A long-time employee of Parkwest, Kelly reported to work via ambulance that Friday morning and became her co-workers' patient. "It was totally different being on the other side," explained Kelly, who maintains the patient logbook on the intensive care unit (ICU).

"I never thought my name would be in that book," she said sadly. "I try not to look at it."

Kelly had been running errands for her mother that morning. Driving back, she began feeling nauseous and hot. By the time Kelly reached her mother's home in Fountain City, her right arm had gone numb and her body had become dead cold.

"I was absolutely hysterical because I knew what was happening," she said. "I was having a stroke."

Using her left hand, Kelly called her mother from the driveway on a cellular phone while sitting in the running car. Rushing from the house to Kelly's side, her mother quickly dialed 911.

When the paramedics arrived, Kelly requested to be taken to Parkwest for treatment, where she felt comfortable and confident about the care she would receive. "The doctors and nurses were set up and waiting for me at the door," Kelly said, remembering her fear and confusion as she entered the hospital unable to speak.

Dr. Bert Toney, the emergency department medical director at Parkwest, was prepared to start tPA, a drug Kelly and her co-workers have named the "clot buster." But, fortunately, the clot passed, and Kelly began moving her fingers before the drug was administered.

"I'm very lucky," Kelly said. "I want to praise Dr. Toney."

Kelly spent three days in the hospital, where she experienced extreme fatigue and temporary memory loss because of the transient ischemic attack, or mini stroke.

"It was like I missed a week," she explained, still unable to remember how she arrived at her mother's home that day.

Kelly said the experience was a warning and has altered parts of her lifestyle to decrease the risk of another attack. Smoking while taking birth control pills was a factor that contributed most to Kelly's mini stroke, she said.

While smoking is a big risk, American Heart Association (AHA) research has also identified that obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inactivity are other stroke-causing factors. To reduce risk of stroke, the AHA recommends not smoking, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol down, taking off extra weight, exercising and getting regular checkups.

"Research is important to fight stroke and heart disease," Kelly said, heeding to AHA recommendations and the advice of her doctor. "I appreciate everyone who supports these research efforts," Kelly continued, hoping never to be on the "other side" again.

You can help promote the research into heart disease and stroke by participating in the 1999 American Heart Walk Saturday, Sept. 9 on the U.T. campus. The walk will begin at 9 a.m. For more information call Kristy Dark at the American Heart Association, 588-7646.