We're All Insane - Stroke at 18 Years Old

Episode Date: February 9, 2026

 OFFICIAL MERCH NOW AVAILABLE - code INSANE10 gets you 10% off for a limited time Join We’re All Insane Mailing List for EXCLUSIVE Content + Discounts  Courtney was 18 years old when she had a massive stroke that almost killed her. One minute she was on vacation, the next she was being life-flighted and told something was seriously wrong. Doctors later discovered sepsis and two holes in her heart she never knew existed. Courtney's Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtney_fullmer?igsh=c2w1ZGU2OGRqcWds&utm_source=qr Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneyfullmer?_r=1&_t=ZT-92w7XmzRc33 Youtube: https://youtube.com/@courtney.fullmer?si=3N9SCj82LivAb9og Time Stamps: 00:00:00 – What does it feel like to have a stroke at 18 years old? 00:01:10 – Can you be perfectly healthy and still have a stroke? 00:02:35 – What was life like right before a medical emergency at a young age? 00:04:55 – How grief and emotional stress impact the body physically 00:07:15 – What are the earliest stroke symptoms most people ignore? 00:09:45 – How do you know when something is seriously wrong with your body? 00:12:30 – Why young people dismiss major health warning signs 00:15:45 – Can physical activity or water sports trigger a stroke? 00:17:50 – What does a stroke feel like while it’s happening in real time? 00:19:20 – What happens when one side of your body suddenly stops working? 00:20:40 – What does it feel like when you can’t speak but know what you want to say? 00:22:45 – Can you pass out during a stroke and not realize it? 00:24:30 – How do people recognize stroke symptoms in an emergency? 00:26:45 – Why timing matters so much during a medical emergency 00:28:50 – How lack of cell service almost delayed life-saving care 00:31:30 – What happens when doctors don’t immediately know the cause of a stroke? 00:34:55 – What is LifeFlight and when is it used in emergencies? 00:38:20 – How faith and spirituality can show up during medical trauma 00:41:40 – When do stroke symptoms fully register mentally? 00:44:10 – Why losing the ability to speak is more terrifying than pain 00:46:45 – What it’s like arriving at the ER as an 18-year-old stroke patient 00:51:00 – Can birth control cause blood clots and strokes? 00:53:10 – What is an ischemic stroke vs a hemorrhagic stroke? 00:55:25 – Why stroke medication has a strict time window 00:58:50 – What recovery really looks like after a stroke at a young age 01:02:30 – How long does stroke rehab take for speech and movement? 01:07:45 – What people don’t understand about relearning how to talk and swallow 01:12:40 – How a stroke changes your identity and sense of self 01:18:30 – The mental health aftermath of surviving a stroke young 01:25:10 – What life looks like years after a traumatic medical event 01:31:45 – How long-term rehab reshapes patience, resilience, and hope 01:39:20 – What surviving a stroke teaches you about life and priorities 01:47:30 – What she wants young people to know about listening to their bodies If you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9 or send an email to [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey guys, it's me Devorah. I just dropped an all new bonus episode inside my new subscription channel, We're All Insane Plus. This week's bonus episode is called My Brain was slipping into my spine. Listen now by subscribing to We're All Insane Plus inside your Spotify or Apple Podcasts app or go to we're all insane.com. My name's Courtney and I'm here to talk about my stroke that I had when I was 18 years old. My childhood growing up was I was, I had, you know, three siblings. I had a mom, all, everyone has mom with that, but like I had my parents there. And growing up, I did like a ton of sports. I was very active. I played volleyball, basketball. I did gymnastics. So I, I, I love. I, loved being like doing all those and that it would have me doing them year round where I wasn't

like never not doing something and so I just loved you know sports I loved being like being a part of sports and yeah I and I never knew something was wrong with me until like you know the stroke happened. So prior to that, clean bill of health, nothing. Yeah. Okay. Like I was, I was perfectly healthy. I was, I, every time as I went to the doctor, they're like, oh yeah, you're good. Right. And like, you're fine. And I would be like, oh, okay, well, I'm fine. And they say I'm fine. And I'll just believe them. Yeah, you're not going to question it. Yeah. Especially when you're young. Yes. I'm like, I'm, especially like, I'm not going to like question my, like, my, like, my doctors because obviously I'm like they're the professional on this and I'm not so I'm like oh well

I'm fine so and yeah growing up I just had a normal childhood I had a it was not anything out of the ordinary um I my parents did get divorce which you know it should have happened you know like they just did not like work out they were just just I love them both, but they do not mix well together. It happens. Yeah. So I'm like, I'm like, it's fine. And it's, it's, it's better now.

But when I, in 2019, I graduated from high school. I was just like, you know, starting my life, like going to college and, you know, figuring what I wanted to do in this life. and I, at the time, I didn't know really what I wanted to do. I didn't know, like, what I wanted to do, like, pass, like, for a job or anything. And so I just was, I was just thinking maybe I'll just take a gap here of, like, you know, just figuring my stuff out before I actually go to college. And, or maybe I was like, maybe I can do my generals, get that over with.

and then like figure out what I want to actually do. And so that was like my thought process of it because I was really like I don't know. I don't know. I really have no idea what I want to do. And so I graduated in May, at the end of May of 2019. And earlier that year, my great aunt, passed away, my grandma's sister.

And I was very, very close to her. I, like, I, it was just not, it was somebody that was very close to me. Some people aren't very close with, like, you know, great aunts or great, like. Like, someone that's not, like, immediate family. Yeah, like, you're not even, like, your cousins. It's, like, it's, it's just, but our. family, we were, I was very closer. We would go always go to like, pow together and we'd always go over to their house for Christmas Eve, you know, because they always did like a Christmas

Eve party and they would always host it and we would like all of our family, like even extended, like would go and be there and they just loved Christmas and so did I and so did it and so did we and we would always just go and spend it with them and yeah and um yeah she died that um she passed that uh same year and we in august they were planning on going down to Lake Powell and you know spreading some of her ashes around Lake Powell like yeah because that was her favorite place to be And so in August they were planning on doing that. And I was like, I want to go. I want to be there for all my family because I know that all of like the rest of my family,

like my cousins, aunts, uncles and all of them were all going. My mom and my wasn't going because my sister was actually getting married. Two weeks after that trip or like even after that trip when it was done, it would be like a week until her wedding. So they're just planning on staying back and my brothers had sports that was going on during that time so they didn't like end up going either. So I was just the only one that was able to go with like for my family.

Like I was just the one to be able to, you know, go for us. And I was glad and like I was, able to go because I love like Powell and I love like all the things that you get to do their like boat like a water ski water a wakeboard wake surf and tubing I just loved all of it I loved doing all the things that you get to do down the lake power and like it when you get to spend time with like family too that like is a really special thing for me to, you know, be there with family because my grandma was coming and my grandma and grandpa were coming just like for like a couple days for like the spreading up

her ashes and because obviously that was her sister. And so she came came down. She was, well, she's still old, but she was very old at the time. So being, outside all the time wasn't was no air conditioning wasn't like you know yeah a lot for her and then um but she really wanted to be there for her sister and um i to this day i still very much admire my grandma for that and the day where you know the whole stroke happened i remember waking up and i felt pretty, pretty, like, awful, and it felt good. I just started my monthly cycle, so on monthly cycle. So I was like, maybe it's that.

