AMERICAN Pickers star Frank Fritz has left a detail in the window of his $155k Iowa farmhouse that could reveal a promising update in his stroke recovery.
Frank, 60, suffered a debilitating stroke in July 2022 that left him wheelchair-bound.
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The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal photos taken in November 2023 of his $155,000 Davenport, Iowa farmhouse.
In the side window of Frank’s house, crutches could be seen in the window, indicating he could be walking again.
FRANK'S HEALTH
In August 2023, a friend close to Frank exclusively revealed to The U.S. Sun that he has begun walking.
“Frank continues to improve daily. You’re never 100 percent after a stroke, but he’s fine. He’s aware of what’s going on," the pal previously told The U.S. Sun.
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The friend continued, “He can walk, but he’s always going to need the wheelchair because he can’t walk long distances.
“Basically, you lose motion. He lost motion. A stroke can affect your left or your right side, it affected his right side.”
“He’s the same old Frank. He has a good attitude and a great sense of humor. His mindset is positive. We crack jokes all the time. You gotta make the best of the situation so he’s come to terms with all of that," the source continued.
Frank has a wheel-chairramp installed outside his Iowa home.
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But The U.S. Sun previously reported in January that he remains in assisted living.
“Frank lost verbal and mobile, so that’s where he has been. He is still in an assisted living facility," a source close toMike Wolfe, Frank's former co-star on the show, claimed.
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The insider continued to allege that while Frank “got his verbal back,” working on mobility has been a struggle for the star.
“It’s been very difficult for him to find motivation. He found the motivation to talk, but the physical therapy he just… he’s not there yet," the source claimed.
But a second source close to Frank’s loved ones claimed he is taking the recovery at his own pace.
“He’s been working really hard to not overdo himself and stress himself out and honor his health," the second insider said.
“He’s not overdoing it and trying to prove anything to himself. He’s honoring what needs to be right now. He’s just at the nursing home for physical therapy.
“I hope he bounces back. I have faith he will.”
MEDICAL CRISIS
Frank washospitalized for a stroke on July 14after a friend found him on the floor of his Iowa home.
The U.S. Sunobtained the 911 callplaced by Frank’s friend from the star's Iowa farmhouse just before 11 am.
"I just showed up at my friend's house here and he was sprawled out on his floor. He can't speak to me. He might be seizuring [sic] I'm not sure," the friend said.
CONSERVATORSHIP
Then on August 18, 2022, Frank’s longtime friend Chris Davis filed anemergency appointment of temporary guardian and conservatorfor the star.
In Iowa court papers obtained by The U.S. Sun, Frank remained hospitalized for a month after suffering the stroke, as he was expected to be released to a nursing facility on August 19.
“Because of his stroke, Mr. Fritz’s decision-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to care for his own safety, or to provide for necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care without which physical injury or illness may occur," the documents read.
“Mr. Fritz’s decisionmaking capacity is so impaired that he is unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning his own financial affairs.”
An exhibit was mentioned in the court papers from a doctor, confirming Frank “does not have decisional capacity.”
“Decisions must be made for Mr. Fritz’s care and placement while he continues to recover and receive treatment for his injuries," the legal papers continued.
“Appointment of a guardian and conservator is necessary to avoid immediate harm to him.”
The Petitioner requested a separate “longtime friend” of Frank’s, who “has been assisting him in decision-making since the stroke,” be his guardian.
A bank would be the conservator to handleFrank’s financial affairs.
The conservator will pay for Frank’s care in the residential facility, control his business interests such as partnerships and companies, pay for his home and everyday living expenses, and ensure he has appropriate transportation to medical appointments and more responsibilities.
HEALTH STRUGGLES AT HOME
Frank did return to hisIowahome for some time, but continued to suffer from ongoing health issues.
The U.S. Sun has previously obtained four911 calls placed from the house, resulting in Frank being rushed to the hospital.
On November 17, 2022, Frank’s caregiver called 911 because he was “having a seizure.”
She told the operator, “He just came home from inpatient rehab for a stroke. He just had a full-blown seizure, maybe more than one… He's been shaking.”
She then asked the operator if there was anything she could do to help him, as she was transferred to medical.
On December 7, 2022, another caregiver called 911 for elevated blood pressure.
“I have a 59-year-old stroke victim with elevated blood pressure," she said on the call.
You could hear Frank moan in the background, as she could be heard telling him, “You have to go because your blood pressure is too high."
"Oh," he replied.
In the final two calls, another caregiver called 911 on December 21, 2022, for “possible pneumonia."
Frank’s guardian then called the next day.
"I'm going to need an ambulance to take someone to the hospital because I think they have pneumonia. I'm the guardian. He's handicapped. He's wheel-chair bound," he said in the call.
AMERICAN PICKERS
Frank last appeared onAmerican Pickersin March 2020.
He took a break from the show to undergo back surgery but then had afalling out with longtime co-star Mike Wolfe.
Read More on The US Sun
Mike’s brother, Robbie, replaced Frank on the show to join Danielle Colby.
Despite their feud, the tworeconciled over Memorial Day Weekendof 2023.
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