This past Saturday, September 8, I suffered a stroke just before 9 a.m. I realized I was in trouble when I tried to go out onto the internet and I just could not remember the password to get onto my computer. I tried and tried to think of it, and tried to type what I thought might be the password, but had much difficulty attempting to type what I was thinking. I soon realized, I could not speak full sentences. I could only speak two or three words and then the words locked up inside me. I did not have trouble thinking the words I wanted to say, but I could not express them. I discovered when I tried to write a note, all I could do was make a straight line.

My husband realized what was happening to me, a thing called "expressive aphasia". His aunt had a stroke and this "expressive aphasia" along with being paralized on her right side was a permanent result of that stroke. My husband, Bill, asked if I wanted to go to the hospital. I said yes, and soon thereafter we were on our way to Emergency at Mankato-ISJ Hospital (Mankato, Minnesota).

About 20 minutes to get on the road, 30 minutes to Mankato, the initial questioning and diagnosis, then a CT Scan and yet all was done in time to administer a clot buster (TPA) through an IV feed. There is about a 3 hour window of time at the onset of a stroke that a clot buster can be used to possibly reverse the effects of a stroke. There is risk in using a TPA, a clot buster plows through the blood clot and dissolves it. I know with everything in me that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was right there with me taking care of me. Thank you Jesus! The clot buster worked.

Please take this to heart, if you believe you are having a stroke, get to a hospital as quickly as you possibly can. I am living proof that by doing so, you can abate and reverse the effects of a stroke.

I will continue sharing my story tomorrow.

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