Story of Determination and Healing: Tristan Chambers, Stroke Survivor

For our Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit (MSICU) team, watching a patient regain their strength and health over time makes the countless hours of care worth every single second.

Patient Tristan Chambers came to our critical care unit in mid-July, transferred to St. Francis-Emory Healthcare after suffering a significant stroke. Initially placed on a ventilator, Chambers started to wake up and respond to treatment. Though very weak on his left side, he began moving. Enter our amazing physical and occupational therapy teams who tapped into his determined spirit to make further improvements, as he “fist bumped” his therapy and nursing teams with every small win.

“He celebrated an August birthday with us, with many well wishes from staff and continual visits from family,” MSICU’s Kristi Ingurgio, BSN, RN, CCRN says. “He told me he was determined to get back to running, something that he loves to do. When his tracheostomy tube came out (a medical device that allows air to enter the lungs directly to help with breathing), and with the help of our nursing team that had cared for him for more than a month, Tristan stood up and sat in a wheelchair.”

Ingurgio says there was only one destination in mind after that, a trip outside for Chambers to feel the warmth of the sun on his skin again. At that moment, he was the happiest man on earth.

“Every nurse, respiratory therapist and unit secretary took time to see how happy Tristan was just getting to be outside for a few minutes. It took a very busy day and made it great.”