Becky Roberts
January 27, 2009
Professional Development
Final Project
My Story
January 22, 2007 started out like any other workday. Get ready for work, get the girls ready for school and get out of the house by 8:30 so I can get Caitlin to kindergarten on time. Hugs & kisses and I’m off to my job and the stress of the last month weighing heavily on my mind. I was feeling different today but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Oh well, chalk it up to my job, stress, not enough sleep, a teenager and then there was the funny feeling on the side of my face, just a tingling sensation like my lips were falling asleep. Whatever, I probably just bit my lip or cheek and forgot about it.
By the time I got to work I was really feeling odd, I knew something was wrong because now my hand was falling asleep, and my face was drooping. I left work and headed home with the sickening feeling that I knew what was happening. As I passed the hospital on Eagle Road I knew I should turn in, but my mind said ‘nah forget about it, your only 37 it can’t happen at your age’.
When I got home my whole left side was now tingling and numb in spots. I’m scared. Stress, that’s all it is, have a shot of whiskey and a smoke, relax you’ll feel better soon, stress, stress, stress, my mind kept thinking, my instincts were screaming NO, CALL AN AMBULANCE! NOW!!!
My oldest daughter came home after school and tried to get me to go to the hospital, when I refused she called my mother-in-law to come over and sit with me. After a little while I convinced her I was fine, she argued with me, but went home, and that’s when it got worse. I could barely walk, I couldn’t feel my face or hand and I began to throw up. This can’t be good. My husband finally got home around 4:30 and I ask him to drive me to St. Luke’s.
I don’t remember much after that. I vaguely remember walking into the hospital and telling them I had a stroke. My husband says I had a MRI and they...