I'll be updating slowly.

I had no warning what was about to happen. But then if I think back about different things that happened I had warnings for 15 plus years.

On March 14, I woke up for work and I was feeling dizzy. I made it to the bathroom, but it got worst. I felt as if I had to lean to get my brain back into my head, but it didn't help. I collapsed on the floor and stayed there for a while. I was home alone with the dogs, my mother was in Florida. I then thought that I had to get my sister on the phone. I didn't know any numbers...not even 911. Luckily, my sister had just called me recently so I recognized the number on the caller ID. It took me three times to dial the number correctly.

When my sister answered the phone I couldn't say much. I'm honestly not sure want I did say to her. She could tell I was in trouble and asked if I needed an ambulance.  I said yes and hung up the phone.

My sister and the paramedics found me in my bedroom (I had to get dressed). They asked what I thought was wrong.  By then I knew what was happening but I just didn't have the words, so I pointed to my heart, then to my head and one of the EMT's said, "You think you are having a stroke".  I shook my head "yes".

The EMT's took me to the closest hospital. I don't remember much after that but I do remember them saying I was going to be transferred to UMass Medical.  I don't remember much else.  I believe I was in and out of consciousness for many days.

The doctors told my sister they didn't think I was going to die within the night. I didn't feel like that.

She wouldn't let anyone tell me that information. She told my mother that she had to come home right away. (She was on a first long vacation in Florida.)

Ten days later, I went to Fairlawn Rehab. By this time, I was completely paralyzed on my right side and could only say yes and no with certainty. The days ahead were long and frustrating (and still are). I could handle the problems with my walking and hand, but my speech drove me crazy.

I was in Fairlawn Rehab for a month, but it felt much longer than that. After, I went to Health South for outpatient care. I did well with both rehab and outpatient therapy. All the therapists said that I would be back to 100% for speech, hand movement and walking. I was in outpatient therapy for two months. On June 30th I went through a driving test and received my freedom to drive on my last day of therapy.

Today, I am writing this letter using my right hand to type; I am walking and talking with minor difficulty.

Doing pretty good for someone who was going to die. I learned this the night before I had my PFO hole in my heart patched.

On August 10 I got a hole (pfo) patched and on September 14th I'm going to go back to work part time.

I will be participating in the Disney ½ marathon on January 6th,2005 and already sign up for the Vermont ½ marathon, in honor of myself and to help prevent others from going through what I had to. I am committing myself to raising $3,000 for the American Stroke Association. The money that I raise goes towards stroke research and helping to prevent strokes like mine.