Retired Police Officer Reunites with Medical Teams Who Saved Him after Being Given a 15% Chance of Survival after Suffering Massive Stroke

Last fall, Nestor Montalvo, 61, of West Hempstead was given a 15% chance of survival after suffering a massive stroke. Yesterday, after months of treatment, Mr. Montalvo, and his family celebrated his remarkable recovery with the medical teams from the Nassau County Police Department’s Emergency Ambulance Bureau and Mercy Hospital that saved him in honor of Stroke Awareness Month and Speech Language & Hearing Month. 

It was back in September when Mr. Montalvo, a retired NYPD officer, suffered a blockage of the artery supplying his brain stem. Thankfully, his wife Maritza Montalvo, a stroke survivor herself, knew the signs and immediately called 911.

Mr. Montalvo was rushed to Catholic Health’s Mercy Hospital by Nassau County Department’s Emergency Ambulance Bureau. Police Medic Justin Correira performed a FAST stroke assessment in the ambulance. Within minutes of his arrival to Mercy, doctors in the Emergency Department confirmed he was having a massive stroke. They quickly administered Tenecteplase (TNK), a powerful clot-busting drug, and arranged for his immediate transfer to Catholic Health’s St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center in Roslyn for advanced stroke care. 

"TNK was given within 45 minutes, well below the national goal of 60 minutes," said Mercy Hospital Chairman Dr. Robert Bramante.

At St. Francis, our sister hospital, a neurology team determined that it was the kind of stroke that carries no more than a 15% chance of survival.

Aware of his prognosis, Mr. Montalvo said, "The only thing I was angry about was I couldn't say goodbye to my wife and my children.”

Despite the successful intervention, some damage remained. Nestor required a tracheotomy, resulting in tube placements for breathing and eating. After his stay at St. Francis (29 days), he returned to Mercy Hospital to begin inpatient rehabilitation.

"The rehab team gave me so much inspiration I said I can't let these ladies down and I can't quit," Montalvo said referring to the inpatient therapists.

Nestor spent six weeks at Mercy Hospital’s Inpatient Rehab Unit. It had been a long journey, but after countless sessions of swallowing therapy, vital-stim therapy, three separate swallowing procedures, and numerous trials of independent breathing—Nestor is finally able to speak, eat and walk again! 

This "tough guy" showed Mercy Rehab what he is made of and his motivation has been an inspiration to all around him – including all of our staff,” said Director of Therapeutic Services Kerry Brown.

"Your health and your family is number one. And the people you meet along -- they're angels and they help you," Mr. Montalvo said.

Montalvo's case is a classic example of the importance of early intervention when it comes to a stroke.

Every second matters for stroke patients. Immediate medical attention is lifesaving and can reduce the possibility of long-term brain damage and complications. All Catholic Health hospitals located in Nassau and Suffolk counties have a team of stroke experts available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information, visit https://www.catholichealthli.org/stroke-care.