Joshua's Stroke Overview

Our oldest son, Joshua (16), had a stroke on Monday, October 3rd, at school.  He called me saying he was partially paralyzed so I took him to Layton Hospital ER. 

After many tests, he was taken to Primary Children's Hospital and Rodney rode along. I met them later in an ER room, where a neurologist had told Rodney that Josh had a good chance of an eventual nearly full, even 99%, recovery.

We were soon transferred to the ICU, where he stayed for over a day and had many more tests and meetings with doctors and specialists.

After ruling out heart issues and from findings on an MRI plus a clue from my dr. brother, it was discovered that he has a genetic condition called NF1 or neurofibromatosis, which can cause strokes.  In the long run, aspirin will hopefully keep future strokes at bay.  But many questions are yet to be answered and treatments yet to be discovered.

We've been told he'll stay at least a few more days or until he can stand and walk, with support.  Then he'll have intense therapy for many weeks, likely months, and within 6 months to 2 years they are hopeful of a full recovery.

We have been served and loved in abundance. It's a humbling and amazing experience, to feel the support underneath us at all times.  Help from earth and heaven is all around. 💜 

* I, Natalie, am the author of this blog, unless Rodney gets the writing or blogging bug. So "me" or "I" = Natalie, wife of Rodney, mother of 5.