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Edee T.  Survivor In 2004, at the age of 39, I went to a doctor for one year telling him I didn't feel well. I was told it was depression and put on medication. One day my indigestion was so bad that I went to the ER, only to be told that I needed a stress test because my ekg was abnormal. After this, I had an arteriogram and was told that I had 70% blockage of widow maker and proceeded to have open heart surgery. I had a graft, and then two months later had to have two stents because it re blocked. One year later, I was at work and had a headache, I went to speak and couldn't, and my left arm and leg were numb. I was rushed to the hospital. My three children came into the ER and my youngest was crying. I tried to say, "It's okay," and I couldn't! I was a prisoner in my own body. I couldn't raise my leg or arm. It was horrible... It was worse than my open heart. I had to learn to speak and walk again. My children said I sounded like Dori on Finding Nemo. My short term memory was affected, and this can be so frustrating for myself and others. I can no longer calculate, which made my career in radiology cease. At times, what is so simple to others is so difficult for me. I have recovered in many ways and I thank God for that. I want for others to not be afraid for them to make their doctors listen. I want to be the voice I once lost. |
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