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A Victory Without Medals: Former soldier fights to regain independence after stroke by Sandra Liebler. MS Ed.. Published: August 2006 At age 70, Mal Hunt thought his fighting days were over. A U.S. Army colonel in Viet Nam, Hunt had faced challenges before. But in retirement his days consisted of volunteering as a costumed interpreter for the Jamestown Settlement, delivering Meals-on-Wheels along with his wife Ann, serving on various committees, and participating in neighborhood activities, church functions, and other local events. He looked forward to joining the East Coast tour of the newly rebuilt Jamestown ship Godspeed. But on Monday, May 2, 2006, without warning, life took a dramatic change. That morning, when Hunt reached for the TV remote control to turn on the news, he realized he could neither press the buttons nor speak. Ann called 911, and an ambulance arrived and rushed her husband to the hospital, where a diagnosis of stroke was confirmed. During the next few hours, the stroke “evolved.” Hunt could move his leg one minute, then he couldn’t move it at all. He could talk, and then he couldn’t. When the full effects of the stroke set in, he was unable to use his right arm or leg and unable to speak. From there Mal Hunt was back in battle, fighting to regain his functions and his life. After being deemed medically stable in the hospital, he entered Riverside Rehabilitation Institute, where he spent long hours with therapists. He recalls an early experience when he pressed a call bell for nursing assistance, only to be asked, via intercom, what he wanted. He now laughingly notes that it is hard to tell someone what you want when you aren’t able to speak. During weeks of intensive therapy, Hunt’s verbal skills improved and he learned to maneuver his wheelchair without assistance, thus re-acquiring a small degree of autonomy. Ann, who at first had feared for her husband’s life, established a new routine – driving from Williamsburg to the rehab center in Hampton to take an active part in his recovery. The couple, who will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next year, have been through tough times before. When Hunt was serving in the Army, Ann gained faith in his ability to persevere, and he learned to rely on his wife’s steadfastness. This foundation of mutual reliance has served them well during recent months. Ann says her husband has worked hard and showed strong motivation throughout his recovery. Now, only three months after his stroke, Mal Hunt is home again. He walks with some assistance, talks with minimal evidence of his earlier aphasia (loss of speech) and receives therapy on an outpatient basis. His last challenge is to regain use of his right arm and hand, which remain paralyzed. Ann says he is still progressing, but in “baby steps” now. He recently became able to move his right thumb, a development barely perceptible to others, but a sign of hope to the couple. A realist, Hunt expects that he will never regain full function, that it will never be as though the stroke never happened. But he continues to push himself. He comments, “It isn’t like an injury or a disease, where you get treated and recover in a couple of weeks.” Occupational therapist Kris Edmonds, along with the other members of the Sentara therapy team, has been working with Hunt since he began the outpatient treatment. She describes him as a “star patient” who always arrives with a smile on his face, ready to work. She says, “His outlook is fabulous, which contributes to his progress.” She stresses the importance of positive attitude and motivation in any stroke victim’s recovery. She sees him making steady progress, which, in turn, encourages her as a therapist. She notes that the other team members, including speech therapists and physical therapists, “all love him [Mal]” and that he does whatever he is asked to do, even when the exercise is difficult. Edmonds’ work deals primarily with daily life activities, which can include regaining the ability to get dressed, learning to tie shoes with one hand, feeding oneself, etc. She says together she and her patients set goals throughout the recovery process. The Hunts attend a monthly support group for stroke survivors. The group, formed last September by Kris Edmonds and one of her teammates, physical therapist Brenda Cicero, provides an opportunity for sharing news and information on treatments, research, and other medical updates; but, perhaps more importantly, it provides a social setting for people whose lives have changed due to a stroke. Edmonds says the group has grown month by month, with often more than 30 participants attending. Drawn together by a common challenge, attendees learn to give and receive encouragement. Ann, a long-time military wife, emphasized the importance of partnership as she supports her husband’s current campaign. As she speaks, her eyes well with tears, not for herself and her new responsibilities as a primary caregiver, but for her husband’s struggle to recover his health and his dignity. Their lives and daily routines have changed, but a plucky spirit of self-reliance still prevails between them. Mal is right-handed, and now must try to learn to write in a new way or rely on Ann for more of the little tasks such as bill-paying. They use walkie-talkies, which enable Ann to work in the yard without worrying if her husband needs something. He can no longer drive, but accompanies Ann on shopping excursions. He laughs that he sits and “holds her purse” while she shops, inviting playful teasing from passersby. Since reading still poses difficulty, the couple now enjoys renting movies together, something they rarely did in the past. Hunt still hopes to volunteer in some capacity for the 2007 celebration at Jamestown Settlement, even if he has to relinquish his period costume. Although often frustrated at the seemingly slow progress of recovery, Hunt believes he is fortunate. With excellent care immediately following the stroke, expert help from therapists, and Ann’s unwavering support, he’s reclaiming his life day by day.
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Williamsburg Health Journal
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