I'm like, maybe I'm just being dramatic. I just don't know, like, I just. What were the symptoms that you were feeling? I just felt, like, sick to my stomach. I felt, like, not, right. right, if that makes sense. Like, I knew something wasn't right, but I was like, maybe it's, yeah, like me starting my monthly cycle, my, and because I don't have like, I always get very sick when that

happens. So I try to play it off as like, oh, it's just, it's just that. Yeah. And so my grandma and grandpa were going home. that day, planning on going home. And I was just thinking, like, I don't feel good. And I miss home and I miss, like, my family. I'll go down to the dock where we're dropping off my grandparents off to their car

so I can be able to call my mom and see, like, if I should go home or not. because where, like, we parked our houseboat, we don't have any service there. And so we have, when we have to get service, we have to go to the dock to, you know, get service and, you know, talk to everybody. And so I, when my aunt was taking my grandparents down to the dock and letting them, you know,

like helping them and get to where they need go. And so I just asked, oh, like, can I join? Is it possible for me to join? And they're like, yeah, sure, like, you're, you're free to, like, come with us. And so I was like, oh, okay. And so my aunt, my uncle, my, my, my grandparents, and then my cousin Jordan, and then my cousin Scott were old, like much older than me. I was at 18 at the time. They were like almost 24, maybe 25. And then the other one was like 28, 29, something like that. I, I, I, they are very like much, much older than me. Um, so all, all of us collectively like got together and, um, went to go drop them off.

And I just remember, like, feeling like, oh, I don't know. I don't know, like, what I want to do. I don't, if I should go home or, like, if I should stay, like, me, I'll probably get my answer from, you know, calling my mom and seeing what she wants me to do. How much longer were you supposed to stay? I had, like, two more days, and then I would, we would be going home anyway, but I was like, I'm, like, Not feeling good. Yeah, not feeling good, but also I'm like.

very homesick. I'm a person who, like, I get very homesick when, like, my family isn't there. And I'm just like, I'm the same way. Yeah, no, like, I'm like, I love to be home. Yeah, like, I love to be home. I love, like, I love to, like, I love to when my family get to, like, you know, to be there. And I, even though they were my extended family who I got to hang out with. and I love, you know, spending time with them. I still was like, I just miss my family. And so I, we get to the dock and dropping my grandparents off, and I remember calling my mom and be like, hey, she was at, like, Costco.

And I was like, hey, can you talk? She's like, yeah, I'm just with Haley, Haley's my sister, getting stuff for the wedding. It was like, at this time, I was coming up in like a week and a half or something about like two weeks. And they're like, hey, we're like, how are you feeling? How are you doing? And I was like, oh, like, I'm feeling kind of sick. I'm feeling kind of homesick as well.

And I'm like, I don't know, like, what I should do. They should, like, go home or, like, not go home. And because I only have two more days left and she's like, my mom was like, yeah, you should stay. You should, you know, spend time with like your, the rest of the family because we don't let get together that often at that time. Hi, guys. Just a reminder that my merch is live and you can use code Insane 10 for 10% off your order. All you have to do is go to we're all insane.com.

So she was like, yeah, like just be there for our family and you only have two. more days left and you can just come home. But if you, if the sickness continues, then obviously you can come home. Like, I don't want to like push you, but I think, I think you only have two more days left and you might feel better by, you know, like, the closest end of the day, like, you never know. And so I just thought like, yeah, like, I only have two more days and I love being at Lake Powell and I, like, get to do all the things.

And so I just thought, you know, like, I can just tough it out. And at this time, we was, like, 10 a.m. in the morning, like, like, something like that, like 10, 11 a.m. and I was like, yeah, like, I'll just stay. And so we drop off my grandparents. And at that time, we, it was just my, me. my aunt, my uncle, my aunt, my mom's sister, my uncle and my two cousins, Jordan and Scott. And we were just thinking, oh, like, what should we do? Should you like, you know, two?

Should you like wake surf? Like, what should we do? And we heard that the other boat that had some of my other family on it that were using that boat to wake surf. And so we're like, oh, like, we should be the tubing boat. So if, like, anyone wants the tube, they can, like, leave off of that boat to come over here. If you want to wake surf, they can, you can go on to that, like, other boat. And we can just switch off whichever, like, one you want to do.

And so we're just thinking, oh, yeah, we can do that. And, like, I'm, like, we're down for tubing. And I remember thinking, like, I'll be tubing with people. like people who were much older than me, like they're boys and they like to go fast. And I was like, I like to go fast too. And so I was like, I'd tell my aunt and uncle, I was just like, you don't have to like, you know, slow down just for me. I like to, you know.

I can keep up. Yeah, I can keep up with them. Like, you don't have to worry about me and I'll be fine. and they're just like, okay, like, we won't do that. Like, we will just, you know, go. And then if it's not too much for you, you can just say, like, you know, don't do that. You can, like, you know, slow it down. And so I was like, okay.

And so we start, you know, getting the tube out and then you setting it up. And we start, you know, starting to tube. And then I remember we were going. And we had this, like, like a wipe, like a pretty big wipeout and where we're like all, like, laughing, you know, like, wow, that was like so crazy. Like, I was just so insane. Like, that's just what we were thinking. And we were like, oh, that was so fun, even though we wiped out.

But, you know, it was still fun to me. And so, and we had two tubes. We, like, one had my cousin Jordan on it, and then one of them had me and my cousin Scott on it, and then we would just jump from tube to tube, like, going, you know, like. Doing your thing. Yeah, doing our thing, like, we just, you know, playing around. And, yeah, but, like, that's what we were doing. And I remember, like, our second time after our big wipeout, we start going.

weren't going very fast at all. We were just like starting to go and, you know, getting, you know, started. And so I remember, like, the beginning, I just remember, like, I feeling very, very weird. Like, not right at all. I just remember, like, looking around and being like, this doesn't feel right. This doesn't feel real.

Like, I don't know what. what's happening, I don't know what's going on, but I don't wanna like worry my family. So I try to like not tell them because I was like, oh, like maybe it'll pass, like maybe it'll just, yeah, maybe it'll just figure itself out. And so I just like, you know, we're just like feeling, yeah, not right.

I felt like all the energy was being drained, drained from my body, like super fast. And I just remember, like, it got so hard to, like, stay awake. And I was, I just was, I don't even remember if my cousin, like, was asking me if I was like, okay, I was just so, I don't know even know at that point, like, what was happening. and I know that we were going very fast and then I just remember my right arm stopped working and so it let go of the tube

and so like and then I like crashed into my cousin Scott and then I like flew off of the tube which was like very unlike me because we weren't going like fast at all we weren't doing like had no bumps we weren't doing anything but like I just fell off So you literally had the stroke while tubing.

Yeah. Yeah. Like I, I got, I wiped out. I, like, landed into the water. Thankfully, I had a life jacket on, so I was able to stay afloat because if I, if I didn't have the life jacket on, I don't know if I would have been able to, I probably would have sank because I had no idea what was, I had no idea. And like I probably would have like, you know, at that point, I was just like so close to like passing out. I don't even know what what would happen. Yeah.

And yeah, thankfully I had the life jacket and they came around my aunt and uncle and they like came and pick, like we're trying to like come pick me up. Like, are you okay? Like you wiped out and you're going very fast. Like are you okay? And I tried to say yes, like, I'm okay and, like, speak to them. Like, didn't know that I'm okay, but I couldn't. I couldn't say anything. I try to get words out, but I physically could not.

Yeah. I knew what I want to say, but I couldn't. Right. Like, I felt like. Did you feel like your whole body was paralyzed, basically, or was it just the right side? I felt like everything was like at that point was like shutting down. And so I was, I tried to, you know, say it, but like I couldn't. And so I just shook my head and like to say, yeah, I'm fine.

