Positive Outlook Gives New Lenox Stroke Victim a ‘Super’ Outcome

Silver Cross Hospital caregivers nicknamed Clarke Christiansen “Superman" because his first name nearly matched that of superhero Clark Kent's alter ego. But that's only part of the story.

Clarke really earned the moniker because of the superhuman effort and persistence he put in during his recovery at Silver Cross following a stroke last August.

And just like Superman, the 53-year-old is humble. Christiansen credits his remarkable recovery to a strong, supportive wife and the expert care he received at Silver Cross, from the time he was admitted, to when he “graduated” weeks later from the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross. 

Skipping Jiu Jitsu

Christiansen remembers waking up last Aug. 1 and grabbing a cup of coffee on the way to his home office where he works as an IT specialist.

“I felt off, so I took a nap, but that didn’t help. I told my wife, Jenn, I was going to skip Jiu Jitsu class and just go to bed. I didn’t sleep well that night, and in the morning, my hand began tingling.”

Jenn suggested they go to the Silver Cross Emergency Department to see what was going on. Symptoms still were minimal at that point. Around 1:30 p.m., they called him to an ED room.

“I was pretty wobbly when I stood up, and my left side was feeling really weak. Pretty soon, I noticed it was getting difficult to speak and to swallow.”

Silver Cross staff immediately enacted its stroke treatment protocol.

Since it had been more than four hours since the onset of his first symptoms the night before, Christiansen was unable to receive the clot-busting therapy tenecteplase (TNK), explained Genevieve Shimkus, RN, Silver Cross Stroke Program Coordinator. So, they put him on aspirin and other blood thinners.

 “This helps to prevent re-occurring strokes while we complete the stroke workup by keeping platelets from clumping together,” Shimkus said.

 “Early initiation of therapy is also very important. This could include speech, occupational and/or physical therapy. We start that within 24 hours of the admission.”

Due to the type of stroke Christiansen suffered, treatment and recovery wouldn’t be easy, Shimkus said.

“Clarke’s stroke was a pontine stroke. This is the area of your brain that helps regulate pain signals and even regulates your breathing, so even a small stroke in this area can cause significant deficits, making recovery that much more challenging.”

Long Road, Positive Thoughts

Once on the neurology floor, Christiansen was fitted with a nasogastric (NG) tube since he was unable to swallow. The first few days were tough, but Jenn was there for support and to report on his condition via CaringBridge:

 “Clarke had his second CT scan and is on his way for his third MRI. I reminded him that despite the setbacks, we must celebrate the wins! Today's win was swallowing, and the NG tube helped!”

The next few days were a roller coaster, but there were signs Christiansen was turning the corner. A doctor told Jenn her husband was on the road to recovery, but it could take up to six months of therapy once he was stabilized.

By the third day at Silver Cross, Jenn reported speech, occupational and physical therapists completed their initial evaluations to start rehabilitation.

By Aug. 9, therapy was having a great effect, physically and emotionally, according to Jenn’s CaringBridge entry:

 “Clarke's face lit up like it was Christmas morning when Kelly from PT walked into the room! Super huge wins from OT/PT: 1st: With assistance, Clarke stood for the first time since the stroke. 2nd: He's now sitting in a chair. Let the lung-clearing continue!”

 This is a Job for …

Christiansen began showing a lot of that strength, progressing faster than many stroke patients, said Jada Green, PT, his primary Physical Therapist. 

“When I first saw him, it took two people and a device to hold him up so we could get him standing,” she said. “At that point, we were still doing therapy in his medical room. We like to get them up and in the walking position as soon as possible. That helps as well.”

Within a couple weeks, he was able to be moved to the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab a floor below for therapy three hours a day, five days a week and sometimes on weekends.

Therapy included working on his speech and swallowing skills, the latter of which allowed him to gradually move up to sipping thicker liquids, like nectars. 

Before long, Christiansen was stepping up and down during therapy and having his therapists hustling to keep up with him using his walker. 

“There is nothing he would not try,” Green said. “He didn’t get discouraged. And his wife was great, always there supporting him.” 

Christiansen said he and his wife decided to give it their all shortly after he was admitted. 

“I figured I had two choices: I could sit there and do nothing, and never get any better; or work hard and get better. Having a positive mental attitude made everything easier.” 

Christiansen and his wife kept track of “wins,” no matter how small, and they began to add up quickly as therapies progressed. 

Green said that his good physical health and flexibility before the stroke definitely helped speed his recovery. 

“But his positive outlook was amazing,” she added. “I’ve had a lot of patients, but he is definitely one of my favorites.” 

And he was a favorite on the neuro floor as well. Inspired by his “superhuman strength” in his recovery, his care team, including nurse Alyssa Aggen, RN, presented him with a Superman T-shirt on his last day in the unit, symbolizing what a superhero he was in their eyes. 

"Clarke's enthusiasm and determination were contagious, and we wanted to do something special to show our support," Aggen said. 

Christiansen loved the shirt and wears it often as he continues outpatient therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at Silver Cross to work on some lingering issues. 

“I’m not 100 percent yet, but I’m a heck of a lot better off than when I came in to Silver Cross in August. They were just amazing.” 

To learn more about Stroke Care at Silver Cross Hospital, visit silvercross.org/neuro.