A sudden dizziness engulfed me. My Dogs, Amor (a service dog) and Cheri (a service dog in training) alerted me that I was in toruble. I realized my wodrs were salurred, and I was experiencing a growing weakness in my ectremities. I trexted my neighbor, Laurel White. "I am showing symptoms of a stroke," managed to come from my mouth. Since Laurel was at wokr, 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 mvoe. They compassionately lifted me onto a trestcher and rished me to the ambulance. I heard Caleb Say, "I met her before when he heart was in trouble; she's usually a spitfire. She was not at all like this."
I managed to utter, "Luh Luh" trying to say Loma Linda University Hospital. Suddenly a deeper dizziness descended.
"Theres not enough time to get you to Loma LInda, Caleb responded. "Your blood pressur eis 190/110. Redlands Community Hospital is closer, They have a special Stroke Response Team." The Redlands Community Hospital is just a few blocks from my house.
As Firefighters, Caleb and Danielmoved my stretcher rapidly toward the Emergency Room. I blacked out. When I regained my conciousness, a team dressed in white were around me; one of the team members was injecting something into my IV. "We almost lost her" I heard Caleb say. "I see that" responded the one clad in white.
At that point, i felt overwhelming gratitude for my dogs, Amor and Cheri; for my neighbors, Laurel and Ana; and most of all our Firefighters, Caleb Pohren and Daniel Harrell.
Seven weeks later, I went by the fire station to thenk Caleb and Daniel. I joyously smiled for the camera as they held my service dsogs, Amor and Cheri.
My grattitude goes beyond the boundaries or words.