Violinist’s Story of Music, Medicine, and Healing

Linda Newland, a violinist who lives in Monson, MA, was settling down for a relaxing evening on a warm summer night. Then the unthinkable happened.

“My husband John and I had finished our showers and were looking forward to a movie in bed,” Linda recalls. “As I stood by the closet, I thought, ‘Strange! I don't have any feeling in my right arm and leg. Something temporary, maybe. I think I'll try walking across the room.’ Total disaster! I went down like a rock.

John was right there, leaning over me, and said, ‘Can you get up?’ My lips moved, but no words came. ‘Can you talk?’ he asked. I shook my head. Scooping me up to the bed, he grabbed the phone and dialed 911, with shock and disbelief on his face. ‘My wife is having a stroke,’ he said. ‘How long ago did this happen?’ the person on the 911 line asked. ‘She's having it now,’ John replied. After answering a couple more questions from EMS, he managed to get me into my pajamas while I used my left arm to help put the lifeless right arm into the sleeve.”

Emergency Response Prompts Stroke Alert, Team Readies

Emergency medical service (EMS) providers working in the community have a protocol for alerting the Emergency Department (ED) about a suspected stroke. When the EMTs arrived at Linda Newland’s home, they made a quick assessment, and the team notified the Emergency Department at Baystate Wing Hospital that they were coming in with a patient suspected to be having a stroke. The care team in the ED quickly called a Stroke Alert and readied to care for Linda.

“It wasn't long before two angels from the EMS team were there, lifting me and somehow getting me down the stairs and into the ambulance,” Linda says. “John drove behind them as the EMT, Lisa Hamill, tested my reactions: left side, OK; right side, nil. Then we arrived at Baystate Wing’s Emergency Department, where more angels took over my treatment while discussing the situation with John.”

The Danger of Stroke

Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. The entire team at Baystate Wing works closely with area EMS providers to immediately evaluate a patient with suspected stroke symptoms once they arrive at the hospital to expedite care, knowing that every minute counts. 

“We are fortunate that Linda’s husband recognized her concerning symptoms and immediately called for help, and our EMS team was then able to get her to us as fast as possible,” says Dr. Michelle Holton, the Emergency Department physician who cared for Linda.

“Once Linda arrived and we were able to evaluate her, it was clear that she was a perfect candidate for thrombolytics, more commonly known as clot busters. For many patients, symptoms such as slurred speech, slight arm or leg weakness, significant dizziness, facial droop, and difficulty speaking, among others are attributed to other things or are ignored, and patients frequently present too late for us to intervene aggressively. This is why it is so important that these symptoms are taken seriously. We were so fortunate to be able to intervene quickly for Linda and to see her regain the function that she has.”

Stroke Treatment - Reducing Damage to the Brain

A CT scan confirmed that Linda met the criteria for acute stroke treatment and TNK (tenectaplase), was given. TNK is a medication that can quickly dissolve the clots that cause many strokes. By opening a blocked blood vessel and restoring blood flow, TNK can reduce the damage to the brain that occurs during a stroke. To be effective, TNK and other drugs like it must be given within a few hours of the stroke symptoms beginning.

The TNK worked quickly. Linda smiled as she found she could lift her right leg and arm a little.

When Dr. Holton discussed a further procedure with Linda’s husband John, he immediately gave his approval, and Linda was taken by helicopter to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield for a thrombectomy, the surgery to remove the blockage in her artery and restore normal blood flow to her brain.

“With John's permission, they loaded me onto a helicopter, and I was on my way to a miraculous procedure,” says Linda.

Linda arrived at Baystate Medical Center where she was cared for by neuroendovascular physician Dr. E. Jesus Duffis, and stroke neurologist Dr. Heydi Flores-Podadera.

“I was the neurologist on call and talked to Dr. Holton, then jumped to the video where we were able to assess Linda, give the thrombolytic and decide need for transfer and intervention,” said Dr. Flores-Podadera. “Linda’s care happened very quickly and efficiently. The goal for thrombolytics and the procedure known as a thrombectomy is to obtain better functional outcomes in the next three months. But sometimes we see amazing results similar to Linda’s who had a great improvement very soon after the procedure and a complete recovery. These better results depend on many factors, but definitely rapid recognition and 911 activation play a very important role.”

A thrombectomy involves anesthetizing the patient and then inserting a thin, metallic, stent-like device into an artery in the leg. The neuroendovascular specialist then threads the device up to the blockage in the brain, where it opens to immediately restore blood circulation, eventually grabbing onto the clot and pulling it out. Until recently, clot-busting treatment was the only proven therapy to treat ischemic stroke. Now doctors nationwide are performing this advanced procedure, which has transformed care for those with an acute ischemic stroke. In western MA, the procedure is performed exclusively at Baystate Medical Center’s state-of-the-art neuro-interventional laboratory.

Stroke Recovery Depends on Early Detection and Treatment

“When I woke up at Baystate Medical Center, a smiling nurse put me through a test: ‘Can you move your right leg? Your right arm? What is your name? Date of birth?’ says Linda. “Then my beloved John was there, leaning over me as I spoke as well as I could through the oxygen mask. ‘Well, we can take that off, now, so you can make out what she is saying,’ the nurse said. As I formed some words, joy, and relief transformed John’s face. I was back again! ‘She'll speak better tomorrow morning,’ the nurse said, ‘but we'll wake her every hour tonight to check on her.’ "Well worth the effort,' I thought."

Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability, and accelerating recovery times.

“The physician who gave me the MRI after her thrombectomy marveled that in all the years they’d been giving MRIs, they’d never seen such a minimal amount of damage with a major stroke,” recalls Linda. I told John to go home and sleep, and the nurse heartily concurred, cautioning him against emotional collapse after the stressful night. He had been central to my quick treatment. If he hadn't been right with me at the time of my stroke, it would have been a sadder story. I'm forever grateful to all involved in my recovery. Every day is a gift from that devoted crew.”

Music to Her Ears

As soon as I got home, four days after the surgery, I picked up my violin," recounts Linda. "I can do it! Yes! Right arm, right hand, left hand - they all work! My life is back." A few days later, I started giving online lessons, and the week after that, I began teaching all 25 of my precious students in person again. My heartfelt thanks to all who made all these things possible.”

Stroke Care at Baystate Health

Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where Linda received her care, has received the Get with the Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, leading to more lives saved and reduced disability. In addition, Baystate Wing also received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up to date- evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

“We are grateful to our care teams at Baystate Wing Hospital and Baystate Medical Center who drive our success in delivering the very best care to our patients,” says Karli Barrett, MS, RN, NE-BC, vice president and chief nursing officer/chief administrative officer of Baystate Wing Hospital. “This is an example of our team’s hard work and commitment to providing the highest quality of care in the many communities served by Baystate Health.”