I could tell right away something was wrong. Doctors treating Ford were pressed by reporters today as to why the former president was not admitted to the hospital during his first visit there. The physicians defended the emergency room doctor's decision to release Ford, saying that during the first visit he did not appear to show signs of a stroke. A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a vessel or artery, or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. The stroke kills brain cells and the abilities controlled by that area of the brain, like speech, movement and memory are diminished or lost.
Some people recover completely from minor strokes.
Aside from anticoagulant medication, Ford will continue to undergo diagnostic tests at the hospital, the doctor said. Some stroke victims undergo physical therapy in the recovery process. The Family Anchor Hospital officials have given Betty Ford a room next to the president, where she can rest between visits with her husband. Doctors said she is holding up, but was upset by the news that her husband had had a stroke. It is absolutely amazing and she is doing remarkably well.