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Douglas M.  Survivor I was coming out of a long sleep when I awoke. I was aware that I was unable to feel my right side. I lowered myself from the couch, and knew I definitely had a stroke. I gradually crawled toward the phone but I wasn't able to push the buttons. I was in and out of consciousness for two days. When the phone rang I picked it up and spoke, but didn't say anything but "blah blah blah". It was my best friend. She got an ambulance and I fell back to sleep. I was unconscious for about three weeks. I went from 240 pounds to 170 pounds. The doctor told my friend that I might die anytime. She cried a lot. I awakened in the hospital and my friend smiled. I was going to be given a five week course of rehabilitation. It was very hard, but it was good therapy. After I left the hospital, my friend put me up in her room and put my home up for sale. The first goal was to get well, and I had a nurse during the day. Then I was with two therapists for 52 weeks at an outpatient center. Later I was introduced to another rehab center. I have continued there for about three years. Now everything works except my speech. My recovery has been a little at a time, very slowly. |
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