Bee, an active mother and wife, avid gardener and retired nurse from the military and VA with over 40 years of service, was preparing to teach a nursing class one morning. Her husband of 46 years, Richard, heard a noise and came to check on Bee, and he found her down on the ground. After calling 911, Bee was taken to the emergency room where she was found to have had a stroke. She could barely move her right arm and leg and had great difficulty talking.

After spending several days in the hospital, Bee was admitted to the Sutter Rehabilitation Institute where she received intensive physical, occupational and speech therapies to help regain her ability to walk, speak clearly, and complete her own self-care. After just 11 days, Bee was able to walk safely using just a cane and was able to go up and down a flight of stairs without assistance. She was also able to shower and dress herself without any help.

While she still struggles a bit with finding the right words, she and her husband have learned various strategies to retrieve the words she is looking for. Bee was able to return home with her husband just in time to celebrate her son’s birthday. She has decided to retire from her long and distinguished nursing career, but she is looking forward to getting back out in the garden with her roses.