And so I just shook my head, yes. And they're just like, no, we're going to need a verbal answer for like, we need to know that you're okay. And I, but I couldn't, I couldn't get any words out. So I just, I just said, I shook my head. And I, I couldn't say yes. I couldn't say, like, no, I couldn't say anything. And that's when my aunt was like, yeah, like, maybe we'll, you know, get back on the tube and then we'll pull you and then we can, like, yeah, assess you

and, like, let you take a breather and, like, that's just, like, what we're planning on doing. We were like, let's just, let's just take a break. And so, uh, I tried to get back on the tube from the water, but I couldn't because, like, everything was like shutting down. So my, my cousin Scott had to lift me back on the tube. And when I got back on the tube, like, I just remember, like, at that time, I was like, yeah, like, I need to lay down.

I knew lay down. So I was like laying on the tube. and they were like pulling us in and I just I just remember like after that nothing like I passed out like when they were pulling us in because I didn't it was just a point I was like no like everything was like gone like I felt like everything I feel scared I yeah I feel like I felt like I felt scared because I didn't know what was happening and didn't know I've never felt this ever. And so I was like, am I dying or am I not or am I just like having like a weird episode? Like what's happening? And I, that's when I like passed out. And I just remember waking to my

uncle driving super fast on the water. And waking to my other uncle that was on the other boat, they went and picked him up when I was, you know, out. And I was passed out and they went to go pick him up because they didn't know what was happening with me. And so they wanted, you know, help from him as well. Yeah. And he is my.

mom's brother. So they just wanted some extra hands and you know, like, because they, when I was passed out, they were trying to like, you know, revive me and they saw, you know, the droop

started to happen, you know, on that one side of my body. And my aunt knew what was happening, but she didn't know for sure because she's not a doctor or anything, but she was like, oh no, this is like serious. She's like, out.

And we, because at the first, like, at the beginning, they're like, oh, maybe she just has a concussion. Like, maybe it's up. But then they saw the droop started to happen and they're like, no. And my aunt was thinking to herself. Like, oh, this is like serious. So they're like, we got to get to the dock and get her some help. We had to call an ambulance. We got to, you know, we have to do this.

We have to call our mom. and like I have to call my sister and we have to do all this and so I was like at that point they were just getting water from the lake and dumping it on me to try to like you know awake me and because I was still out and then by doing that it

I did like like that did wake me because I just remember them dumping water and I was just like no I just remember and they're like oh hey, we need you to stay awake. Like, are you okay? Like, we need to just, like, to stay awake. We can't have you going back. Like, you can't have having you pass out again on us.

And it was so hard for me to stay awake. It would, I just, I, again, I felt like all the energy was being drained out. Like, still. And I was like, I can't like it. There's no way that I'm going to be able to. to stay awake. And I just remember my cousin Scott, he was like holding me

and while we're on the boat and then they just continued to dump water on me. And so I felt like that. Also had like a, that helped me stay awake because having cold water dumped on you. I don't know.

No prevent sleep. Yeah. Yeah. Prevent it. They definitely. prevents it for me and I remember at that time if you know anything about like Powell it was like 12 1 p.m. and at that time like the waters are just so crazy because everyone's out doing stuff there's like out like you know tubing like you know like getting their

houseboat like taking it in taking it out they don't like they're all like people were like always up in doing something so the waters are always so crazy during that time but i remember it being just so like smooth and glass-like and uh like it was it was just so crazy how because if it's you know choppy and like crazy as it would have been during that time would have been much harder for my uncle to drive fast so they can get me to, you know, help. Yeah, get me help. And but it was just, yeah, like, it was like last, it was, it was so clear and smooth and they were able to drive, like, much faster than they thought they would.

And I, for one, thought that was a miracle and in its own. Right. And then my aunt, she was trying to find service, but, you know, if you know anything about like, the only places that you can get service are dogs. Okay. And that, from where we were, that was not the case at all. We were not close to a dock at all. And I just remember my aunt trying to find service.

And then she was just like, oh, yeah, I got. I know I'm not going to get service, but I'm going to check to see if, like, God is out there, you know, and, like, maybe they'll give a service. I don't know. Another year goal happened. Yeah. And then, well, for whatever reason, she was able to get service, like, two or three bars were usually, like, every, like, 99.9% of the time there's no service at all. and she got service and that was when they were driving you on the boat yeah and to to get me to the dock and get service and she was able to get service before then and so she was like oh my gosh and so she was able to call an ambulance for me so um she was able to call that and um and then she was able to call my mom who was four hours away, four or five hours away. And then from what my mom was telling me, she just remembers my aunt being, you know,

hysterical, being like you, like, not hysterical, but like, acting scared and being like, you need to get down here now. And I don't know what's happening with Courtney. she may have had a concussion, but she knew what was happening. But with me and she knew it wasn't a concussion, but she didn't know. Like she just like was just. I feel like too, it's like a big thing to be like, oh, she's having a stroke without actually knowing. It's like you can, you know, you can think it, but not be sure.

Yes. And like she's, again, she's not a doctor, her family, like her not. Yeah. And it's hard because you were doing. an activity. So it's like naturally you'd think, oh, maybe something happened during that. Yeah. And like I crashed into my cousin and then like flew off and they're just like maybe

they hit heads or, you know. Yeah, something. Something like that. And so I just, my mom was just telling me that she called me, like called her and she said, you need to get down here now. And she's just like, where, where? And they're like, well, I, like, they were getting her in ambulance right now. I don't know where they're going to take her, but I, yeah, I just need you to just start heading here now.

And so my mom hopped in her car, you know, as fast as she could, you know, getting stuff from home. And then, like, hopped in her car and it was starting to drive down to Lake Powell because she really didn't know what was happening if I was going to stay there, if I was going to, you know, either the closest hospitals were in either Nevada. or Arizona. I'm Anna Garcia, host of True Crime News, the podcast. Every week we bring you in-depth coverage on cases making headlines

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Listen to True Crime News available now wherever you get your podcast. or St. George. Yeah, Arizona or St. George. So she was like, I'm just going to head to Lake Powell and tell I hear something different. And we got to the dock, I remember, and there was nobody there. Nobody there. And they're just like, not even the ambulance wasn't, the ambulance wasn't there yet.

and they're just like, we need to find somebody. We need to find somebody. And the only, they found somebody. And there was the only two people on the dock. And they're like, we need, like, your help. Like my, something's happened to our niece and we need your help. And they came and, you know, starting assessing me. And they're like, oh, like, do you know, do you?

you know, like any medical stuff? And they're like, oh, like, they were a father and a daughter. And they both were, the father was a doctor. Wow. And the daughter was a nurse. That's crazy. Yeah. And so they were able to, like, you know, come and test me and, you know,

like do all these things, you know, to, like, try to figure out, like, what was happening. And then they're like, yeah. you need to get an ambulance like a life light out here like now ambulance here you need to go light out here she needs to she's having a stroke and that my they knew yeah and the and my my my my I am remembered was just like I knew it like I knew it and like I wasn't going crazy I wasn't going crazy but like they she needs to get to a hospital for them to confirm what's happening, but she looks like she's having a stroke.

