I was at the doctor with my youngest when I got a call on my cell. We had just been shown to an exam room, and I didn't really pay attention to who was calling and after I answered the phone the voice sounded like my friend when she is messing with me disguising her voice. But after I said WHAT DO YOU WANT, she didn't stop like she usually does. So I looked at the caller ID and realized that it was the wife of a co-worker. I really couldn't understand her, her voice sounded very distorted and I thought oh my gosh, is she drunk? She was crying and drawing her words out a lot. I said what's the matter, thinking it was more drama with her husband who has been having an affair and not being very nice to her since she caught him. Then she said she was in the hospital and my light flickered on. She said what I already knew by now, she had had a stroke. I don't know yet what caused it but I can only guess it was from her blood pressure. She has been under a terrific amount of stress for the last month or so and her husband, my co-worker, is just a jerk and is mad at her because he got caught.

I really feel bad that I was so abrupt when I answered the phone, I really did think it was a friend of mine. I told her I would try to come see her. I just hope I can handle it. I told my husband that because I am so emotional I didn't know how I was going to react when I see her. If she is as bad as she sounds I'm not sure I can handle it.

I told her the only thing I knew to tell her, I said it seems really bad in the beginning but it will get better. I asked if I had ever told her that I had a stroke and she said no. So I told her that a year ago I had stroked and that it took a while but eventually I started feeling better.

I don't remember sounding quite as bad as she does but I do remember sounding drunk. Maybe it was worse to those listening to me. I had a very hard time understanding her and I will probably muster the courage to go see her tomorrow since the hospital is right near my office. I just don't want to give her any false hope. I know that I've been extremely lucky with my recovery and the fact that I don't have too many lingering effects. I also know that others have not had the same fortune that I've had.

Wow, I wish she wasn't going through this.