On February 10th 2022, one day before my 34th birthday, the brain cells in the left region of my brain were deprived of oxygen for an undetermined period of time as a result of multiple blood clots in my brain. On February 10th 2022, one day before my 34th birthday, I had a stroke. 

My first indication that something was wrong was when I began heavily slurring my words on a work call. I assumed that I was just tired and carried on with the call as best as I could. The immediate next clue was when I spent close to 15 mins trying to write a simple email. As I typed the words I wanted to say, different combinations of letters came out making no sense at all. I would delete the 'words' and then try again. Same thing. I then started dropping things, unable to stay coordinated and noticing how strange they sounded when they hit the ground in almost slow motion. Shortly thereafter, I met my friend for dinner who instantly noticed that something was wrong. As we walked to dinner, my symptoms escalated and I tried to say that maybe I was having a stroke but couldn't get the word out. Apparently I kept staying "stoke". We decided to call 911 who came and advised I go to the hospital. A few hours later, the CT and MRI results came back indicating that I had had not one but three strokes. I was admitted to the hospital and spent the next few days undergoing a series of tests to determine what might have caused the stokes at such a young age (great way to spend my birthday!). All the tests came back normal. I was released with preventative measures to take but no diagnosis as to the cause. 

One month later, I was hospitalized again for having two more strokes. More tests and more time at the hospital. This time the doctor's found a potential contributor - a hole in my heart - but still nothing concrete. 

The tests continue with the hope of finding something. During this time I have been blessed with a tremendous care team including my neurologist, cardiologist, electric cardiologist (yes its a thing), speech therapists, occupational therapists, incredibly funny and kind nurses who helped me celebrate my birthday, numerous support teams that help me coordinate what feels like daily doctors visits and the list goes on...

I'm also incredibly blessed because of the amount of research on strokes that organizations like the Stroke Association have funded, thus ensuring that I got the best care and the best chance at recovery.  Today, because of this care, I'm able to work part time (and hopefully soon full time), I'm able to exercise (more on that in a minute) and I'm able to live independently- all incredible feats for someone who had 5 strokes less than 4 months ago!

So exercise- why is being able to exercise again so important to me? Well, as some of you may know, exercise has been a HUGE part of my life for the last three years as I've trained and competed in half ironman triathlons as well as half marathons. Apparently, the level of exercise I did before the strokes was also key in my ability to recover as quickly as I have as well as in potentially minimizing the severity of the strokes. If that's not an incentive to keep exercising, I don't know what is!

This brings us to the London Marathon. I have been given a place in the London Marathon through the Stroke Association. In addition to giving me a goal to work towards to keep my exercise on track, I've also been given an opportunity to fundraise for a cause that has directly impacted my life in the last year. I would be so grateful for any sponsorship you provide to help me fundraise for this amazing cause. Below you can find more information on the Stroke Association as well as the impact your donation will have on Stroke victims like me.  Please also feel free to share this post and link with anyone who you think might be interested in learning about the amazing work the Stroke Association does. Love,