Mercy Rehab Helps Stroke Survivor Make Big Strides Toward Independence      

On the Path to Conquer 24 Stadium Steps ... & Beyond

Mike Olsen

Mike Olsen – an active golfer who could often be found making putts on the Airport National Golf Course – had no symptoms prior to his stroke on May 31, 2025.

“I had gone to bed that night feeling fine,” he said. “The next thing I know, I woke up on the floor.”

After falling out of bed, Mike’s leg got caught underneath his dresser. When neither his wife nor his brother could help him up, they called 911 and he was admitted to Mercy.

“Mike was a very independent and active 75-year-old who initially came to Mercy for stroke-like symptoms,” said Erica McCarville, OTR/L, clinical liaison in Mercy’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit.

Then, after he had already been hospitalized for five days, Mike suffered another stroke.

“They basically saved my life,” Mike said of his caregivers at Mercy. “They also sent me down to Iowa City, where they did a thrombectomy. They went into my brain and pulled out a blood clot. They saved my life and I’ll be forever grateful.”

Despite not noticing any symptoms immediately prior to the stroke, Mike did have a history of atrial fibrillation – a condition that causes the heart to beat quickly or irregularly.

“I had been cured through the last procedure I had done, but it snuck back up on me and that’s what caused the clot to form and it went to my brain,” he said.

The effects of Mike’s strokes were significant: He suffered weakness on his left side, particularly his left arm; a motor speech disorder due to damage to his nervous system; and difficulty swallowing.

“These challenges affected his mobility, independence with daily activities, speech, and ability to safely eat and drink,” Erica explained.

Mike had a lot of steps to climb.

Even so, he was able to return to Mercy for inpatient rehabilitation. Initially, he couldn’t walk and required the assistance of two staff members in order to move, such as when transferring between the bed and a wheelchair.

“I remember very specifically the nurses; techs; Missy and Lucas; and Edna always very helpful to me,” he said. “The whole staff was really great to me.”

Mike’s inpatient rehabilitation stay would last another 30 days, where he would undergo intensive therapy for three hours each day. In addition to learning how to walk again, Mike also worked with Mercy occupational, physical and speech therapists to regain his independence:

• Physical Therapy focused on improving Mike’s strength, balance and coordination on his left side. He progressed from needing extensive assistance from two people for transfers to walking considerable distances with limited assistance.
• Occupational Therapy addressed Mike’s upper-body weakness and fine motor skills. With practice, he regained independence in self-care tasks, including dressing and bathing.
• Speech Therapy targeted Mike’s speech and swallowing issues. He now communicates more clearly and tolerates a more general diet.

“I was treated really well,” he said. “They were very collaborative in their approach to things, very professional. I’m very grateful for everything they did for me. I’m on my way to recovery. At this point, I’m pretty much on my own as far as walking is concerned. I occasionally use a cane.”

Joe Ulloa, MOT, OTR/L, inpatient rehabilitation program director, said Mike was the department’s unofficial rehabilitant of the year.

“He brought so much determination and humor and a great attitude,” Joe said.

Due to his remarkable progress, Mike was discharged on July 2, 2025, able to walk again. He has continued with outpatient rehabilitation at Mercy Health Plaza; his goal is to be able to walk up 24 steps to make it to an Iowa football game.

“I’ve been a season ticket-holder for 45 years,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge. I might have to go do some practicing – it’s a long ways up, but I’m getting a lot stronger.”