Stroke of Good Luck
It's hard to imagine that suffering a stroke can have a good side to it. But that's
my situation. After that attack a couple of weeks ago, I was hospitalized and then
eventually ended up back at New Brighton Care Center (NBCC). I had been at
NBCC earlier for three-plus weeks and had an excellent experiences. That
includes good care, an outgoing staff, good food and activities to keep from
getting bored.
I've been suffering from Parkinson's disease and came to NBCC for intensive
rehabilitation. I went home for a few days but then suffered my attack. My wife go
me to Unity Hospital a few minutes after the stroke for immediate care and I was
later transferred to Abbott Northwester Hospital.
After a brief hospital stay I was transferred back to NBCC where I was met by
people I'd come to call friends-from the administrator to nurses to therapists to
fellow patients. The staff are know to me by nicknames such as "Odd Ball,"
"Captain," "Crazy." "Rainbow" and "Cowboy." They're my friends as well as
excellent care givers. It took a stroke to get me back to NBCC. And, that was my
good fortune.
-Gene Harstad
Fridley, MN