Latest Overall Status
- Failed all swallow tests so far (liquid goes into her lungs instead of stomach). Hoping to pass the next one so the tube can be removed and therapy can start. Still just resting in hospital bed.
- Family has been with her 24/7.
- Tube in nose, that runs to her stomach, for feeding.
- This is because she hasn't passed a swallow test yet.
- Can't move her right arm or leg, and can't feel when you touch that side of her body.
- The right side of her mouth is droopy.
- She can understand when you talk to her at a normal pace.
- She can talk, but just a few words at a time, like: "I love you," or, "Horry County Hospital," etc.
- Sometimes she wants something, but the words are too quiet, or too hard to understand, and you can tell that she's sometimes frustrated that we don't know what she's saying.
- She wakes up, is fully coherent, and we just talk to her.
- Overall, there is continuous progress, which is important and good.
- Her smile is still beautiful.
Holly's Dad Passed Away
Sep 29
-Therapists rolled a mirror in front of her for visual feedback.
-Had her try to high-five herself for coordination practice.
-Supported her while she brushed her own hair with her left hand.
-Asked her to kick with her left leg five times-she did well with this.
Biggest challenge was supporting herself from side to side, but she made the effort.
They said overall it was good progress.
Sep 21 - 28
Sep 21, 2025
These are Barb's Facebook posts about it.
Devastating news. My Mom had a massive stroke yesterday.
I got a gibberish text from her early in the morning (she texts me every morning and night).
I raced to her. She obviously needed an ambulance. They got her to the hosiptial and confirmed the stroke and performed a thrombectomy.
She is currently unable to speak or move her right side (face, arm, leg).
We are PRAYING that she regains speech and movement of her right side.
She can hear us and responds by lifting her brows for “yes” and closing her eyes or blinking for “no”.
Anyone that believes in prayer…. We would appreciate any and all prayers for Doris Appelt Horn, my Mother Dearest and best friend!
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Such a difficult time. She is surrounded by many loved ones as we pray and do whatever we can to help her heal.
😢🙏🏼😢
Meema (Mom) update. Sunday morning stroke:
She has complete paralysis of her right side (face, arm, leg). She is completely “there”. Understands everything we say. For 2 days she couldn’t even move her mouth to talk. She was so frustrated to not be able to talk or even move her lips to express her thoughts and feelings — just stared with sad and devastated eyes over her condition.
The right side of her face is still drooped. Tuesday night my brother Bob asked her a yes or no question that was “yes” with raised eyebrows or a “no” w a blink. Instead of that SHE SAID “NO”!!!!!!! Slurry no, but a no nonetheless.
Wednesday a “yes” came out. Slurry. She also said my name. Slurry.
If I say “I” she SAYS “love you” slurred but for sure that.
Thursday/today…. Doctor asked her where she is. She doesn’t know which hospital she is in so she spoke THREE words in a row “Horry County Hospital”!!!!!!!!!!!! No pause. Had to know what she was saying to know she answered correctly. But she did!!!! No pause. Couldn’t say the year it is
She still can’t swallow so has a feeding tube in her nose. She hates it. Pulled it out once on Monday night so they have STRAPPED HER DOWN. She hates that.
When I’m alone w her I release her and hold her hand. Have gotten in trouble more than once but please tell me how an 80 year old woman half paralyzed with only 2 fingers on her only functioning hand could arm wrestle me to get to her feeding tube.
I’m about to be banned from the hospital but I think it is absolute cruelty to give her not even one single inch of wiggle room. She needs to move her arm at least bit.
They turned her to her right/paralyzed side yesterday and kept her left hand strapped so tightly to the bed like a person in the back of a police car with cuffs behind her back. Evil!
When staff comes in she throws her hand down and I snap her back in. She knows if we get kicked out she is alone. She’s accepted the strap when someone isn’t holding her hand.
She still can’t swallow so needs the tube or one surgically in her stomach/abdomen. Doctors keep giving us mixed info as to doing that or not so she can move on to the upper floor for therapy. We will decide tomorrow.
We’ve printed emojis and words for her to point to in order to communicate. Sometimes works.
There is improvement every day w getting some words out.
I’m so glad that she is surrounded by family every single second she is there. I pass by rooms for 4 days now with not one visitor and seeing them strapped. No help w providing the sponge of minimal water to wet their lips or clean their mouth, or have interaction. It’s so sad!
Mom hasn’t been alone for one second (unless staff make us leave for her sponge bath).
She’s still sassy and loving. Struggling but has improvement in some words. It’s amazing!!!! Likely will never walk again, may need a feeding tube forever, but at least she is starting to communicate! She likes us jumping up and down with each new word! Her half smile is beautiful!
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
