In the world of automotive emergency preparedness, the term “Choate Car Rescue Tool” might conjure images of robust devices designed to extract individuals from vehicles after accidents. However, for Dr. Bevan Choate, the concept of rescue took on a profoundly personal meaning when he faced a sudden and life-altering left cerebellar stroke. This is not a story about tools for cars, but about the tools—both internal and external—used in the arduous journey of stroke recovery. This article delves into Dr. Choate’s inspiring experience, initially shared on the Recovery After Stroke Podcast, exploring his stroke, his path back to professional life, and his unexpected foray into art as therapy, all while touching upon the crucial elements of resilience and adaptation in the face of adversity.
I. Understanding Dr. Choate’s Stroke and Initial Reactions
The Unforeseen Event: A Neurological Surgeon Struck by Stroke
Dr. Bevan Choate, a highly accomplished neurological surgeon in the prime of his career, experienced a stark reversal of roles on December 3, 2020. Awakening one morning with severe dizziness, he quickly realized this was no ordinary ailment. “Just hit the ground like a ton of bricks. And room was spinning, double vision, couldn’t seem to even stand up,” Dr. Choate recounted. Initially hesitant to seek medical help, his symptoms were classic indicators of a serious neurological event, ultimately diagnosed as a left cerebellar stroke caused by a vertebral artery dissection.
Initial Denial and the Reluctant CT Scan
As a medical professional, Dr. Choate’s initial reluctance to undergo a CT scan reveals a common human tendency, even among doctors, to downplay personal health crises. “I’m 35 years old, there’s no way in hell, this could be anything serious, right?” he admitted. His symptoms, though dramatic, were initially rationalized as possibly an inner ear issue, showcasing a blend of medical knowledge and personal denial. The CT scan, which he eventually agreed to, confirmed a “large hypo density” in his left cerebellum, unequivocally revealing the severity of his condition.
The Aftermath: Navigating the Initial Hospitalization
The diagnosis marked the beginning of a challenging journey. Unable to receive immediate thrombolytic therapy (TPA) due to the unknown onset time of the stroke, Dr. Choate was transferred to the designated stroke center in New Mexico. His experience highlights the critical time window for stroke intervention and the logistical realities of stroke care in rural states. Moreover, being treated at the hospital where he had trained added a layer of complexity, shifting his identity from caregiver to patient among familiar colleagues.
II. The Psychological and Professional Impact of Stroke
“Too Young for a Stroke?”: Age and Stroke Perception
Dr. Choate’s experience underscores a critical misconception: stroke is not solely a condition of the elderly. His age, 35 at the time of the stroke, brought to light the reality that stroke can affect individuals at any age. He reflected on the medical field’s tendency to prioritize common diagnoses over less frequent ones, especially in younger patients. “When you haven’t seen maybe a stroke happened to someone younger than 50 in 10 years, you know, it’s just sort of a shock, or a surprise to everyone,” he noted, highlighting the need for broader awareness of stroke risks across all age groups.
The Elusive Cause: Vertebral Artery Dissection
The cause of Dr. Choate’s stroke, a vertebral artery dissection, is itself a complex issue. While sometimes linked to trauma or specific activities like chiropractic manipulation or neck movements, in many cases, including Dr. Choate’s, the cause remains idiopathic. “We did the million-dollar workup. And, there is no answer,” he explained, illustrating the frustrating reality of unexplained strokes. This lack of definitive cause is a common experience for many stroke survivors, adding to the emotional and psychological burden of recovery.
Role Reversal: From Surgeon to Patient
The shift from being a surgeon to becoming a patient was profoundly disorienting for Dr. Choate. He described the bizarreness of being cared for by colleagues, particularly when undergoing procedures like a tracheostomy performed by a surgeon he had trained with. This role reversal offered him a unique perspective, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of the patient experience. It also underscored the vulnerability inherent in illness, regardless of professional background.
III. The Road to Recovery and Professional Reintegration
Stepping Back into Clinical Practice: A Modified Role
Recovery after a cerebellar stroke is often a protracted process, and for Dr. Choate, it involved significant rehabilitation efforts. While he has returned to clinical practice, his role has necessarily evolved. “I’m back in the capacity of like a clinical neurologist. So I can see patients in the clinic, you know, make diagnoses prescribe and I can do some very minor procedures in the clinic,” he detailed. The fine motor skills required for complex surgery, particularly with his left hand, are still areas of ongoing recovery. His balance and left-hand ataxia remain challenges, illustrating the lasting impact of stroke even as significant recovery occurs.
