Katherine Ruiz

On January 28th of 2005, I had a severe migraine and my son drove me to the E. R. My balance was off, my vision was blurred with star shapes coming and going, and I began to have trouble speaking. The E. R. team did not recognize the symptoms probably because of my age(42). My blood pressure was 175/95. They set me out in the waiting room for 7 hours. Finally, they called me in and after the MRI and CAT scan realized what was going on. Suddenly, a neurologist was called in and I was admitted to the hospital.

The next day, the Dr. decided to do a lumbar puncture. It did not seal correctly so they had to go back into the spine with a blood patch. Since my blood was so thick at that time, the blood patch did not go well and it caused a blood clot to break loose from the spine causing a second stroke, this time to the brainstem right side. I could not walk, talk or reason to make any decisions. The hospital panicked and sent me home without care. I had to readmit myself to another hospital within three days due to the inability to perform any usual activities and now, with a severe pain in my lower spine. They kept me for 8 days, told me I had a severe stroke, I probably would not recover and then sent me to rehab. But, at least I started to receive the care I needed to recover.

I went through 4 months of rehab/P.T., a walker, a cane, and daily exercising. I was determined to get well and not let this take my life away from me. The P. T. people were great and motivated me to continue the process no matter how painful and discouraging it looked. I had to continue to work since my employer decided to demote me to a lower position on commission only. Every day I went to appointments to sell insurance with my walker and slurred speech. My co-agents drove me to the appointments since I was not allowed to drive. I was only semi-successful since I had limited strength and had to rely on others to take me places.

From February to May of this year, it did not look promising. I prayed and keep my spirit going through attending my local church. I did not blame God for what happened to me and I continued to ask Him for strength and healing. In April of this year, I began to go to a natural path Dr. She started giving me B-complex shots, accessing my diet, changing some bad habits, and helping me with losing 40 lbs. I started using the Maker's diet and lifestyle plan. I lost the 40 lbs., changed my habits of junk food eating, going to bed late, not getting enough sleep, started to exercise, taking mega amounts of vitamins and herbs, started college to finish my masters, changed my job and changed my outlook on life from negative to positive even in the midst of despairing and overwhelming events.

It is now September, I have a new job as a consultant for AARP with a significant pay raise, I had to interview and give a presentation from memory (scary), and they chose me from a list of candidates. I am not longer in a walker or cane and can even drive, go to the airport to take a plane, dance and hike again. I am speaking with a normal tone and diction. I am starting my life as a single person since my husband decided to walk away during my time of need and have several new friends that support and love me, and I am involved in the music ministry in my church, singing in the choir and praise team. No one can tell what I had to go through just 8 months ago but I still struggle with memory at times, I am deaf in my right ear, I look in the mirror and see the droop on my right side of my face (even though others say they cannot tell), I am afraid of people at times, depression comes and goes from the loss I experienced, coping unreal fears and I had/have to relearn everything that was controlled by the right side of my brain.

The living activities were easy, balance took longer, speaking and writing were next, my personality came back and is still blooming, memory is hard and I struggle the most with relationships and emotions. I have a problem with large crowds because I feel vulnerable since I do not see myself as completely healed. I am not who I use to be, I probably will never be, but I thank God everyday that I am restored and restoring everyday to the person He wants me to be. People who knew me before say that I am another person but I am content with who I am today. A strong willed, determined, focused individual that will not give up or give in until the last battle is fought. I hope I can give encouragement to others in similar situations to strive for wellness and never give up because if I can do it, they can too.

Thanks to Katherine 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!)

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