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6 | Health Matters: Providence Mission Hospital have the experience to use it," explains Dr. Rahim. Rick remained in a profound medically induced coma for several weeks as the neuro ICU team monitored him carefully, waiting for the right moment to bring him out. "They were trying to take him off the drugs," Denise recalls, "but he couldn't breathe on his own. It was like the complexity of landing a jet plane—the doctors were trying to safely land Rick's plane." When the time was right, Rick was slowly brought out of the coma, eventually giving the team a thumbs-up when asked to. After one final procedure called a shunt, to deal with excess brain fluid, Rick was on his way to recovery. RECOVERY BEGINS "When I look back at a calendar, that month is gone," says Rick of his time in the neuro ICU. "There's just nothing there." Rick's part of the story begins with his recovery, at Mission's acute rehabilitation unit. Denise, who was at Rick's bedside nonstop, says, "When we arrived at the ARU, Rick couldn't do anything. He couldn't walk. He couldn't even sit up in bed." Rick participated in three hours of therapy a day, six days a week, with physical and occupational therapists and speech pathologists. "The whole team works together, but the tip of the spear is speech therapy," says James Cushing, MD, the medical director of rehabilitation services at Mission. "They work on problem-solving and executive skills. It's the cognitive aspect that's the most challenging part of recovery." Rick is determined to return to his old life, including his roles as an elected director of the South Coast Water District and an on-air surf commentator, as well as working with his wife in their business, R&D Design and Marketing. "I can't say enough times how much I'm looking forward to being normal again," he says. Of Rick's condition on arrival at the ARU, Dr. Cushing says, "He was severely impaired from a neurological perspective, but he's made an impressive recovery." Working in Rick's favor, Dr. Cushing notes, is that he was in good health before the brain bleed and he had consistent, proactive support from Denise. "She was fantastic," he says. Although it's been a long and difficult journey, Denise is deeply thankful for Rick's progress. "He's as close to perfect as can be," she says tearfully. To learn more about stroke prevention and warning signs, participate in Dr. Basit Rahim's next Stroke of Genius webinar. Call 844-943-1060 or scan the QR code to find the next webinar. Rick with his huge team of Mission caregivers, including Dr. Vikas Rao (to the left of Rick) and Dr. Basit Rahim (right of Rick).

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