And so she's like, oh, my gosh, oh, like, we need to get like an ambulance out here. And then a couple minutes go by and the ambulance arrived. And they got me into the ambulance. And I just remember feeling like the energy wasn't being drained out of my body, but I still wasn't able to talk. Yeah. And so I was like, I just remember getting into the ambulance. I couldn't walk or anything so they had to like, you know, put me on a stretcher and, you know, like, put me in and then I actually, like, start assessing me.

I get into the ambulance. I start doing all these things. Like, oh, what's your name? Like, where are you from? Yeah. only could shake my head yes or no. But at this time, like, I knew that all the energy wasn't being drowned out of my body. So I'm like, oh, I'm fine.

I'm fine now. Like, I'm fine. I don't need, like, all this. I feel like this all is, like, crazy. But I didn't stroke me wasn't being like all, like, wasn't all in the head, like right in the head because, like, I was, like, thinking, I couldn't talk. and I'm like, I know that, like, shouldn't have been, like, on normal thing for me.

So I'm like, maybe you probably did. Yeah, you need people there. Like, you need all that because you can't talk. And this whole thing just happened to you, and you still can't talk and you don't know, like, really what's going on. And I couldn't really, like, move my right side, my right arm, like my right leg. I can move it a little bit, but like not as much as you would think.

And so I don't know. Just at the time, I was like, oh, I'm fine, and I don't need all this. Like, it's, I'm fine. And then they, after they were done assessing me, they're like, yeah, we're going to get life light out here. She needs to get to hospital. And, yeah, and then they're like, do you know where, like, you're sending her, and they're like, they're probably going to send her to St. George

Regional. It's a hospital down in St. George, Utah. And they were just thinking, my family's from Utah. I were from Utah, so, like, they're going to be the closest hospital in St. George, Utah. So they're probably going to be sending her there. And they're like, okay, so my aunt called my mom, and they're like, they're going to be sending her to St. Georgia Regional, the lifelighting her to the hospital. And so that's where you need to go. And my mom was like, oh, my gosh, like, that's so far away. Like, I'm going to be driving for four

hours. Like, she's going to get there and have nobody at the hospital because my uncle was, who was with me at Lake Powell, like, tried to ask the lifel if he could have come with me because I remember at the time he promised me, like, while everything was happening, not, like, to not, like, leave my side and not, you know, he would, you know, do everything in his power to not leave me. And they just were, like, no, it's, like, already too full with everybody on board, like, all, like, the paramedics on flight. And it's just, it's not going to go. It's not going to work. And how long was the flight to the hospital? It was like an hour, I feel like. Jeez, okay.

So it was far. Yeah. And like, I don't like, maybe 45 minutes. It was very fuzzy to me. Like, I don't know, but I just remember it not being like a super quick flight. I really don't remember how long it was. But I'm thinking maybe 30 minutes to like 45, 30 minutes. 45 minutes, something around there.

So my mom had the bright idea to call my aunt, her sister, who lives in Vegas. And Vegas from St. George is like an hour and a half. And St. George, where I live, Syracuse, is like four hours. And so she had the right idea to call her, her sister. and to get on the phone and be like, you, like, something's happened to Courtney, you need to, like, head there right now. She needs somebody there with her while everything is going on, like, while everything is happening.

And so my aunt drops everything and, you know, starts heading to St. George. And I just remember being, like, my uncle, he was trying to give me a blessing. and he was asking if anybody if anybody out there was, like holds the priesthood that could help him give me a blessing for my time and need, you know, to be able to feel comfort, fill peace.

And holding the priesthood means that you, like, are given the, like, the erroneic priesthood, the Melchizedic priesthood. In this case, I think it's the Melchizedic priesthood. because of the priesthood that you need to, like, need to hold to be able to help give me a blessing. And so that's, like, the highest, you know, on, like, highest thing that a person can hold in our religion. And it's, it's not something that you can get, like, very easily. It's something you have to, like, you know, continue to work for. And my, my, my, two of my, my, my, two of my, my, my, my,

my cousins at the time, my Jordan Scott didn't hold the priesthood at that time, so they weren't able to help give me a blessing, but when he asked if there was anyone out there, and one of the lifelike paramedics was like, I hold the priesthood, I can help you give you a blessing. So they both gave me a blessing while I was on the stretcher. And before I got into the helicopter and the lifelight, and so I just remember him, he just telling me, I can't go with you, I can't, I know I promised to be with you. But I just know that they need to get you somewhere safe

and we need to get you help and that's what they're gonna do. Like, I, there's no room for me and I, I bet your, your mom's on her way. I, I will, you know, because we still had everything on the boat. I saw all my stuff on the boat, like all my, my suitcase on, like everyone's suitcase, because there's so many people, like, so many, we, like, food, you know, suitcases like pillows, like we had so much stuff on the boat

that were, they had to go clean the houseboat off and then do all those things so they, they couldn't just like leave it. Yeah. You know, leave it out where they were. So they're like, we have to go take care of this and then we can, after that,

then we can, we'll come see you. And I just remember being like, okay. And then I just remember getting into the life light. and looking out like on the mountains and remember, like thinking, still, I'm fine. I'm fine. I don't need all this. I'm like I'm, I don't feel like I'm going to pass out anymore. I don't feel like anything.

Still couldn't talk. Still couldn't move my right leg or right arm. But I was thinking in my head, yeah, I'm fine. And I don't know why I thought like, I'm fine. I just was crazy back then. I don't know. I don't know, but still was like thinking, I just, they're all that, like, they're working on me.

I'm like, I don't need all this. Yeah. And then I remember, like, actually, like, focusing, like, on my right leg and arm, like, I was like, oh, I can't actually move my right arm. This is one, like, the first time I was noticing, like, oh, I can't actually, like, move it. I, this is so weird. Like, I'm not able to move it.

Move these both, of both extremities that I have, and I've always been able to use. I'm like, this is, this is not right. And I'm like, this is, like, what's happening? And then a couple of months go by, and then I just remember moving my right foot and, like, just a tad bit. And I just remember, that's when everything like clicked in my head.

I was like, oh, like I'm not fine. Like, I'm in, like, I'm in a life light right now. I'm getting worked on by these nurses, these doctors, these paramedics. Like, like, I'm not right. Like, what I, what just happened? And that's when I, like, started, like, to freak out. Yeah, like, panic. And I just remember, like, crying.

and I started to cry and like freak out and like be like what what's like happened in me and that at that moment like after I realized that it could like everything clicked that's when I was able to start talking but not it wasn't coherent at all okay and so I was trying to like talk but it wasn't like people weren't understanding what it was saying and they they were just bless our hearts, but they were trying so hard to, like, decipher what I was trying to say, but I, I'm, like, during that moment, I wasn't, I was, you know, trying to talk, but I couldn't, and I had a droop, and it, it just was not coming, like, coming out,

and they're like, oh, we'll get you to help, we're getting you to help. And they were just trying to calm me down. Yeah. And I just was, I, I was just not having it, because I was like, I, at this very moment, I was like, why was I wasn't able to talk until now? Like, why is not what the understanding me? Why, like, what, I was just very, like, it's frustrating.

Yeah, very frustrating. Because I was trying to, like, talk and, you know, say stuff, and they weren't understanding what I was trying to say, and I was, it's very frustrating whenever that happens because if like, you're speaking another language to somebody. Yeah.

