2 I had a stroke, but I was not ready to let go of life and continued to push forward.
On December 8, 2015, I had a stroke. My husband was out of state on a business trip. I had dropped one of my children off to soccer practice and taken my other three children for a quick bite to eat. Sitting in the booth, I began experiencing severe vertigo, nausea, and body temperature issues. My right side could not support my body and began to droop. The symptoms did not subside, and I was diagnosed with a stroke the next day.
The news was surreal. It did not make sense. I lived a healthy lifestyle. I could not quite comprehend what the medical professionals were telling me. I could not stand, I was very weak. My husband returned as soon as he could. There we were, not knowing what our future had in store for us.
We immediately started to focus on the components of life itself including our family and health. My friends within the community rallied. Support was all around me: The community, the church and my co-workers. Co-workers started a meal signup sheet which lasted for months. My siblings and father live hours away, but the inclusive community of Whirlpool took care of my family when I was not able to care for them. All of these groups put the trivial things aside to let me know they were there for whatever my family and I needed.
I am still on medical leave, but I have made milestones of improvement. I have a ways to go to get back to my old routine. Whirlpool Corporation has been unlike any other employer I have ever worked with. In many ways have they indicated that my health comes first. I want to get back to work, to see my work family and support my brand. Whirlpool has earned my life-long dedication and support. I am determined to make a full recovery, and medical professionals predict a year of rehabilitation to get to my goal. My good health before has become important in my healing, and I’m even more dedicated to it as a result.
This stroke has been a one-of-a-kind life lesson. There were times when I was ready to stop trying, but between my husband and my inner-self, I knew that I could keep going.
The value of life has become more real to me. I want to be here for my children, be a part of their life as they grow up. I want to succeed and be a role model in my career. I realize we have all been provided a gift and I am going to respect what I have with healthy living and doing the right thing—always.
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Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your story.