Not new, just inspired

Some of you know my story, some don't. I'll share the much abbreviated version with you. December 2008, i went into the hospital with a migraine. They gave me a med i was allergic to and i had a stroke. I was transferred to a local university hospital, and when the ambulance carrying me left, the drs. told my husband they weren't sure i'd survive the trip there. It was 25 minutes away.

I was a quadriplegic when i got there, didn't know the year, the president, etc. What did i know? My kids' and husband's names. I knew i should be able to move, but couldn't and didn't understand why. I knew i couldn't see my kids, and didn't know why. I knew my husband looked heartbroken every time he held my hand, but I couldn't feel it, and didn't know why.

I had 5 or 6 angiograms, a failed angioplasty, and 1 successful angioplasty. I had countless MRIs. I had a PIC line going from my arm straight into my heart. I had a catheter from the artery in my groin to the back of my neck.

I spent 9 days in the ICU, and 27 days total in the hospital. I have 2 stents in my left vertebral artery. All my hair fell out from the radiation i endured during the MRIs and angios. I left the hospital bald and weak, but i was able to WALK out of that hospital. I had intense PT, and within 7 weeks, I returned to work. I began couch 2 5k about 4 months after my stroke. I ran my first ever 5k 10 months, to the day, after my stroke.

I went back to the hospital for my 6 week check-up, after being released. The dr. came in, and asked me to walk down the hall and back. As i returned, i saw tears in his eyes. He said, "When i met you, you were a quadriplegic. 6 weeks later, you're walking like you never had any of this!" He was in utter shock. Just last month, i was released from my dr's care entirely. I'm on NO meds, and am able to do everything i could do before, and then some.

My children were 1 and 3 at the time. I didn't see them for the full 27 days, except on Christmas day, for less than an hour. I had the nurses remove all my oxygen, IVs and anything else they could see, so it wouldn't scare them. I was so exhausted after about 35 minutes, that they had to leave so i could have my oxygen again, and the IV meds. We asked everyone to NOT mention it was Christmas, since they didn't know.

Sorry, that was longer than I anticipated...

Anyway, here's my point: I am eternally optimistic, can find the silver-lining in any situation, and give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I also love to talk dirty, have fun, and make jokes! It's the way i am. If you don't agree with me, talk to me about it. if you don't, i'm okay with that too!

Okay, I'm done now! Get back to work!!! :laugh: