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dande10277 
4:47pm Thursday
Hello. I am Diane.
I work with the Southern California chapter of the American Stroke Association to help raise funds and spread the word about the effects of stroke on survivors and their families. I hope one day that this will not be necessary due to advances in medicine that will completely reverse the effects of stroke.
I had a massive stroke at the age of 33 from a blood clot in my right carotid artery. I was initially paralyzed in my left extremities and the prognosis in 1995 was not good. The survival rate for a 33 year old with damage of the magnitude I had was not high. I was too old to benefit from the brain plasticity of children and not old enough for the benefit of extra room inside the skull to allow for brain swelling that we accrue as we age. What a time to be a 'tween' again.
I raised over $6,00.00 and walked my first half marathon in 2001 in celebration of my 40th birthday. It took over 6 hours. This was particularly attractive to me because the doctors originally thought i woud not walk at all. I just wanted to prove to myselfd that I could do it. I guess I'm a little contrary.
I returned to work within 6 months (against long odds) and, in 1999 I started taking night classes in addition to working full time to obtain my master's degree in philosophy. I finished my degree in 2002 and taught night classes for one semester but have since held off teaching because one job is enough.
Last year i found out i had breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and three rounds of chemotherapy. The things I learned in surviving my stroke helped me deal with the 'cancer thing' and I am now cancer free and intend to staty that way.
If there are any other young stroke (pr casmcer) survivors outthere who need a little insight or encouragem,ent. I am always happy to help. There is definitely a lotr of life to be lived, even after the devastating effects of stroke or cancer. The hardest part was onmy family, who are remarkable and alwasys supportive.
Be well.
