The Backstory

David Byrnside had a major stroke Saturday night as he was returning from the grocery store.  Angie called to check on his return and, hearing his speech difficulty, asked the police to find and help him.  The paramedics arrived and transported him to UHC in Bridgeport.  Once they ascertained that he had indeed had a stroke, Dave was life-flighted to Ruby Hospital for the blood clot in his brain.  He has near total paralysis on the left side but can speak, answer questions, and crack jokes.  An initial CAT scan was done as soon as Dave was brought to the Emergency Department at Ruby.  Another was done at 9am and a third was done at 5pm.  TPA, a clot-busting drug, was administered.  The 9am scan showed deterioration in his condition but the 5pm scan showed little change.  They have therefore decided a craniotomy is not necessary at this time to relieve the pressure on his brain from the swelling and he will remain under close scrutiny in the SICU (Surgery Intensive Care Unit) overnight.
We don't yet know exactly what Dave and his family will face going forward, but we do know he's looking at a great deal of time in rehabilitation.  His parents, brother, and Angie's sister Michelle (and her family) have come up to help out, but we don't know how long they'll be able to be here.  The purpose of this blog is to have a central location for updates so that Angie can focus on the needs of Dave and her children, rather than keeping the various circles of anxious friends, family, and coworkers apprised of the situation.  In addition to status reports on Dave's condition, the blog will post ways in which its readers can help once specific needs have been identified.

Pax dei nobiscum,
Karen Shumway