Gary Goshorn

For Gary and Wanda Goshorn, Gary’s stroke during their vacation in the Denver area from Pennsylvania could have spelled disaster. Instead, it became a testament to the exceptional neurological care provided at HCA HealthONE Swedish. “For us, it was providential,” Wanda said. “We were right where Gary needed to be treated for the best outcome. I know he received better care and experienced faster recovery because of the training [HCA HealthONE Swedish] has given EMTs in the area to recognize stroke victims and where to take them.”

Gary’s daily mile and a half walk that fateful September day was anything but routine, “Probably 20 minutes into my walk, I just remember my knees hitting the ground. The next thing I knew, I was waking up after surgery,” he said. Good Samaritans witnessed Gary collapse and called 911. West Metro Fire Rescue EMTs transported him to HCA HealthONE Swedish, a nationally recognized leader in the neurosciences and Colorado’s first Comprehensive Stroke Center certified by The Joint Commission. When Gary arrived, he was identified as a John Doe because he had just two things in his pocket: a locked cell phone, and by chance, a scrap of paper with some family members’ phone numbers on it. 

While the Stroke Alert team prepared Gary for surgery to remove his blood clot, Ashley Fanning, a Stroke Nurse Practitioner, made every possible effort to inform his family. “I first got through to relatives in Pennsylvania, and then connected with his wife here in Colorado. We were able to get him here so fast, she thought he was still out on his walk,” Ashley said. “Ashley introduced herself and immediately handed off the phone. She said, ‘The surgeon needs to talk to you.’ Hearing the doctor say the word ‘stroke’ for the first time, as they were rolling Gary into surgery was such a shock, but the staff’s commitment and confidence were reassuring. It helped put me at ease.” Wanda said.

Later in the recovery room and Neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU), that same expertise and compassionate care made Gary’s family feel involved and informed every step of the way. “They were absolutely amazing. The full team was ready to assist at any moment—something not possible in many hospitals. Most hospitals in our home town area are not fully staffed, do not staff the same level of stroke expertise or display the same dedicated commitment to treating patients and supporting families as we experienced as Swedish,” Wanda said. “Their focus was the same as ours—helping Gary recover. But once Gary was stable, they didn’t stop there. They made certain we understood what Gary experienced, what he needed to do to continue to heal and how we could best support him during recovery.”

With the speed and precision of the surgeons’ thrombectomy, expert occupational and speech therapists helping Gary work through muscle weakness and aphasia, and nursing colleagues coordinating to provide family around the clock access to his bedside to encourage him, Gary’s recovery defied expectations. “The doctor said to expect three days in ICU, two weeks in residential rehab and then some level of outpatient therapy, depending on his recovery. But Gary was released when most patients would just be coming out of ICU.” Wanda said, “He went in as a twenty-two [on the NIH stroke scale] and was evaluated as a one before he was released, which is remarkable.” 

By the time Gary returned home to Pennsylvania, his recovery was so swift that he began taking his routine walks again in just two days’ time—on Wanda’s terms. “I told him, ‘Let’s just start at half a mile. Take your time, but not too long or I’m coming looking for you!’”

Gary was later cleared by his local occupational therapist with no restrictions and is grateful for the life-saving care he received at HCA HealthONE Swedish. “Gary’s recovery reflects the exceptional teamwork and expertise Swedish brings to every moment of care,” Ashley said, “Seeing patients recover and return to their lives is the most rewarding part of what we do.”

Learn more about our advanced neurological care, rehabilitation and emergency services.