When Nestor Montalvo awoke one September morning, he immediately sensed something was amiss. He was plagued by a headache and his vision was blurred, symptoms that resembled a severe hangover, even though he hadn’t consumed alcohol the previous day. As he attempted to rise from bed, he discovered his right side was numb, causing him to lose balance and fall. Perplexed by his condition, the 61-year-old Montalvo sought his wife’s assistance and she promptly dialed 911. Paramedics swiftly arrived and delivered a distressing diagnosis: he was experiencing a stroke. Rushed to the emergency room at Catholic Health’s Mercy Hospital in Nassau, Long Island, Montalvo’s prospects appeared grim as he overheard a doctor informing his daughter, a registered nurse, that he had only a 15% chance of survival. The retired New York City police officer found himself facing the stark reality of potential mortality without being able to bid farewell to his loved ones.
The mantra of stroke specialists — “Time is brain” — underscores the urgency in treating such critical conditions, elucidated Dr. Taylor Kimberly, the chief of neurocritical care at Massachusetts General Hospital. Montalvo had suffered an ischemic stroke, wherein a blockage obstructs blood flow to the brain, depriving cells of vital nutrients and oxygen. The longer a stroke remains untreated, the more severe the resultant damage can be. Uncertain of the duration that Montalvo had been enduring the stroke, medical staff swiftly initiated the hospital’s stroke protocol upon his arrival. Within minutes, he was assessed as a potential stroke patient and underwent a CAT scan shortly thereafter. Following a review of the scans, Montalvo was promptly administered a clot-busting medication called TNK and subsequently underwent a minor procedure to ensure the clot was dissolved. Grateful for the timely intervention, Montalvo acknowledged the medical team for saving his life from what could have been a debilitating outcome.
Despite the successful treatment of the stroke, Montalvo’s recovery journey remained fraught with challenges. Complications arose, including the collapse of his vocal cords, necessitating a tracheotomy to facilitate breathing. His ability to speak and swallow was impeded by the tubes, compounded by residual effects of the stroke that impaired his communication and eating functions. Under the guidance of Aileen Fairchild, an acute care speech pathologist at Mercy Hospital, Montalvo underwent rigorous therapy sessions over six weeks, focusing on speech exercises and muscle strengthening aimed at restoring his ability to swallow and eat. Regular scans monitored his progress, eventually leading to the removal of the tracheotomy tube and enabling a more focused rehabilitation effort to enhance his independence and functionality.
After struggling to eat and speak following a stroke, Nestor Montalvo underwent three procedures to improve the muscles in his throat. By Thanksgiving, he was able to enjoy a regular meal with his family. Now, a year later, Montalvo is making strides in his recovery. He has regained his ability to speak and eat, and is relishing retirement by spending time with loved ones, including his wife, children, grandchildren, and their dog, Paris. Although he still relies on a cane for walking, Montalvo is committed to ongoing outpatient physical therapy to further his progress. Reflecting on his journey, he acknowledges the challenges of recovery, noting that it has been tougher than surviving the stroke itself. Montalvo emphasizes the importance of not taking life for granted, as unexpected events can swiftly alter one’s perspective. Meanwhile, authorities are searching for several individuals who went missing from a Texas summer camp amidst devastating flooding. Additionally, a new DOJ memo has raised questions about implications for naturalized U.S. citizens, while the upcoming July 4 holiday week is anticipated to set a record for travelers.
