Donna Lundgren

May 17, 2003, was the day I had a stroke. The power had gone out in the wee hours of the morning. My three kids and I had gone outside to stay cool. We hung around out there until the power had come on, which wasn't long. It was about six am by then and I laid on the couch to watch TV and doze off. All of a sudden I couldn't move my hands. They were dangling from my wrists. The last word I spoke for a while, was "Michael"! While my oldest son came to me, I peed all over myself. He tried to stand me up, but I just fell back down on the couch. I hadn't taken my blood pressure pills yet. My daughter told my son to call 911 and an ambulance came. My oldest son, who was 20 years old, followed the ambulance to the hospital, which was about 35 miles away. My daughter, who was about to graduate from high school, rode in the ambulance with me. My youngest son stayed home to let the dog out as needed and to call my dad.

For a week I was in intensive care. Later, people said I wanted them to pull the plug, but I don't remember. I do remember being too scared to die, so I must have changed my mind. I was only 46 and I couldn't move anything but my eyes. I had a tracheotomy and a feeding tube put in. They said I wouldn't live, or walk again. God was on my side. It's been a long years struggle, but after 9 short months, I was home again. I had friends and relatives that cared about me that I didn't know I had. I went from a hospital to a rehab hospital, to a nursing home, and then back to the rehab hospital. The therapists at the nursing home got me to walking again with a walker. Slowly I regained my strength and the ability to do stuff. At first, recovery was daily, then weekly.

My ex-husband had moved back into our house, to pay the bills and watch out for the kids. He remodeled the house for someone in a wheelchair. I'm glad to be home, but it's hard. Three weeks ago, I fell and cracked my ankle. That interrupted my therapy for 6 weeks.

The whole town I lived in, prayed for me. The bank where I worked sent me cards and birthday and Christmas presents. They spoiled me. They raised some money to pay my medical bills. I have to admit that was fun, but I don't wish anyone to have to go through this.

When I got out, I had to plan my daughter, Sarina's wedding. It's amazing how you can throw a wedding from a wheelchair. Jan became my best friend. Jan, May and Heather cleaned my house. Jan made the wedding cake and didn't charge me. Heather took pictures and made copies of the CD. I have wonderful friends who are glad I'm alive. My near death experience even made a co-worker that I didn't get along with become my friend. She did things for me I didn't expect.

During my stroke, I never felt any pain. The only warning I had was seeing a pinpoint light up high in my field of vision. Now I don't see it.

My life has changed and I can't go back to work yet. The bank is considering me still as an employee. I have to be able to write well, hopefully with my right hand. I also can't control going to the bathroom. I never want to go through this again.

I can't be left alone and my son takes care of me, drives me around. It's hard adjusting back to life.

Donna Lundgren
USA

Thanks to Donna for sending in her profile. Anyone else who would like to share their story can send it along with a photograph (if you're not shy!)

• c/o PROFILES,
• Click here for address