My "adventure" after the DW 1/2

[klh-or]

I signed up I trained, I went from Oregon to Florida for the event. I got swept but I gave it my best shot! I met Dave and Erica, Maria and other WISHERs! I loved my time at DW.

Then, on Wednesday/Thursday of the following week, while still at DW, I had a stroke! Yes, just 2 days after my 51st birthday, I started having symptoms.

Looooong story short, I knew what was going on and as strokes go it wasn't too bad, and for some reason (denial?), I didn't go to hospital. Rather, I waited until our flight home (my daughter was with me), managed to get home, and spent the entire next day in the ER. That was 6 weeks ago. Two days ago I went back to work 1/2 time. I have about 80% function back in my right leg, maybe 85% in my speech and my hand is around 65%. My doctors say with hard work and a little luck, I should be back to 100% eventually.

This could have happened anywhere, it just happened to be in Florida. The 1/2 really had nothing to do with it, but looking back I think it had something to do with my lack of energy for the 1/2.

So, I am here to tell you to listen to your body and take your daily aspirin! Eat smart! Exercise often! Rest well! I've been given the green light to get back on the treadmill or walk outside, starting slowly. I hope to do a 5k the first weekend in May.

Be well,
Karla

 

[twotoohappy]

Glad you're on the mend

Take it slow and there's always '09 to beat the sweepers

 

[twoWDWfools]

So glad you're improving and able to start walking again. Don't over do it to soon, but hope to see you in '09!

 

[swim-mom]

You were given a second chance, you must have gotten some pixie dust

Regain your strength and reclaim your life and live it to the fullest!!

 

[BamaEd1]

Glad you're on the mend. I have a friend who had nearly the same thing happen about 5 years ago with a little more loss of use. He ran a marathon a month last year. Keep your chin up, get on the treadmill slowly, then speed up a GO!!!!!!(And if it happens again, for God's sake, go to the hospital)

 

[KelNottAt]

OMG. How frightening. I glad you're getting better. May you make a full and speedy recovery.

 

[Cruella de mom]

Wow. How scary. Not what you want to happen on vacation.

I completely understand why you didn't want to go to the hospital in a strange town, (I once flew home while in labor so I could deliver a stillborn baby with MY doctor.... ) but in hindsight would you still do the same thing? Don't they tell you that you should get to the hospital in the first hour? I am not judging you, because I realize have no idea what you were dealing with, but curious as to whether you think it would have made a difference in your particular case? It sounds like you knew what you were doing.

I hope that you mend quickly and that you take very good care of yourself. You are right, that is probably why the half was so diificult for you. Just imagaine how hard your body was having to work!