Observer-Reporter, Dec. 20, 2007
By Nicole Hagy, staff reporter
Staff Photo by Nicole Hagy - Esther Pfahler, a physical and occupational therapy patient at Aultman West, demonstrates the progress she has made since her stroke in June. Pfahler has regained some use of her right hand and can now walk with a straight cane after beginning
When Esther Pfahler, an 80-year-old Jackson Township resident, experienced strange health symptoms this past summer, she telephoned her doctor immediately.
"My right side just got so weak that I had to sit down," Pfahler said. Her doctor instructed her to visit a hospital, fearing that she was having a stroke. Her doctor's suspicions were correct, and Pfahler spent a number of nights in an area hospital.
Pfahler's stroke occurred on June 20, three days before her commitment ceremony to her now husband, Herb Snyder, was scheduled. Pfahler postponed the ceremony and began physical and occupational therapy at Aultman West, a Massillon-area immediate care, surgery and therapy center associated with Aultman Hospital, at the end of July.
Pfahler's three children and two grandchildren, along with Snyder, were all concerned about her health. "I think everyone sort of wondering what was going to happen. So was I," Pfahler said. More than five months has passed since Pfahler's stroke, and she has made substantial progress. The therapy sessions are now a part of Pfahler's lifestyle, as she wakes up each Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning and is driven to Aultman West for two hours of therapy sessions.
Pfahler has regained use of her right arm and can walk by using a straight cane. "When I had the stroke, I couldn't walk. Now I'm walking. I think that's progress," she said. "My goal is to walk without any assistance."
Pfahler began using her left hand, instead of her right, to do everyday tasks. "I learned to be left handed real quick," she said. She still hopes to regain use of her right hand in the upcoming months.
Pfahler believes Aultman West and her husband can take credit for her recovery. She considers Snyder, whom she wedded in a commitment ceremony on August 12, to be her most encouraging supporter. She also believes the staff at Aultman West made her feel comfortable at a time when she was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety.
"When I first started, it was very frightening. It was just very scary," she said. "But the program, it's really phenomenal. They do a wonderful job here."
Pfahler had spent time at Aultman West before her stroke, both for recreation and recovery. She had taken part in physical therapy following two knee replacement surgeries and back surgery. During the months before her stroke, she use the pool and participate in other activities three days a week.
During Pfahler's therapy, she has the opportunity to socialize with other local residents who have recently suffered from a stroke. She said it is easy to become frustrated during the rehabilitation process.
Pfahler, a retired Jackson Local School District bus driver, had the opportunity to work with handicapped children during her 23-year tenure. In fact, she still keeps in touch with some of her former passengers, and considered her job to be extremely rewarding.
Pfahler's former job has made the events of this past summer full circle, as she went from helping and becoming friends with her young passengers before her retirement, she is now becoming friends, gaining knowledge, strength, and a new perspective.
Jon Traugh, physical therapy assistant at Aultman West, has seen Pfahler's progress first hand, and appreciates her efforts. "She has a pretty good will. She's set realistic goals for herself," he said. "She's worked really hard, and that's an important part of the rehab." Traugh said his favorite parts of working with Pfahler are seeing her overall function improve and seeing her independence grow as she gains strength.
Traugh said Pfahler's progress is substantial because of her determination and the fact that she brings a positive attitude to every session, a quality that stroke victims sometimes lack."She comes faithfully," he said.
Pfahler and her husband are taking a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Eastern Caribbean this month. Pfahler has been looking forward to the cruise over the past few weeks.
She said it was something she used to motivate herself as she increased her mobility, but she never gave up. "I would tell someone who has just had a stroke don't get discouraged and to keep the faith," she said.
