My stroke occurred over a three day period... By Johnathan Michael Thompson

Today my guest blogger shares with us his experience with Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD). Although FMD is more prevalent in young, and middle-aged women, it can be found in men. It is my pleasure to welcome Johnathan Michael Thompson.

Here's the story of my stroke as far as I can remember:

May of '06

My stroke occurred over a three day period in early May of '06. The first I went to the doctor complaining about a whooshing sound in my ears and suffering from nausea. I was given medication and sent home. I didn't know I was suffering the first stages of a stroke.

In the pre-evening the next day the light was much too bright for my eyes and I was suffering from same nausea, whooshing in my ears. When I arrived at the ER at Lancaster General Hospital I waited five hours before someone saw me. My wife was suspecting a stroke. I had a family history of strokes because my mother died of an aneurism when she was 31. My twin brother and I were two, my younger brother was one.

The physician who saw me was saying that I was having a migraine because of the sheet I had over my head because of the very bright lights. Having never had migraines, my wife insisted that I was having a stroke but to no avail. The doctor sent me home with morphine.

The third and final day I had a meeting with a guy who I was doing a freelance job. I drove over to the place, it was a short ride from my home, met with him a the President of the Ad agency. Little did I know but I left my keys is the car and my battery had died. I called the Creative Director of the place I was doing another freelance job and he picked me up.

I was ready to begin the day. About eleven in the morning I saw 'floaters' in both of my eyes. I tried to get up out of my seat but found myself stumbling. My CD said 'Quit screwing around' but when I spoke to it came out garbled. I knew right there that I was having a 'true stroke.'

The folks at the Ad Agency called wife and said there was something wrong with your husband. I went back to my family physician and confirmed my stroke.
I was driven in an ambulance and put on a respirator.

I lost 20-25 pounds, my stroke still affects my right side. No longer can I draw with my right arm.

My Fibromuscular Dysplasia happened to me, a male, usually happening to a female and to my carotid arteries instead of occurring in the kidneys.

Thank you Johnathan for sharing your experience and spreading awareness of FMD!