And they're just like, huh? And you're just like, like, what, what am I? Yeah. I can't, like, you can't like communicate with anybody. So, oh yeah, freaking out. Yeah, I just remember getting to the hospital and I just remember then like, rolling me into saying, oh, I just remember saying, like, an 18-year-old, you know, had like an

accident, like, you know, and they rolled me to the ER. They were assessing me in the ER, and I remember this one nurse was, you know, caring for me so much. And I, you know, I just, I just felt like she, I had a maternal wave go over her because I felt like, no, this isn't any kind of nurse. She was actually scared for me and, like, you know, wanted to be there for me because, again, I got there all alone. Yeah. And so. You didn't know what was happening. No. And she didn't know who I was, but she, her maternal instincts got kicked in and she was just, Being my mother, when my mother wasn't there. And they were still assessing me.

And then I remember calling my, getting my phone, like, getting my, like, my dad on the phone on FaceTime. And I don't remember who called them. Yeah. I don't know who, like, did all that. But I was just, I remember seeing, and I'm like, I start, like, again, sorry to freak out. And I was like, like, I don't. don't know what's happening, I don't know, like, what's going on. And he just was like, oh, like, something really wrong happened to, like, something has

happened that is not good. So, yeah, I just remember talking to him for a little bit, like, trying to, you know, talk to him, at least, even though, like, my words weren't coherent and, you know, I knew what I wanted to say, but I couldn't get the words out. And that was very, that in itself was very, very frustrating. Because when you knew, when you know what you want to say, but you can't physically get the words out and like say, like say sentences. It's like your body's going against itself.

Yeah. And it's like, I knew how to do this like an hour ago and I can't do this. like it's so weird to not be able to do this. It's scary. Yeah. Like it's nothing that I've ever like experience. Yeah. And I, I just remember being so fresh I did that that because I couldn't get any words out.

And well, I couldn't, I could get words out, but I couldn't get, like, it wasn't coherent and you couldn't understand what I was trying to say. and so I can speak sentences because it like was all jumbled in my head and I was like I don't know how to like speak sentences so like I would only say one word if I want to say something and so like I had or like even the right I had a right with my left hand because I'm a I'm a righty but like this hand was not like this arm wasn't working so I had to like right with my left right words what I was like actually like trying to say So I remember being in the E-R for like 30 minutes at that time. And then my aunt who lived in Vegas came and I would, she was there.

And I just was, I just remember being like, oh my gosh, like, I have, I have somebody now. Like I have somebody there that, you know, I know. And I just remember her being there and they're just saying, oh, we're going to take your for CT, we're gonna take care for an MRI, we gotta figure out like what's going on. We have to confirm like, what's going on. And so they got me to a CT, that we did the CT, and then got me to the MRI and I just remember being

in the MRI machine and it's super loud. If you've ever gotten one, it's like very loud. And like at that time I was very scared. of like, you know, the situation and that just made it like an at the all-time high because you're in this like tube. Yeah. Tube that like goes around like is very, very loud

and it's not a quick like procedure. Like it takes a bit. And so I just remember like crying and then having them like, you know, tell me, oh like you, we need you to calm down but I was like trying to like calm down But then I wasn't, you know, it was just a lot. And so they had to, like, do things, like, over and over again

because I still was, like, you know, freaking out. And so they had to, like, do things, like, over and over again. And then once they were done, I remember, like, going out of the MRI, and then that's when I first saw my mom, she was there. And I, again, I just started freaking out and, like, crying. And then, like, I don't know what's happening. And then my mom just saw the group and she was just like, oh, my gosh. I don't, oh my gosh.

Like, what? Like, what's happening? And she just saw, like, how I can talk. I can talk, like, coherently. Like, she was like, what? Like, she was just, I were just talking on the phone. Yeah. earlier today.

Like in, like what happened? Yeah, what happened? And they get me to an ICU room. And I just remember doctors, like nurses, like so many of them filling my room. Yeah. And also because you were so young, they probably were like, what the heck? Yeah. And they were like, is she on birth control?

Is she on birth control? And then she's like, no, she's not on birth control. And apparently that can cause, birth control can cause clots that can, you know, travel up to the brain and you can have a stroke from, you know, from birth control. And so, but then they're, so that's why they were asking, is she on birth control?

And my mom's like, no. She's not. And so they were just thinking, oh, like, then what happened? Like, why did she have the stroke? But, yeah, back to all this, all the doctors, the nurses, the, so many people, like, just filling my room all at once. And they just sat, you know, how to try to sit my mom down. And they're like, hey, like, can me, like, talk outside?

And so they took my mom outside, and that's when they said, we, you know, we looked at the MRI, we looked at the CT, and it looks like she had a stroke. And the clot, she had an ischemic stroke, which means that what it was a blood clot that cut off the brain's blood supply. or hemorrhagic that you can have. You can also have a hemorrhagic stroke that means the brain is bleeding. But it was just a clot went up to my brain. So do they know what caused the clot?

Yeah. Okay. Well, at the time, no. Okay. Because they just knew it was from a clot. Yeah. Okay. They just knew that a clot was in my brain.

and that's, you know, ultimately what happened. And my mom just was just so, like, in shock. Like, she just told me, like, she just fell to her knees. Like, like, she couldn't believe what she was hearing, what they were telling her. And they were asking, like, how did she have the stroke? And they're just more like, we don't know. No, to me. Because we, why we asked that she was on birth control is because birth control, is because

but birth control can cause clots and that can travel up to the brain. And she's not in birth control, so we're just, we're, like, why did she have one? So they're like, we'll do everything we can and to figure out, like, what, like, why she had the shock.

And I, if you get to the hospital in time, like, I think, six hours after, like, like before six hours is like the max you can get this medication that you like it's called TPA or TKA or something like that you can take and it can reverse all the the defects that wow that stroke caused and but my timeline since I had to be you know you know you know driven by boat, looked at and assessed, yeah, like assessed at like the, at Lake Powell.

And again, also assessed and looked at Lake Powell and then being flown and then looking, look, being looked at and then assessing the ER and then then going to do all these tests. And then then at that time, I was past the six hour mark. so I wasn't able to get that medication that could reverse all these defects. I was, I was, it was too late. And they were just saying like, it was past that mark and we, like, we don't know exactly

when she started the stroke, so like we can't get the medication to her. And my mom was still like in shock and, you know, she didn't know how, like, how to, like, handle it. And my dad and my, um, my stepdad were driving down separately from, because my mom left when she found out, like, what was happening. And she left before, like, my, she said that if it's nothing, I don't want you to come if it's nothing, but if it's something that I'll give you a call and then I'll give, you know,

her dad a call as well. So she called my stepdad and my dad and saying, like, you need to get down here. And my stepdad and my dad weren't like all on the best of terms because, you know, it's like when they did get the horse and they just, like, it's weird. And like, it's just, you know, they, he didn't, my dad didn't like, my stepdad, because, you know, it's just. how it goes. And I just, I, I just remember them telling me that, like, they just got into the car, started driving, and then, like, they started to talk and then I actually, like, cry and, you know, having to heart to heart, because, you know, about, like, this whole situation was, like, so much for both of them, because I've had my, my stepdad in my life since I was 11.

So at that time, eight years. And I've had my dad in my life forever. So like both of them, like I just loved dearly so much. And so like it was just hard for them to like to hear what was like actually going on. And they were able to like drive together and have no issues whatsoever. And so that in itself I feel like was a miracle, you know. having them just being like so softened that they're like their heart enough to like come together and be like I like we will get through this together and I just remember that night like after my

stroke happened and like I was there and my dad and my stepdad got there and I just all I wanted you know, was water. I wanted water so bad and I was trying to say like water, like, because I couldn't say like I want water. I didn't know how to speak sentences, so I had to say water. I had to try to say water. Like there's like videos of me because a nurse told my mom to document everything from now and everything from now until.

you know, a couple years go by because so I could look back and see my progress and see how far I've come because obviously I'm going to have to like go through rehab and I'm going to have to go through like. So when you have a stroke, it completely is resetting like everything. Yeah. I had to relearn how to talk, eat, swallow, a walk. I couldn't like, I really couldn't, I couldn't, I couldn't even walk. How long did it take you to relearn those things? Like, to the point where I was able to be, like, on my own, like, don't need nobody in, like, two years.

