"I Think I'm Having a Stroke!"

On Sunday morning, June 3, while praying aloud in front of my adult Sunday School class at Shepherd's Community Church, I was suddenly unable to speak. My thoughts were clear; I could hear and see everything around me. But when I tried to put words to my thoughts, I could only stutter.

I could see everyone looking at me, wondering what was going on. I knew I needed to let them know that something was wrong, but the words simply weren't there. I managed to substitute synonyms from time to time, and struggled out something like: "I don't want you to think I'm intending any weirdness by this." Then: "I think I'm having a stroke!"

Immediately, the whole class jumped into action. Several folks came around me and had me sit down. Dan Kolker and Walter Rude - I remember them hugging me and praying for me. I could hear Sara Jo calling 911.

Joan asked me my wife's name and phone number - I could understand her perfectly, but could not answer her. I kept thinking: "This is a problem. I need to fix it! I'm having a stroke. What do you do for a stroke?"

As people were praying, I felt a supernatural calm. I began to pray, too. "Lord, if this is my time, I'm ready. Please watch over my family." I was worried about Shirley and the kids, but I can honestly say I did not fear dying. I knew where I was going.

I learned later that Kitty had gone over to the sanctuary to have the entire congregation pray for me. When she did, Mark Nix - an MD - came to the classroom. He had me lay on my left side. As soon as I laid down, I could feel something relax in my mind. I found that I could speak again - haltingly at first, one word here and there. But by the time the paramedics arrived (about 10 minutes later), I was able to answer questions verbally.

The ambulance rushed me to West Hills Hospital where the Emergency doctors got me stablized. The first diagnosis was a TIA - a mini-stroke. They performed a CAT-scan to see if there was anything left of the bloodclot. I knew there was a problem with the scan when the doctor poked his head in the room and asked, "Have you ever had a severe blow to the head?"

I was admitted to the hospital that afternoon, an MRI to follow the next day. There was a 'shadow' on the CAT-scan that looked suspicious. It might be nothing more than calcium deposits. It might be a tumor.

My most vivid memories of my time in the ER was my wife and church family gathering around me. They would let them in, one or two at a time, and they kept coming! I sent my wife out to the waiting room to tell everyone I was fine, to go home, that I appreciated them being there. But many stayed. Everyone was great, but I particularly remember Rick James, Randy Leinen, and Larry LaCom - and of course, Casey Walker.

The love of Christ is truly expressed in the faithful servants who make up His church on earth.