Beginning of a Long Road

Walter Romine, 38 years old, had a stroke early Friday morning of last week (a week ago yesterday). He had been exhibiting concerning symptoms (e.g., a drawing up of the fingers on his left hand; numbness on his left side) for some time. He had visited two neurologists and had an MRI scheduled for this past Tuesday. He picked up his wife Jessica (26 years old) at the Atlanta Airport late Thursday evening to drive down to Quitman for the Easter weekend. The stroke occurred on the trip down. They went initially to the emergency room in the Valdosta, GA hospital but shortly transferred to Archbold Hospital in Thomasville. Archbold is a wonderful medical facility, with a strong staff. Walter, Sr., Walter’s father, has strong connections there from his own days of medical practice.

The doctors shortly diagnosed Walter’s condition as resulting from a hemorrhaging hemangioma located in the thalamus, a part of the brain down near the brainstem. They have not been able to discern the precise scope of the lesion because of brain swelling (which has been going down), but they have observed that the lesion is unusually large. They have told us that such a lesion in this part of the brain, especially a bleeding one, is unusual.

Walter has spoken and opened his eyes little since the first few hours after the stroke. He responds readily to requests such as “squeeze my hand” and he can answer questions with hand signals, using his right hand. His left side is compromised. He is receiving nourishment intravenously and through a tube into the stomach. The nourishment directly into the stomach has occasionally caused nausea and vomiting, so the nutrition is being supplemented intravenously.

Peggy (Walter’s mother) called this morning with encouraging news: Walter moved his left arm and left leg for the first time.

For those of you who believe that God cares about, and is involved with, his people (although we do not understand the how or why of things), and that he sometimes speaks in very direct ways from Scripture, I offer this from my discussion with Peggy this morning: This morning she read the prayer of Nehemiah in the face of opposition to his leading the people in the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem: “Oh God, strengthen my hands”. (Nehemiah 6:9). On the way to the hospital this morning, she told Walter Sr. about it. When they got to the hospital, the doctor told them that Walter had moved his left arm and left leg, for the first time. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.

Walter is on the waiting list for transfer to Emory. The doctors estimate that the transfer will occur early next week. If things progress as expected (although, of course, nothing is certain), that timing should line up well with the resolution of the brain swelling. Emory, as a teaching and academic hospital, appears to be well-equipped to take the lead in the next step of the process, which is determine treatment of the lesion itself. For example, we are told that Emory has an MRI that delivers more detailed imaging. This should enable to doctors to fine-tune prognosis and treatment. We understand that there are various options, all the way from doing nothing to computerized laser procedures.

Longer term, it appears likely that Walter is looking at an extended period of physical therapy and rehabilitation. The Shepherd Center in Atlanta will likely be the provider of those services.

So, it appears that Peggy and Walter, Sr. will pretty much be living here in Atlanta for a prolonged period of time once Walter gets up here.

As you can tell, much is uncertain.

Again, for those of you who believe in prayer, please pray.

John Taylor