Be Strong and of Good Courage
/Amy Kennemore shares her story of FIghting her way back after a major stroke
by VICKI MELDE
photo by ALAMOND PHOTOGRAPHY
Amy in outpatient surgery waiting at Wadley Regional Medical Center on March 8, 2017. Initially, the abdominal surgery was thought to just be an outpatient procedure so Amy was FaceTiming with her daughter, Braylee, while waiting to be taken back to surgery.
This photo was taken after Amy had surgery to remove her skull to help reduce the pressure on her brain from swelling. Part of her skull was removed for four weeks and stored in a freezer at Wadley during that time. She had to wear a helmet during that month to help prevent any type of brain trauma.
Braylee took this photo of her mom’s surgical incision after Amy’s skull had been put back in and the drains were removed. She was still in ICU at this point but was discharged to go to rehab shortly thereafter.
Somehow, there is a prevailing thought that those who serve in healthcare are immune from the health challenges and diseases for which they treat their patients. They are knowledgeable about preventive medicine and proactive about living a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, life-changing health events do not spare those who dedicate their lives to healing others. Such is the case with an amazing nurse practitioner – Amy Kennemore.
Amy was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and spent her first years in a small town near Natchitoches, Louisiana. She moved to Ashdown, Arkansas, where she was raised and graduated from Ashdown High School. With encouragement from her mother, Amy decided to pursue a career in nursing. An excellent student, she attended Texarkana College full-time during her senior year of high school. At that time, her high school didn’t allow dual credit classes, so Amy attended high school for English and Color Guard and spent the remainder of her days at the college.
After completing the basic courses for the nursing program, Amy had a couple of semesters before she could begin the program. She decided it might be useful to complete the EMT program and obtain certification as an EMT and become nationally registered, which she did. Next, she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and entered the Family Nurse Practitioner program. “When my Dad had a heart attack and was admitted to the ICU, I had a desire to know more,” Amy explained. “It was then that I decided to specialize in Acute Care and transferred to St. Louis University.”
Fortunately, Amy was able to do most of her clinical training in Texarkana – with physicians such as Dr. Khalid Malik and Dr. Christopher Bailey.
As a nurse practitioner in neurology, Amy likens the field to “looking at a 1,000 piece puzzle and trying to figure out how to put it together.” “I love neurology because it never gets boring – no matter how much you know, there is always more to learn – and every patient is different,” she shared. “My favorite part of being a nurse practitioner is the patients. They are not only your patients, they also become your friends. It is such a blessing if you get the opportunity to make someone ‘better.’ There is probably nothing better than someone telling you that you made a positive difference in their life!”
All of the positive things Amy has done for others certainly came back to her a thousand-fold when it was she who needed care and encouragement after suffering a major stroke following surgery. “When I was not waking up following surgery, the nurses called the vascular neurologist who evaluated me and felt that I was having a stroke,” Amy explained. “Fortunately, Wadley has 24/7 MRI coverage and CT perfusion abilities. I was taken for an MRI which revealed a large stroke and a blocked right middle cerebral artery, which basically supplies the part of the brain responsible for most of the movement and feeling sensations on the left side of the body.”
A CT perfusion revealed some of the brain to be salvageable so Amy was given tPA – the “clot buster,” despite the recent surgery, and a blood transfusion. It was decided that the benefits from receiving the clot buster outweighed the bleeding risk because if it was not given, Amy would most likely have died or been confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed on the left side.
Tylan, Amy and Braylee in downtown Texarkana before getting Braylee’s senior photos taken during March 2019.
The magnitude of the stroke became even clearer when the Texas Stroke Institute was consulted but they found the stroke to be too large for a mechanical thrombectomy (clot extraction). “I was kept at Wadley, in the ICU, cooled down to 96 degrees, with a cooling blanket, to help reduce the brain swelling that occurs with a stroke this large. I was given medications to raise my blood pressure, and then surgically had my skull removed the following day to help reduce the pressure that my skull would put on my swollen brain and to help prevent further brain injury,” Amy recalled. “My skull was stored in a freezer, at the hospital, because I had an abdominal infection, and my skull couldn’t be stored in my abdomen as is normally done following skull removal. I was on the ventilator for two weeks and had multiple other lines, drains, and a chest tube.”
