new beginnings II

HOW IT ALL STARTED on March 7, 2002  I headed out to pick up Sarah from school as it was my day to spend with her.   She lived about   60-90 minutes. away.   I was nearly to Hampstead when I noticed I was running over  the centerline orange cones, one after another and was confused why.  I had an incredible thirst and decided to stop at a 7-11 for a coke.  While there  I had difficulty getting out of the car.  my left hand didn't have any coordination.  after a passerby helped me out of the car, someone called 911.  the police and an ambulance responded.  I was laying on the ground by now.   I heard Holly, a paramedic and someone I knew.   as they helped me into the ambulance I said  " I've had a stroke, right ?".  they said it appeared so.     I kept shouting "someone has to pick up Sarah!"   finally Holly said she had called my ex-wife & Sarah's mom to go get her from school.     The next thing I remember is being in the ER  with all sorts of folks around me.   one doctor told me that I likely would not live through the night.    Holly insisted they medivac me to University of Maryland's shock trauma unit in Baltimore.  The next thing I remember is.........  (will tell the next phase of my new beginnings  II in my next blog  )