Quick response aids stroke victim

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It was almost eight years ago that Fred Martinelli thought he might lose his wife. They were both working at the Lisbon Central School when a co-worker called Fred because Erin Connell Martinelli was slurring her words and saying her head hurt. Mr. Martinelli immediately drove to Backus; Erin's mother had had an aneurysm so he knew the signs and was afraid his wife might be having a stroke or suffering from an aneurysm.

As it turned out, Mrs. Martinelli was indeed suffering a stroke. Mr. Martinelli was wise to recognize the signs of stroke and by acting quickly may have not only saved his wife's life, but assisted in helping her on the way to a positive recovery. With stroke victims, seconds count, and it is especially important to have a quick response and treatment to avoid further damage to the brain.

Backus Hospital was recently designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the State Department of Public Health. The designation means Backus offers rapid and comprehensive stroke care for patients, while at the same time offering stroke education to improve outcomes and limit the number of strokes. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in Connecticut and a major cause of disability.

Mrs. Martinelli had to have an operation to open her skull and stop the bleeding. She stayed in intensive care for about a week, paralyzed on her right side. After her release, she underwent extensive physical, occupational and speech therapy. "She started walking again and although she still has some balance issues, she has done amazingly well," Mr. Martinelli said. "She has kept her kind personality through all of this, which doesn't always happen as people can often and understandably become frustrated and angry."

Mr. Martinelli credits VitalStim, a non-invasive, external electrical stimulation therapy, with helping Erin learn to swallow again. "It was a big step for her, because people can choke to death on liquids," he said.

The therapy uses specifically designed electrodes applied to the muscles of the throat to promote proper swallowing, which allows patients to eat normally.

Beth Conley, a speech therapist with the Rehabilitation Services Department at Backus, said it often helps people with dysphagia.

Ms. Conley saw Mrs. Martinelli when she first was admitted after the stroke, and then worked with her as an outpatient for her communication skills. "She has made a good recovery, not a full recovery, but she is able to communicate what she needs and does really great socially," she said. "It is amazing how they flourish as a couple. Without each other's positive outlook and support through this, it would have been much more difficult, and perhaps not as successful."

Since the stroke, Erin has been diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic. She takes medication for her diabetes and her thyroid. She still has some balance issues, and her peripheral vision is impaired. In the last 18 months she has had two seizures. The couple also continues to attend the Backus Stroke Support Group, speaking to other stroke survivors and their families about their journey.

"I think Erin is an inspiration to others. They get to hear her story," Mr. Martinelli said. "They may have just gone through it themselves and are wondering how they will get better."

Stroke facts

  • Each year about 780,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, according to the American Heart Association.
  • It is the third largest cause of death and a leading cause of serious disability.
  • The three signs to watch for are facial weakness on one side, slurred speech and weakness in the limbs, (for example, if you put your hand out and your arm falls).
  • If you or someone you are with is having a stroke, you should immediately call 911. Keep track of when the symptoms started, to inform the emergency responders and hospital staff.