The Source of My Strength

The state police officer was first to arrive on the scene. He approached my vehicle and was provided with all the necessary information regarding my complications and personal information from the On Star operator. Moments later the paramedics arrived; two approaching from opposite sides of my vehicle. The paramedic on the driver side of the vehicle was briefed and updated by the state police officer.

Meanwhile the other paramedic who approached the passenger side of the vehicle, quickly opened the passenger side front door and placed his body in the front seat. He pulled out a blood pressure cuff and placed it on my right arm, and firmly began to pump the blood pressure cuff while listening to my heart beat through the stethoscope placed in his ears. Within seconds he reported my blood pressure as 175 over 120.

He immediately screamed to his partner,” Bring the stretcher. Her blood pressure is dangerously high. She’s demonstrating several signs of a TIA.” It was then the paramedics informed the On Star operator and Lenny we were being transported to the nearest hospital located in Atlantic City, New Jersey. As my semi unconscious body was placed on the stretcher and with the assistance of the paramedics, Mary was placed in the front seat of the ambulance and off to the hospital we went.

Upon arrival to the hospital I would undergo several test to determine what my diagnoses was. Mary would sit in a chair just beside my hospital bed in the emergency department. A nurse would give Mary some lunch and something to drink as she sat with Mary keeping her company and trying to assure her that I would be ok. Lenny arrived at the hospital with Sidney, Miracle, Grand boy, Destiny, Angel, Jordan, Christian, and our God sister Christine. With tears in their eyes they all gathered around my hospital bed as Lenny led the family in prayer.

Just as Lenny finished praying, a medical team of doctors, nurses, and other specialists entered my room. It was then the doctor informed me I suffered a transient ischemic attack, also known as a mini stroke. This occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery for a short time. Although I tried to show no emotion whatsoever to the doctors report, I was very upset and my stomach felt like a ball of knots. Here I was in my thirties laying in a hospital bed diagnosed with a stroke. I was tired and felt like I had accomplished all God set out for me to do. I had seen both Sidney and Miracle graduate from high school. They both were on their way to fulfill their dreams and future endeavors. I had no energy left in my body to fight for my life.

From that moment on I just wanted to give up on life and lay there and die until I heard Grand boy who begin to cry when Sidney placed him near my face so I could kiss him. I knew it wasn’t over yet and I began to pray and asked God to spare my life. I had hundreds of reasons to live but the most important one of the hundreds was to live to see my Grand boy, Mark Anthony, grow up. His cry was like energy to my soul and his tears felt like anointed oil. As I laid in the bed praying I knew God, and Mark Anthony wanted me to fight for my life because of them I lived and they became “The Source To My Strength”.

The stroke left me feeling extremely weak, with complete numbness to the left side of my body. I had difficulty with walking and couldn’t maintain my balance without falling. I was confused and had trouble with speaking, severe headaches which would be treated with a combination of medications which the doctors called “a cocktail” mixed especially for me.

I would undergo a major rehabilitation program while hospitalized. I would be treated by a physical therapist, a healthcare provider who specializes in maximizing a stroke survivor’s mobility and independence to improve major and sensory impairments, such as walking, balance, and coordination. I would also be treated by an occupational therapist who focuses on helping stroke survivors rebuild skills in daily living activities such as bathing, toileting, and dressing. A rehabilitation nurse who coordinates the medical support needs of stroke survivors throughout the rehabilitation process. The speech therapist, a specialist who helps to restore language skills and also swallowing disorders.

Nana would come to see me with Uncle Alex and Aunt Raynell while I was in the hospital. Nana was full of emotion and could not stop crying as she stood at my bedside. Nana was the last person to see me the day I had the stroke. She remembered the conversation we shared and how I appeared to be physically and emotionally fit without any complaints whatsoever during my visit. To see me laying in that hospital bed helpless, Nana just could not get herself together. Her visit would be brief. To assure my blood pressure would not elevate because of Nana’s crying and emotional state, Uncle Alex and Aunt Raynell would escort Nana from my hospital room.

Lenny, Sidney, Miracle, Grand boy, Jordan, Christian, Angel, Destiny, Christine, Chyna, and my special friend Sunshine would come to visit me every day. Along with my nieces and nephews and a multitude of other visitors, my best friend Eve, who’s a doctor, would drive over an hour each way every day to come to the hospital to assist me with bathing. She knew I was a very private person and really didn’t want the hospital staff or my family members to assist me with my personal hygiene.

Sidney would operate my business, Partners Into Action, with the assistance of Miracle and my business partner Naomi to assure all business and service needs were being met in my absence.

My other best friend Dawn would call everyday to get a full report from the nurses or Lenny in regards to my progress. Sunshine would stay every night I was in the hospital to keep me company; sleeping on the recliner chair which was placed in the corner of my hospital room. I received excellent care while in the hospital from my medical team. My medical team continued to encourage me to fight and assured me