August's Story
Stroke
August Willeke, 92, had a stroke on his way to the YMCA and life changed instantly.A retired oil field worker and active father of five from Llano, Texas, he enjoyed working out three days a week. His daughter had accompanied him to his workout that day. “I stopped talking and couldn’t talk,” recalled August. Luckily, his daughter knew the signs of a stroke and rushed him directly to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Marble Falls. Doctors diagnosed August with a left hemispheric embolic stroke, which is when a blood clot blocks blood flow to the left side of the brain. It left him unable to speak, walk or handle typical daily life activities.
After four days, August stabilized and was transferred to Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation (BSWIR) - Lakeway where he spent the next 19 days regaining his independence.
August’s stroke had caused significant issues. He was unable to stand and walk, put on his shoes or dress himself. After assessing him, the physician-led support team tailored a treatment plan to meet his needs. August’s goals were simple – he wanted to return home, be able to bake, resume his exercise routine and, most importantly, call his children by name again.
Occupational therapy jumped right in, helping August relearn how to perform daily tasks, like dressing and transferring safely from one place to another. The therapy sessions were not only practical but also geared to his interests. August loves to bake, so his therapists had him bake a family cookie recipe. To further refine his coordination and balance, they had August practice dancing the two-step and Zumba, activities that added a dose of joy to his rehabilitation.
Physical therapy sessions concentrated on strengthening August’s legs and further improving his balance – both prepared him for managing around the house with a rolling walker. Activities like bean bag and ring tosses were incorporated into therapy appealing to August’s active nature while enhancing his dynamic balance.
Speech therapy was crucial to his recovery. The therapist helped memory and speech by focusing on naming members of his family. Initially, he struggled finding words and communicating effectively, but with consistent therapy, he improved. “I can call all my children by their names,” August shared. The speech therapist also assessed his swallowing ability and, based on the results, created exercises to help strengthen this reflex so he could expand his diet.
The turning point in August’s recovery came as he regained his confidence and started conversing with people more frequently. “The nurses and therapy staff helped me so much,” he said. His daughters played a significant role in his recovery as well, visiting regularly and participating in family training sessions with the therapists.
After 19 days, August could now call his children by their names, think a lot more clearly and walk better. He is particularly glad that he gained the confidence to actively participate in conversations again and admitted that at first he didn’t speak much.
He was prepared to leave the hospital and relished the thought of returning to the comforts of home. “I’m headed to ‘Easy Street,’” he joked. “I can’t wait to get home so I can prop my feet up.” He also looked forward to his kitchen and dabbling in the stock market.
Reflecting on his experience at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Lakeway, August said, “The whole staff helped me, every one of them,” he said. “I guarantee you if I had another stroke, this would be the place I would come.”