A sudden dizziness engulfed me. My dogs, Amor (a service dog) and Cheri (a service dog in training), alerted me that I was in trouble. I realized my words were slurred, and I was experiencing a growing weakness in my extremities. I texted my neighbor, Laurel White: "I am showing symptoms of a stroke," managed to come from my mouth.
Since Laurel was at work, she called another neighbor, Ana Fantini. Ana came running to my house and called 911.
When firefighters/paramedics Caleb Pohren and Daniel Harrell arrived, I was no longer able to speak or move. They compassionately lifted me onto a stretcher and rushed me to the ambulance. I heard Caleb say, “I met her before when her heart was in trouble; she’s usually a spitfire. She’s not at all like this.”
I managed to utter, “Luh Luh…” trying to say Loma Linda University Hospital. Suddenly, a deeper dizziness descended.
“There’s not enough time to get you to Loma Linda,” Caleb responded. “Your blood pressure is 190/110. Redlands Community Hospital is closer. They have a special Stroke Response Team.” Redlands Community Hospital is just a few blocks from my house.
As firefighters Caleb and Daniel moved my stretcher rapidly toward the Emergency Room, I blacked out. When I regained consciousness, a team dressed in white surrounded me. One of them was injecting something into my IV.
"We almost lost her," I heard Caleb say.
"I see that," responded one of the team members.
At that point, I felt overwhelming gratitude—for my dogs, Amor and Cheri; for my neighbors, Laurel and Ana; and most of all, for our firefighters, Caleb Pohren and Daniel Harrell.
Seven weeks later, I went by the fire station to thank Caleb and Daniel. I joyously smiled for the camera as they held my service dogs, Amor and Cheri.
My gratitude goes beyond the boundaries of words.