On Wednesday I was running around doing errands all morning long, just a normal morning. I arrived home about 12:40, brought in my things from my car and called my sister Chelsie to discuss my morning. Benton left as I arrived home, he had to run some of our garbage to the dump. I was looking in the fridge trying to find something to feed Cambree for lunch.
As I was talking my words began to slur. It was the craziest thing. In my head I knew and understood that I was slurring my words really bad but as I was trying to repeat myself. I couldn't verbalize what I was thinking. Chelsie of course was trying to understand what I was saying. At first she thought I was laughing or crying but as she tried to understand me she realized something was wrong. She hung up the phone with me and frantically called Benton to tell him to turn around and go home because I needed help.
I couldn't comprehend what was happening. Why couldn't I speak? I must have blacked out because when I woke up Benton was home trying to talk to me. He couldn't get me to respond so he went to find Cambree so he could stick her in her car seat to take me to the hospital. As he was walking away from me I woke up. I tried saying his name but what I was thinking was coming out all mixed up. I yelled for him and was asking him to come help me while sobbing. I tried wiping my tears from my face and realized my body, face, legs, everything was numb. I couldn't stand up, I was stuck helpless. Benton came to my rescue and was on the phone with 911. The operator asked "Does she have an onset headache?", "yes" I replied, "Is her body numb?", "Yes it is", "Is her speech slurred?", we replied "Yes". Benton also said that half my face was slumped. Then within minutes 2 ambulances were at our new house telling me I probably had a stroke and needed to go to the hospital.
We spent the next 5 hours in the Emergency Room. Benton called Chelsie, who dropped everything to come get Cambree so she wasn't stuck at the hospital. I felt back to normal except a splitting headache. They first had me get blood tests, a Cat Scan, a chest x-ray and finally an MRI. Luckily they said I didn't have a major stroke. The test showed it didn't leave any long term damage. With a mini stroke or a TIA, unless you have the symptoms at the hospital it is too hard for them to determine if that is what actually happened. The doctor said our technology for that still isn't good enough to let us know what actually happened. What happened to me matches exactly what the symptoms are for a TIA (transient ischemic attack or mini stroke). They referred me to go see a Neurologist within 2-5 days. I will call on Monday to schedule an appointment.
I am so thankful I did not have a full blown stroke and that it didn't cause any serious damage. I know Benton and Chelsie have been traumatized by this, which is understandable. My family as well as Benton's have called me daily to check on me, they have all said they will be calling in periodically to make sure I am alright.
Today I drove past a funeral progression and it hit me hard. I of course began to cry and it finally sunk in how serious what happened on Wednesday really was. I love all my family and friends and I promise you I will go to the doctor and figure out what happened to me so it doesn't happen again.
5 comments:
Oh Melissa, I'm so sorry you went through that. I am so glad you are okay. I am so grateful that you were on the phone with Chelsie when that happened. I hope you are feeling okay now and that everything goes okay with your appointment Monday. You are in my prayers friend. Hugs!
Melissa - ohmygoodness. I'm speechless. So glad you are ok, can't wait to hear more from additional tests. I love you friend!
I'm so glad you're okay! I panicked when I saw your FB post. Please keep us up-to-date with the results!
Melissa that is really scary, so many things about it must have been so truly terrifying. Poor Benton I can't imagine what must have been going through his mind trying to help you. I think it's amazing that you were talking to your sister while it happened what a blessing that she was able to call Benton and tell him to get home. I am so relieved all is well, lots of love friend. That kind of puts a lot into perspective doesn't it.
That was such a scary day and i really hated being so far away. So glad everything worked out the way it did, with chelsie being on the phone with you and Benton pretty close by. Love ya!
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