On Easter Sunday, one month after the surgery to remove it, Amy’s skull was replaced. She stayed in the ICU for 37 days, was then sent to TIRR Memorial Hermann for inpatient rehab in Houston, Texas, and finally had local outpatient rehabilitation. Botox injections are still required every 3-6 months in her left upper extremity to help reduce the spasticity. She also takes many medications – including one for seizures – that make her very tired.
One of the initial images from Amy’s stroke taken in March 2017. It shows a very large right middle cerebral artery infarct.
Amazingly, when asked how her recovery has gone, Amy responded that it has gone well. This is definitely where one of Amy’s favorite scriptures played a crucial role. “Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9) “From working in Neurology for so many years, I know that without God’s miracles, the excellent care I received, and a wonderful support system that my outcome would have likely been very devastating, if I had lived,” Amy shared.
Amy lives with a spirit of gratitude to God and toward all who played a role in her survival and recovery. “I could never thank Dr. Malik, Dr. Bailey, Whitney White, all the wonderful nurses, radiologist, radiology techs, therapists, the entire Wadley staff and administration for all they did for me,” Amy declared. “I had worked at Wadley for about 10 years, and they took care of me and my family as if we were their family. They went above and beyond in their care for me and are largely responsible for the positive outcome that I have had.”
Following an event such as a major stroke, having a strong support system is crucial. Amy admitted she couldn’t begin to name everyone who has supported her along this journey. She is, however, very quick to express her appreciation to her children for caring for her and continuing to help her. Daughter Braylee, her “responsible child” is 19, attends Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and recently became engaged to her boyfriend of five years, Luke. Her 17-year-old son, Tylan, is smart and witty, loves baseball, and is the child who makes them laugh. His girlfriend, Tatum (“Tater Bug”) is also very special to Amy. Three fur babies, Mug-Z (considered Amy’s ‘therapy dog’), Bougie, and Big Moochie complete the family she adores.
Amy with her family during a family reunion in Lake Charles, Louisiana. With her are her brother, Ernie Kennemore; father, Ray Kennemore; mother, Joan Kennemore; and brother, Mark Kennemore.
Amy’s children, parents, Dr. Malik, Whitney, brothers and sisters-in law, and close friends and family spent many hours at her bedside and came to Houston during her rehabilitation. “My parents stayed in Houston in their motor home while I was in inpatient rehab and cared for my children during my hospitalization,” she gratefully recalled. “And my brothers did everything they could to help me. My eldest brother, Ernie, and his wife, Kim, even had a Sweet 16 party for Braylee when I couldn’t be with her on this special occasion. My brother, Mark, has taken me to countless doctor’s appointments in various states and even stayed with me following my hospital discharge when I wasn’t able to stay alone.”
It was Amy’s love for her family that kept her going and their love that motivated her. “On the days I felt like giving up, I couldn’t stand the thought of hurting the people that love me,” Amy admitted. “Parents always want the best for their children. I knew my parents would be devastated if I didn’t get better. And, I knew no one else would ever love my children the way that I love them!”
Though Amy struggles with simple things that she used to take for granted such as tying shoelaces, fastening buttons, and zipping coat zippers, her main challenge is stamina. She isn’t able to work the 12-16-hour days that were common prior to the stroke. She hasn’t returned to work yet, but her goal is to obtain her doctorate in the near future and return to work in the field she so loves – neurology. No doubt, Amy’s experience with her stroke will make her an even more knowledgeable and compassionate healthcare provider.
Whatever the future holds, Amy’s outlook on life is inspiring. “I realize how blessed I am, not only to be here, but also to have so many people who love and support me!” When asked about any words she lives by, her response was so meaningful – and so appropriate. “Seek a miracle. Nothing is impossible with God!”