And it took me, like, having to do rehab for, like, those two years, like, nonstop. Because I did rehab in the hospital, like, inpatient rehab for, like, three, like, three times so occupational speech and physical therapy all three each one one hour a day and so that would be three hours each day and so they would just come to my room and they're like all right that's your time to do your rehab and so I had like I had to do that every day no break breaks. And yeah, they're just saying, like, we ought to get her, like, after she's, that, after she's, like, able to get out of the ICU, we need to transfer her to, like, a rehab center, like a neurorehab center. So she could do inpatient rehab. And my mom, like, it was, like,

like, okay, I'll try to, like, do some research and, like, inpatient rehabs, inpatient hospital rehabs, neuro-reabs that are close by where we live. And so she was just doing that, doing her research. But yeah, I was that first night, I just remember, like, wanting water so bad, wanting water so bad. And I was finally able to get the word out, like, water. And then they were able to get me some water, but then I, like, started to, like, cough it up. You couldn't swallow? We couldn't swallow. And that's when they realized my swallowing ability was also taken.

And so I had to get a feeding tube because they needed to get like, you know, nutrients like water in me. But I couldn't swallow so they had to put a feeding tube in. And I was, the feeding tube was in for like a week, week and a half. And because until like I had to do rehab to, you know, learn how to, for those muscles to, you know, start to work. And I had to do like all these things like blowing into like a, like this thing. Like I don't even know what it was called, but like this rehab thing and I had to blow into it. And then I had to like swallow like my spit, like trying to learn how to like,

actually like using those muscles and yeah I was just trying to drink the water and I couldn't and I was like I'm so upset but then I remember just thinking I just I want to walk like that first night I was like I just want to walk I want to like prove to anybody like everybody like I could walk I can like yeah and probably for yourself too yeah at that point it's like I just want to get out of here yes I just want to like you know walk and then so that they were like oh like oh like okay we can try to like get you to walk and so i my mom just said to me like she just remembers me ripping the cords out like out from the wall that was connecting me to all these stuff like my ivy is like my my heart monitor my like all i ripped everything out

and so then they got me a walker and then i just started to walk and you know i was you know, emotional at the time because, again, I wasn't the same. I couldn't walk the same. It was very hard for me to walk. And I was using a walk or two. And I was, I had like two CNAs with me by my side, you know, helping me to walk. And I just remember being like, I'm like, what, what? Like, I don't understand like why. Like, why? What, what, what, what, what, what's happening like why can i walk normally either like like everything's not right like everything has just been it has changed everything yeah in a second yeah in a second and it's just what like became so like it like became too much for me and so like that's when i started to cry and like again i just just

a lot for me. And, yeah, I just started to walk, and I have a video of me trying to walk and all that. It's, you know, me, like, crying because I can't walk normally. And it was, yeah, it was too much for me, too much for me to handle. I was 18, and I thought that I had my whole life ahead of me.

and now I'm childlike again or how to learn, we learn how to walk, talk, eat, like everything. And I didn't know how to handle that at the time because I'm like, again, I was,

even though I was 18, I'm just a kid. I was barely 18, like two months of me being 18. And I was like, I'm, even though I'm, considered an adult, I'm not an adult.

There's no way that like you, there's no, I still, I'm 24 now. I'm like, I'm not, I'm not an adult. I'm still, I'm a 24 year old teenager. I'm like, I, like, I'm still. There's always so much to learn. Mm-hmm. Exactly. So I'm like, I'll probably be married and have kids where I'll probably be like,

I'm not, I'm no adult. I'm like, I'll probably, I don't even know when I'll get to that point where I'm like, yeah, I'm an adult. but and I, yeah, at that time I definitely did, did not feel that I was an adult at all. And they, you know, got me back to my room and I was able to rest, but then they were just trying to figure out

why I had the stroke in the first place. Because usually people who have this kind of stroke where a blood clot goes through the brain and cuts off the blood supply, it's usually an older person like an elderly, person that has a stroke. You only hear people who are older have these types of strokes. Because usually this doesn't happen very often,

but people who are my age or younger that have strokes, it's usually from the brain bleeding. Okay. And but I had the clot. So they didn't know. They're like, why? Like, why, like, she's not on birth control? She, like, why she, like, had this, you know, why?

They're trying to figure it out. And, you know, a couple of days go by, and I started, my brain started to swell. And it almost got to a point where my brain was starting to swell so much that they were, they almost took out a piece of my skull to let my brain continue to swell but to have like room for it to you know continue to swell because that you know at that point like I like with when my brain started as well I lost all like ability to move like my I was able to move like a like a little bit of my right, a little, like, bright leg, a little bit of my, like, right. But when my brain started to swell, that's when I lost everything.

It couldn't move it. I couldn't move it at all. Like, my right side was paralyzed. And I'm sure that was even scarier, too, because then you're like, I'm here, I'm supposed to be getting better. Yeah. And then it feels like you're digressing or, like, getting worse. Even worse.

And so I'm like, what? I'm losing, like, everything. And then they're just, like, doctors were there trying to assess me. And then a nurse that was down in the ER, I got my mom's number and was like, you know, because she had that maternity instincting, like, if you, like, you need anything, you can text me. Like, you can call me with anything that you need.

And also, like, I had this stepmom and that was a nurse. And so my mom, like, was, you know, friends with her as well. And so she, like, got on the phone with her and she said that if she starts losing all ability from her brain starting to swell, there's a medication that they can give her to, you know, not like, to have it, you know, calm down and like lose all of her ability. Yeah. And then so they weren't giving this medication, but I've like lost everything. And but we were just so confused.

And my mom, I was talking to the doctor and it was like, why aren't you giving her this medication? Like, why? She's like, well, she's not really like losing any ability, really. And she's like, yeah, she is. she was able to move her right arm and leg and now she isn't like she's lost everything so you give her that her give her that medication now so and they gave me that medication and they calmed everything down and my brain started to you know to unswell or like you know yeah go down yeah go down and so they didn't have to take out a piece of my school to you know let it wow like

that's crazy yeah that they had that you guys had to tell them yeah yeah Yeah, exactly. And so they're like, yeah, like she hasn't lost any ability, so it's fine. But my mom was like, yeah. Right. She did. So we, like, I was, like, you know, thankfully that I got that medication. So they were trying to figure it out since, you know, birth control was out of the picture.

