Had a stroke & need a stroke of good luck!

Hello, one & all…

Diana Warnock here…

I’m currently recovering from an ischemic stroke that hit me in the first week of October. I’m currently on disability leave from work with no specific date of return, and facing thousands in medical bills. Please take a moment to read about what happened and help in any way you can.

October 7th, I had an ischemic stroke. It started with my left side getting all pins-n-needles but soon became vertigo & no control of my lefts side. My mind was mostly clear; enough to call my daughter to come now & my coworker to let him know I wasn’t making it in because “I think I’m having a stroke!” At that point, I started getting very scared. When the EMTs arrived, they took my vitals & my blood pressure was 240/175!! I asked the paramedic, “How was it I was in cardiac arrest?!” He didn’t know why but said, “Hospital NOW!”

Thankfully, I got into the hospital fast and after CAT scan and reducing my BP, they were able to give me a new medication, TNK, which can only be used within a 4-hour window. They were able to treat me by hour 2, and it dissolved the clot & reversed the left side paralysis!

I had a fairly amazing recovery in the hospital & was released 30 hours after admittance! It was all very surreal. It still is.

Although I’m doing much better now, I do have brain damage to recover from, I’m still very fatigued, and other genetic issues have complicated my recovery, which I will also need to attend to in order to recover as much as possible.

I am insured, but have thousands of dollars in medical bills, and I’m on disability leave from work, which only pays 70% of my wages (I’m not yet sure how long I will be out).

Learning how to deal with stress in a healthy way is a huge part of my recovery plan. I’m making big lifestyle changes to make sure I stay healthy enough to contribute to making this life the best I can for myself, and everyone in my circle. I’m facing those internal stressors within myself, and making great strides so far.

External financial stressors, however, are not something I can overcome just on my own. Asking for help is difficult for me. I’ve always been so independent, and I’m much more comfortable giving than receiving. I’m usually the one helping out others, but now I find myself in the awkward position of having to ask for help.

With my hat in my hand, please consider helping a gal out by donating whatever you can reasonably offer to assist me while I recover. Donations will go to help me have a little less financial stress, so I can focus on making the most of my recovery period. I want to come out stronger on the other side, so I can once again contribute to the community we’ve helped create, and I will forever be grateful to everyone who can give whatever they can to help me in any way possible.

So much gratitude and humble appreciation for you all.

Diana Warnock