Alejandro Gonzalez, a 48-year-old rancher and barbecue enthusiast from Laredo, Texas, found his life suddenly upended as he was preparing for his father’s funeral. He became nauseous, experienced headaches, and began losing strength and control over his body. He immediately went to the local ER. After a 24-hour observation period, his family requested additional tests and an assessment from a neurologist, which confirmed their fears: Alejandro had suffered a stroke caused by polycythemia. Polycythemia is a condition characterized by an increased number of red blood cells in the bloodstream, which leads to thickened blood and reduced flow.

Alejandro’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and he was placed in the ICU, intubated, and prepped for transfer to a hospital in San Antonio, Texas, for brain surgery. After undergoing life-saving brain surgery in San Antonio, Alejandro was stabilized and transferred to the ICU at Laredo Specialty Hospital, where he received critical care for the next two weeks. As his condition improved, he was moved to a regular room and later transferred to Laredo Rehabilitation Hospital for intensive rehabilitation.

At Laredo Rehabilitation Hospital, Alejandro faced some of his toughest challenges. His recovery was driven by his hard work and the dedicated support of the hospital’s interdisciplinary healthcare team.

“When I first arrived, I was so weak that my head fell into Joe, my occupational therapist’s, chest,” Alejandro says.  “But Joe and the therapy team pushed me beyond what I thought was possible. One therapist helped me sit in a chair for at least 30-40 minutes every day.”

Alejandro says in particular that Mario, a physical therapist, and Robert D., a certified occupational therapy assistant, helped him regain his strength and mobility. He also says he’s grateful to Robert U., a physical therapy assistant from the hospital’s third floor, and Jamie, an occupational therapist, for their exceptional care and support in his recovery.

After nearly four months in Laredo Rehabilitation Hospital, Alejandro made remarkable progress and was discharged. He continues to receive outpatient therapy at the hospital’s outpatient clinic. When Alejandro’s surgeon from San Antonio called to check on him, the physician was amazed by his progress, calling him a “miracle.” The surgeon acknowledged that Alejandro defied the odds, thanks to the exceptional care provided at Laredo Specialty Hospital and Laredo Rehabilitation Hospital.

Today, Alejandro looks forward to spending time with his wife, family, and grandchild, Olivia. He is excited about returning to the ranch and using his barbecue pit — living the normal life he once thought he had lost. His story highlights the power of perseverance, the value of specialized care, and the dedication of the professionals at Laredo Specialty Hospital and Laredo Rehabilitation Hospital who helped him reclaim his life.