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Man Suffers Stroke After Flu

319 views · Published 18 February 2014 · 1:54 · Indexed 25 September 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2014 · News & Politics

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What started out as a severe case of the flu for Philip Martin, became a battle for his life. Philip is now adjusting to a new life, after suffering a stroke. For Philip and his two teenage girls, riding four-wheelers has always been a way for them to let loose, and have fun together. But now, dad has to watch from the sidelines after suffering a stroke on New Year's Eve.Philip got the flu around Christmas, and developed a bad cough. He then severed the right artery to his brain.The flu this year is very hard, and very dangerous, said his wife Patti. I didn't think this could happen. I've been in the medical field for years and had no clue you could literally have a stroke from a cough from the flu.Since then, his wife's days are lived hour by hour, making sure Philip is fed every four hours, and has his medicine. It was a roller coaster. It was 16 days on and off life support, ventilator. He had to have a trach put in, feeding tube. It was hard, said Martin. Specialists said there is a link between the flu and stroke, especially in older patients, which Philip is not considered.It being a direct relationship, probably not. It looks like there's an indirect relationship, said Dr. John Hostetler, MD. They have to be elderly, or have some kind of underlying disease.When Philip got the flu, he was in the middle of renovating the home. Now, those plans are being altered to help Philip adapt to life in a wheelchair.In the meantime, Philip's family is determined to get him back on a four-wheeler in the future.January is one of the worst months for the flu, but doctors said the risk should be winding down towards the end of February. But, you should still get vaccinated.If you are interested in helping make the Martin's home handicap accessible you can go to their website: http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/through-the-storm-stroke-survivor-/131975?utm_source=widget

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