They're like, we just need to, like, do some more tests and, like, trying to figure out, like, why she had this type of stroke. And then, like, the next day, that's when I started to run a fever and really high fever. And they're, like the doctors were thinking, she has an infection somewhere. She has an infection somewhere, but we don't know where it's coming from. We have to figure this out, like, they did some, like, tests or whatever. I'm like, yeah, like, she's septic. she's septic and that means like I have an infection in my blood

and some like some of like it can be fatal subsist can be fatal sometimes and so they're like we need to figure out like where this infection like where it's happening and so we can figure this out like and you know she doesn't this doesn't end up fatal

and so they were like discussing and they're like oh like let's just like look like closer at like her heart like let's just look closely at that and like see maybe if that's like where the infection is happening or coming from and so they they did like this scope and where they put me to sleep and then um they put this camera down my uh my throat and so they could like fully like have a closer look at my heart and because they didn't ultrasound but then like they said it was fine but then they're like we need like actually like look at it like closer like not just an ultrasound we need to look at it closer and so um after that procedure you know happened where they look closely at my heart with this whole camera down my throat um that's when

they found out that i had um two whole whole whole whole thing that's when they found out that i had um two whole in my heart that I had never known about, never know about. And they were saying, yeah, she has two holes in their heart, one, which is a PFO, what's they call it? It's called a PFO, which essentially everyone has, either closes or it doesn't when they take their first breath of life when they're born, either closes or it doesn't, and you can have like a full life with no complications if it doesn't close. It was just the problem was that the other big hole in my heart,

it was an ESD, that was the problem. And they were like right next to each other too. And that's when they're like, yeah, this is probably where I actually had the stroke because blood clot was traveling through her body and then went through both those holes and then went straight up through your brain. Okay.

And so, like, this is probably, like, probably the cause of the stroke. And if we wouldn't have found these holes, she would have been in heart filler and dropped dead by the time she was, like, 35, 30. So, like, it's crazy. Yeah. Like, I know this is, like, a weird thing to say, but, like, they were just saying that. It was like a bluffing in the eyes. a blessing in the size. Yeah.

And so we were like, oh, awesome. Like, we're not awesome that she has these holes, but like thankfully we found like the reason why she had this joke. And thankfully, we were able to, you know, fix the problem. So did you have to get surgery on your heart? I did. So like after a month, after I got out of the hospital, I got, I had a half heart surgery and they closed both holes or just one?

Both. They closed it because they were able to put the device because there's a device in my heart now but they were able to close both of them and not like, they were able to close both of them at the same time with closing. How was that surgery? It was like, I remember like them. putting me to sleep, but like, I remember not fully being asleep. I, like, it was weird.

It was, like, in and out and out, but I didn't feel anything, but, like, I still was, like, I'm awake. And it's, like, weird feeling when, like, you, like. You had to recover from the stroke and heart surgery. Yeah. At the same time. Yeah. Stroke, heart surgery, and, like, being septic.

And so they had to put me on like major, major antibiotics. So that like I had that were giving to me in this and this pick line. A pick line is like essentially like a bit like a tube that goes straight to your heart and administers the antibiotics. but it's like this tube that goes from my arm and goes all the way to like my heart and it's like essentially like a not like a permanent ivy but like because you can take it out but like you don't have to like keep you know yeah you know it's just there and so I had that I had to get that procedure so I was able to you know have that pick line as well

because that is, it's an easy procedure, but like it's still a procedure. And so, like, I had that. And, like, I had to recover from being septic and having all these antibiotics, like, put into my body. And that's when, like, I remember being neuro rehab. And from all these antibiotics, like, put in my body, it was killing the, like, the bad bacteria, but also the good bacteria in my body. It was killing everything. And so what happens is,

is like the longer you stay at the hospital, the more likely that you're going to get sick. So I got sick again in the hospital because, again, the antibiotics was just killing everything. Yeah. And so, like, ultimately the bad in the hospital took over. And that's where I got C-DIF. SEDAF is

it's like an intestinal intestinal am I saying that right? Intestinal? Yeah intestinal disease Yeah and it just

like causes you to like feel pain in your your intestines and like go to the bathroom constantly and like I remember like

going to the bathroom every two minutes because I every two minutes I couldn't sleep because I had I had to go to the bathroom like every two minutes like every time that I would come back into my bed like walking with my ivy like on an ivy pole getting all that settled into my bed I'll be in there for like two minutes and I'd be like I have to get back up again and my mom had to like oh like she had to help me because I couldn't walk by myself and so she didn't get any sleep either so I also also got that too. And that was so painful in itself where I'm like, there's just so, like, so much that has happened where I'm like, I just want to like die. I'm like, please, I'm like,

this, like, this is too much for me to handle. I'm, I'm like, I just would rather you just, you know, take me out and, you know, we can call it a day. Because I'm like, I don't know if I could, like, live with this. And they couldn't figure out what's going on with me either with the C-Def. They, before. They were, like, I was sick. And then they're like, what's happening with her? And they're just like, I don't know what's happening.

Like, they're trying to figure it out. They're doing all these tests to see what's happening. And then my mom was telling, like, the nurses, like my stepmom, who was a nurse. and then the other nurses that we grew close to at St. George Regional, because at that time I was transferred over to IMC, which is in Murray, Utah, which is like a 45 minutes away from my house. But she was like, I don't, like, she's so sick, we don't know what's going on, though. And then, like, explaining all of her, like my symptoms.

And they're just like, she has C-Diff. That sounds like C-Diff. like have them check for CETA. And she was like, oh, okay, like, then I'll tell like the doctor and like, or the nurse is like, this is what they need a test for. And so she went to the doctor and said, oh, you need a test for C-DF. And that's probably what she has. And they're like, yeah, I don't think she has that though. like it's like it doesn't it just doesn't make sense and I I really don't think she has this

and then they kept doing like all these other tests and couldn't figure still couldn't figure it out and of course that's what it was yeah and like still going to figure it out and then I like at that point like I could not eat I could not I could not drink or anything I was like I want to like I I want to die. Like, it's too painful. And then my mom was, like, so fed up. It was, like, 4 a.m. of me just, like, staying awake because I couldn't, you know, sleep. I couldn't, you know, get, like, a night's, good night's rest because I was up and going

in the bathroom constantly. And so she's just, like, she left the room and then, like, went up to a nurse station, and she was demanding. You get the doctor here now and test for CEDAF. I'm done playing this game of all, like we don't think she has it. Like, test her for it now.

Yeah. And so they tested me. And what did it come up? I had CEDF. And I was able to get the medication for that and that's someone I started to feel better. after we started to like feel like the medication start working and they you know kicking in and uh I my mom is my saving grace she is like she was my sound of voice yeah oh in the hospital

because obviously I didn't have one yeah I didn't have one she like was with me every step of the way like that woman never left my side she went everyone told her, like, we can stay with Courtney and you need to go shower. She would, she would, if I would, like, no, I don't need to. I don't need to, like, do this. I can sleep here. I can, like, it's fine. I don't need, she, we came, we became super close.

And during that time, because we were with each other, like, constantly. And I, I'm very, I'm, like, so blessed for that time. that I got with her during that time because, yeah, we became so close. And I, like, I know that was like a not so great thing that happened on, but a good, like a great thing, like, came out of it, you know, getting that relationship with my mom. And I just remember just, like, being, after the stroke being so, like, all, like, the bad end of my life being stripped away from me.

because in the hospital, my mom said that, like, I was, like, Chad, like, again, being, like, like, saying hi to everybody that we, like, like, wheeled past, like, because I would be in a wheelchair because whenever I would, I'd go anywhere, would be in a wheelchair. I would say hi to everybody. And, like, I would, I was so happy in the hospital, like, even, you know, like, these things were happening to me. I was so happy. And, you know, and, you know, and.

she said that she felt like she was talking with Jesus, you know, like, like a, like, I, like, I, like, I was so close to him at that time that I, like, I, like, everything was just shining through. And this horrible heat thing happened to me, yeah, for sure, but I, I, I wasn't focused on that. and I was able to look at the positives. I was able to, you know, like, that's what I focused on. And I was, like, so blessed to be able to, like, be that way, you know, like, doing that. Like, because some people, like, you know, when things get hard or something, they just shut down. They just, like, they're just saying, like, it's too much.

