On Tuesday, November 18th, my life turned upside down…again.
What I thought was a stomach flu on Sunday and Monday turned out to be something far more serious.
On Tuesday morning, my daughter saw me trying - unsuccessfully - to get out of bed. She asked what was wrong.
I tried to answer her, but I couldn't.
My words were gibberish. I couldn't form a sentence.
Within minutes, I was rushed to the hospital and stroke protocols began immediately.
A spinal tap revealed bacterial meningitis, and an MRI confirmed a stroke in my left hemisphere.
The infection brought on the stroke.
I spent 10 days in the hospital.
I'm now home - but home looks very different than it did before.
My daughter Katie has been by my side day and night. I have PSWs coming morning and evening, a nurse who comes every night to administer IV antibiotics through my PICC line, and physiotherapy and occupational therapy twice a week.
This illness has left me very weak—unable to stand or walk unassisted, unable to care for myself independently, and in significant pain.
And still, I want you to know this:
✨ I will recover.
The doctors are confident of that, even if the timeline is unclear. I've walked hard roads before, and I know how to stay the course.
I simply didn't have the strength to write to my community until now.
In the meantime, my daughter Katie - my fierce, loving, incredible girl - started a GoFundMe on my behalf. I am profoundly blessed to have her, and deeply moved by the love already pouring in from friends and this beautiful community.
The road ahead will be slow.
But I trust myself.
I trust my resilience.
And I trust that I will see myself through this.
The financial stress, however, is very real. Recovery comes with costs that add up quickly, and I do need help right now.
If you are able, I hope you'll take a moment to read the GoFundMe, contribute if you can, and share the link with others. Every bit of support; financial, emotional, or energetic, means more than I can properly put into words.
Thank you for holding me, cheering me on, and believing in my healing.
This is resilience in action and I'm not done yet 💕