Success Spotlight

Keelan Bointy, 38, was scheduled to start orientation at his new job as a semi-truck mechanic for the Kiowa Tribe. His wife, Jalyssa, said they had been lying down when he rolled over and tried to speak to her, but she couldn’t understand what he was saying. He then tried to pick up his cell phone but couldn’t use his right hand.

Jalyssa rushed Keelan to Southwestern Medical Center’s emergency room, where he was stabilized after suffering a middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke. The MCA is the largest artery in the brain, and the stroke caused complete paralysis of the right side of Keelan’s body.

Keelen was transferred to an Oklahoma City hospital for additional care and soon after discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility in Elk City. His wife felt Southwestern offered more in terms of acute rehabilitation services and had him transferred back to the hospital.

On May 3, after one month in inpatient rehab at Southwestern - and therapy at least three hours a day, five days a week - Keelan was discharged home. He has regained movement in his right side, can swallow food, and is continuing his recovery with exercises at home and follow-up appointments with The Center for Sports & Rehabilitation, Southwestern Medical Center’s outpatient rehab services.

“He has done awesome!” said Tina Cress-Guerrero, Physical Therapy Assistant at Southwestern.

She said his family’s involvement has been critical to his success and his continued recovery, as has his own persistence, even if that means more “individualized” therapy.

“Keelan wants to do things his way,” Tina said, laughingly. “Which is fine. We let him, as long as it was safe.”

Roni Gardner, Speech-Language Pathologist at Southwestern, noted that Keelan came to Southwestern unable to speak and on a blended diet because of swallowing deficits caused by the stroke. Upon discharge, he was no longer on a special diet and could say more “automatic” phrases.

“He’s done so well,” she said. “His recovery is so impressive.”

Jalyssa attributed the gains thus far in Keelan’s recovery to her husband’s strong will and willingness to fight through his limitations. But it wasn’t easy during the month of rehabilitation. He missed sleeping at home and she missed not having him home. She recalled having to drive through a bad storm one evening, something she hadn’t done before.

“Keelan always drove when the weather was bad,” she said.

Today, they are continuing to do what they were taught in rehab to continue Keelan’s recovery. The most frustrating part of the stroke for Keelan is the aphasia (inability or difficulty speaking) - knowing what he wants to say but not being able to get the words to come out right.

“He still surprises me,” said Jalyssa. “The other night, he called when I was at work and said, ‘I’m thinking about you.’”

Cybil Bointy, Keelan’s mother, says her son brought the right attitude to his recovery.

“Keelan never got down,” she said. “He saw it as just a bump in the road.”

She added that faith and family - and of course, the hospital - played a key role.

“God gave us and Keelan the strength to get through this. His bossy twin sister helped push him, too. And everyone at Southwestern has been wonderful.”

If you would like to know more about Southwestern Medical Center’s inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, visit SWMConline.com or call 580.531.4903.