Empathy and Insight: Becoming a “Better” Doctor
Dr. Choate reflects on how his stroke experience has profoundly changed his approach to medicine, making him a more empathetic and insightful physician. Having personally undergone procedures like catheterization, he gained firsthand understanding of patient discomfort and anxieties. “I think I’m just a little better, or like more in tune with that, I guess you could say, now, certainly,” he shared. This newfound empathy aligns with the holistic approach advocated by medical figures like Harvey Cushing, emphasizing treating the whole patient, not just the disease.
The Catheter Experience: A Humbling Lesson
A particularly poignant anecdote from Dr. Choate’s recovery involves his experience with catheterization—a routine procedure he had performed countless times on patients. Experiencing it himself provided a stark and humorous reality check. His attempts to offer advice to the nurse inserting his catheter were met with indifference, highlighting the sometimes impersonal nature of medical procedures from the patient’s perspective. This experience underscored the gap between medical knowledge and lived patient experience.
IV. The Stroke Artist: Finding New Paths to Expression and Purpose
The Genesis of “The Stroke Artist” Book
Unexpectedly, Dr. Choate’s stroke led him to a new form of expression: writing and art. Initially, the idea of writing a book was suggested by a colleague as a way to document his experiences. Starting as a therapeutic exercise to improve his typing skills and manage his left-hand ataxia, the project evolved into “The Stroke Artist,” a book detailing his stroke journey with honesty and humor.
From Therapy to Publication: Sharing the Stroke Journey
“It started more as like an occupational therapy, rehab exercise and then, after a few pages, it just seemed like it kind of wanted to take a life of its own on,” Dr. Choate explained. The book became a means to share his unique perspective as both a doctor and a stroke survivor, offering insights into recovery and coping with life-altering events. It serves as a valuable resource for other survivors, caregivers, and medical professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the stroke experience.
The Power of Community and Support Groups
A critical aspect of Dr. Choate’s recovery, and one he emphasizes in his narrative, is the importance of community and support groups for stroke survivors. Initially feeling isolated, discovering a stroke survivor community provided immense emotional support and validation. “It was just cool to like, meet all these other people that were like me, that experienced the same hardship,” he shared, highlighting the profound impact of peer connection in navigating recovery.
V. Reflections on Recovery, Expectations, and Evolving Identity
Accomplishing the “Impossible” and Redefining Success
Dr. Choate’s journey is marked by a powerful sense of resilience and determination. He quotes a passage from his book, “Accomplish The Impossible,” describing the internal struggle and eventual small victories in recovery. This reflects the arduous process of regaining lost skills and functions, often starting with minimal progress and gradually building towards significant achievements. His story is a testament to the brain’s plasticity and the human spirit’s capacity to overcome immense challenges.
Setting Realistic Expectations and Celebrating Small Wins
A key takeaway from Dr. Choate’s experience is the importance of setting realistic expectations and celebrating small, incremental improvements. He contrasts the pressure of feeling expected to make a full recovery due to his age with the reality of the slow, often frustrating, process of rehabilitation. Shifting focus from grand goals to repeatable, joy-bringing habits, like gradually increasing his running distance, has been crucial for maintaining motivation and a sense of progress.
Evolving Identity and Finding New Purpose
Dr. Choate’s stroke has undeniably led to an evolution of his identity, both personally and professionally. While his career path has shifted, his commitment to medicine and to helping others has deepened. His foray into writing and art represents new avenues for expression and connection, demonstrating how adversity can lead to unexpected personal growth and a broadened sense of purpose. He emphasizes that while stroke recovery is undeniably challenging, it also presents an opportunity for profound personal evolution and a richer, more empathetic understanding of life.
VI. Conclusion: A Journey of Resilience and Redefinition
Dr. Bevan Choate’s story is a powerful narrative of resilience, adaptation, and the redefinition of personal and professional identity in the wake of a life-altering stroke. From the initial shock and denial to the arduous journey of recovery and the discovery of new forms of expression, his experience offers valuable insights for stroke survivors, caregivers, and medical professionals alike. His book, “The Stroke Artist,” serves as a testament to his journey, providing a candid and often humorous account of facing the unthinkable and emerging with a renewed sense of purpose. Dr. Choate’s journey underscores that while the concept of a “choate car rescue tool” may be relevant in automotive emergencies, the true tools for life’s most significant challenges are resilience, community, and the capacity to find new paths forward.
Further Information:
- Book: The Stroke Artist by Dr. Bevan Choate, available at thestrokeartist.myshopify.com and amazon.com
- Instagram: Dr. Bevan Choate’s Instagram
- Recovery After Stroke Podcast: Episode featuring Dr. Bevan Choate, available at recoveryafterstroke.com
This article is based on an interview from the Recovery After Stroke Podcast and aims to provide informational and inspirational content. It is not intended as medical advice and should not substitute consultation with healthcare professionals. Always seek advice from qualified medical practitioners for health concerns.
