Duncan has also had to have a carotid bypass and a prostate operation. Even with these additional issues Duncan continues to make worthwhile progress – Thank God’  Mrs Dianne Kennedy