After diagnosing a stroke, Elaine’s doctors quickly turned to Telestroke to connect with top-notch stroke care.

>> From receiving “clot-busting” drugs to her helicopter transfer to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Elaine benefited greatly from Telestroke collaboration.

When Elaine Schuette went out to lunch with her sister and her niece in late 1995, she already was suspicious that something was not quite right. "About two days before, I had gotten up in the night and my right hand was so numb I couldn't use it. But it went away, so I didn't say anything about it."

However, after being brought home from lunch, the numbness returned - and spread quickly. "I tried to call my sister to come back and take me to the hospital," recalls Elaine, "but I couldn't speak clearly. My sister couldn't understand me - she didn't even recognize my voice as mine."

Fortunately, her sister realized that Elaine needed to get to the hospital, dialed 911, and sent help in time. After two weeks in the hospital and then many weeks of intense therapy, Elaine was able to regain the use of her right side and return to independent living.

Fifteen years later, Elaine suffered a second stroke. Her doctors at Glencoe Hospital were able to diagnose her quickly and, after her CT scan, decided to use Telestroke to connect with stroke neurologist Dr. Sandra Hanson at the National Brain Aneurysm Center.

As a result, a clot-busting drug known as tPA was administered and Elaine was transferred to St. Joseph's Hospital via helicopter.

"I recovered quite well, and the care I received was wonderful," she commented. Dr. Jessen agrees: "Time is of the essence when you're dealing with this kind of thing. The clock is always ticking. With Telestroke, I'm able to have a neurologist right there to consult with, to help make the critical decisions of what is the best course of action to take."

As many partners with the National Brain Aneurysm Center have found, collaboration is essential to ensure that the patient not only gets the best care possible, but also the fastest, improving their chances for a better outcome.