Reader Report: Stroke survivor gets back in the race

I recently completed my 10th competitive race at the American Heart Assn.’s Orange County Heart Run & Walk in Laguna Niguel.

I did not finish first. I did not set a record. In fact, I was one of the last among the 5K walkers to cross the finish line. But for me, this was a milestone accomplishment.

Seven years ago I never thought I would walk or talk again. I was 44 years old and in the prime of my life, on track to climb the corporate ladder, when I had a stroke in the middle of the night.

I did not know I was having a stroke; I did not recognize the warning signs. By the time I arrived in the hospital, it was too late to administer treatment that could have improved my outcome. The stroke left me paralyzed on one side.

I knew it was bad. I could see it in the eyes of the doctors and nurses who tended to me. I cried. I was so scared. I thought about my future and my kids. My job. How are we going to survive?

I remember my sister said to me in the hospital, “Fight, Lisa, fight.” She was telling me not to give up. I stayed in the hospital for a week and, after two months of inpatient rehab, I learned to talk, write, read and walk again (with a cane at the time).

As months went by I became physically stronger and my mind was clearer. I thought, now what? It did not take long for me to find my answer. I received a mailer from the American Heart Assn. about marathon training.

I can do this, I told myself. My friends and family thought I was insane, but I was excited and went for it.

Training for a marathon strengthened my body and mind, and crossing the finish line for my first half marathon was unforgettable. I was the last to finish but I felt on top of the world.

Since then I’ve completed 10 mostly half marathons, a few 10Ks and 5Ks. Now I’m training for the Long Beach Half Marathon in October and the Surf City Half Marathon next year.

Since my stroke I have dedicated myself to raising awareness of America’s No. 4 killer and leading cause of disability and to inspiring other stroke survivors to never give up. I want to lead an example for other stroke survivors and show that there is life after stroke.

If there is anything I’d like people to learn from my story, it’s to listen to your body and learn the warning signs of a stroke. The American Heart Assn. recommends FAST as an easy way to remember what sometimes could be subtle signs of a stroke.

F stands for face drooping, A is for arm weakness, S is for speech difficulty, and T means time to call 911.

If you’d like to join me in training for a half or full marathon, contact Start Training at https://www.ocstarttraining.org or (949) 885-1542. To learn more about stroke, visit https://www.strokeassociation.org.

Stroke survivor LISA SATCHFIELD lives in Irvine.