Gym Owner's Harrowing Stroke Experience: A Fight for Sight and Recovery

The Onset of the Stroke

• 🧠 Severe stroke struck Donald "Frue" McAvoy at home, leaving him with a terrifying loss of vision.
• 😨 He described the experience as trying to remember a dream, with the inability to see being the scariest thing he had ever felt.
• 🚑 EMTs recognized the stroke in the ambulance, working to keep him calm while he prayed and his partner called 911.

Medical Intervention and Early Recovery

• 🏥 Upon arrival at Mayo Clinic, he was intubated, and doctors were unsure if he knew who he was.
• 💥 Brain scans revealed the stroke's impact not as a single large spot, but as bursts in different areas, described as "fireworks" or "fire burst through the scan."
• 🗣️ Despite being intubated, he was able to communicate by squeezing hands when his partner said his name, confirming he knew who they were.
• ❤️ A significant moment in recovery was when he was able to respond verbally, saying "I love you" after his breathing tube was capped.

The Long Road to Recovery

• 🚶‍♂️ Physical recovery was arduous, requiring significant assistance to sit up and balance, with a Christmas goal set to stand and give a hug.
• 💪 He spent weeks working towards the goal of standing and hugging his loved one, fueled by their support.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family and friends provided crucial emotional support, understanding his struggles without him having to articulate them.

Lasting Impacts and Gratitude

• 👓 Almost two years later, while appearing "back to normal" to many, he now wears glasses and has a sixth nerve palsy affecting one eye.
• 2️⃣ This condition causes his eye to be pulled, resulting in diplopia (two cameras, one off) and an inability to see depth, making everything appear flat.
• 🚫 Consequently, he is unable to drive.
• 🙏 The experience has led to profound gratitude and a reminder to stay humble, recognizing the immense privilege of being able to express himself after a period of silence.
• ✨ He expresses deep gratitude for his journey and how far he has come.