Like, I can't, like, they. But I was able to, you know, shine through the bad. And yeah, my mom talks about that with me all the time. And she just was like, I just, you were just so happy and do this, do that hard time. And I, like, I looked up to you. I still look up to you because he went through this hard thing and so many hard things. And you weren't mad. You were, I was sad, but, you know, with all the things that happened to me, but I wasn't angry yet, you know.

God for having this happen to me, you know? And I was also grateful that I was able to bring peace to, like, my family and, you know. Yeah. Because they're all just, you know, worried about me and all these things. But I was able to bring some peace knowing that, like, I wasn't, you know, struggling mentally. I was able to feel the good and a mostly bad time, you know? Yeah.

I don't know. I explain that, though. I think too, you know, sometimes we realize the reality of life when the worst things happen and it's sad sometimes that it takes something traumatic or scary to happen. But I feel like sometimes it's in those times that we really start. to notice the small things, the things around us, what's important, what matters, what doesn't. And I think that that really can bring people together. Yeah.

You know, and I think that like you said before, it was a horrible thing that happened and terrifying, but at least your life is saved. Yeah. It could have been healthy your whole life. And then all of a sudden, you know, with the holes in your heart. You could have had kids. Right. Like, it's scary.

Like, like, like, and then they just lost their mom, you know. Like, it would have been like. Worse. Yeah, worse. Yeah. So I, I, you know. And then now are you, do you feel like you have fully recovered or is, are you still in any type of rehab or anything or no? Um, at this point that they, my insurance stopped after two years paying for.

on my rehab. So I just, if I want to do like some rehab, I'll just like go the gym. Okay. So like, you know, here and there, like try to work on some things, you know, walking, lifting weights, stuff like that. But yeah, after two years, you're like, yeah, she didn't need it anymore. Like my answer's like, yeah, she's fine. Do you feel like you fully recovered from it or not yet? I feel like I'm 90% better. I feel like there's like 10% where I can be like 100%, but I would say I'm mostly better. So like.

Right, and it's amazing, you know? Yeah. Because you would never know from the answer looking in, which is, I always think that's so crazy and interesting and something that people need to remember. That's just like you're a case where you would never know. Oh, yeah. What has happened.

Exactly. I, you never know. And you don't know like what other people are going through or happened through you. Yeah. And my stroke from where I was at the beginning, like I had like a major stroke where to be where I am right now is a blessing in itself. Yeah, right. And like. How long did it take for the drooping to go away?

Oh my gosh. That took like six months. Really? Yeah. Were they, did they know if it was going to go away or not? They were like, yeah, like she has to do like, when she does speech, like my speech rehab would be like you working these muscles on the right side of my face. You know, try to like get them to, you know, start working. And doing those muscles, like working those muscles like helped me to. Build it more. Yeah, build it more. I still like, I still feel sometimes I do still have like a droop. because like it's my face and I'm like yeah there's there's something like not right about like you know talking yeah yeah just so that makes you feel no yeah it makes me yeah no like I never know yeah and then

the right side of your body like your your right arm and leg do you feel like that's pretty much all better or do you feel like there's still like some weakness on that side I feel like there's some weakness still on that side but um the the only thing that really bugs me about the side is my nerve pain I developed very severe nerve pain from the stroke and the nerve pain is constant and never goes away and even taking medication for it it doesn't take it away so I feel this pain all the time sorry no you're so and there's nothing that they can do about that because the medicine doesn't work no they're just like the it's like again with the brain like they don't know they don't know complicated.

Yeah, they're like, you could either go away or it doesn't. We don't know. That's crazy. And it's been six years of me having this. And I'm like, well, I don't know if like maybe it's going to go away or not. Yeah. And so I'm like praying to heaven almighty that it will go away. But, you know, if it doesn't.

I do think it, like I feel like it is, at least for me, it would be so reassuring to know the calls. Yeah. Because I feel like, you know, if you just have something like that happen. and you don't know why. I feel like you're living in this fear every day of like, could it happen again? Yeah. But I feel like the fact that they were able to find that calls of it. Yeah, and like fix the holes in my heart.

Yeah. Like I feel like it kills two birds of one stone. Yeah. Figured something out that could have affected your future. And then it, you know, it's scary. But I think it's interesting when you were talking about how you kept thinking you were fine. I feel like that was your body probably trying to protect itself.

Yeah. Because if not, you go into shock and panic. Yes, because like right one... Like if you can't move. Yeah, you're like right because like when I felt like, right when I moved my right right leg for the first time, that's when everything clicked and on that, that's when I started to like...

Yeah. It's... Going to panic. Like when you lose control of your function of your body and, you know, we take it for granted, like so many small things, you know? And I mean, people realize that even when they get sick with like a cold or something and you're like, oh, like I just want to get better. But, you know, when you lose function and you can't do simple things anymore that, you know,

seemed like just part of your everyday routine, it puts things into perspective. Yeah. For sure. Because, like, I was 18 and, like, ready to start my life and, like, ready to be an adult. And because I was barely an adult. And, but to be transformed back into a kid again, we're learning how to do things. It's just frustrating. It, like, physically sets you back.

but I think mentally it pushes you forward because you're going through something that people your age don't typically go through. I had to grow up fast. Yeah. And grow up super quick because like... It's mentally challenging to say the least. Yeah. You were right.

I mean, so many people could probably relate to just wanting to give up and be like, just kill me. Yeah. Because this is hell. Yeah. And that's horrible. It like when I was just keep like when I caught like getting sick and sick and like in the hospital I was like all right right what's next yeah like I'm like you just if you're just gonna if you're gonna take me just take me right like just and everything was so different like one thing after another after like it's

it's terrible yeah and I was just like at that point I was just like I I don't yeah I'm done I'm I can't handle another thing that's going to happen to me I'm like did you end up going to college after? I am in college right now. Oh, good. Amazing. When do you graduate? I graduate in two years. Okay. Two years. So I just barely started because, you know, doing rehab for two years and like, you know, yeah, it takes time. And I know. You're still so young though. You have so much time ahead of you. Yeah. And like I do what you want to do? I am going to school for nursing. Okay. Amazing. I love that. The reason why I am. going to school for nursing is because when I was in the hospital from my stroke in the

neuro ICU, I had this one nurse, you know, there's like nurses out there that are like, you know, not softies. They're just, they're just like, yeah, no, like they're just not softies. They're just like, you know, they're just there to like work and, you know, do their job and, you know, not like, Yeah, like after the work day's done, like go home, you know, like, she's, she was very, like, not like hard, harded, but like, you know, like, very cold. Not cold, but like, it's like when. Like just like to the point. Yeah, yeah, to the point. And when I, she, like, when I was her patient one time.

I, like, I just, I just softened her. I remember just softening her. And to the point where she would stay after her work days, like 12 hour days, so, you know, to come and talk to me and my family, you know, see how it was doing, like, see how, like, I was progressing, like, any, like, she would come and talk to us for hours and hours. Or, like, I wish, I, she was helping me shower. one time and I got dressed, back dressed, and she would like help me dress. And then I remember

her brushing my hair and, you know, after the shower. And she was putting in the living conditioner in my hair and brushing my hair. And I remember like looking up her and being like, I love you. Oh, I love you. And she's just like, I love you too. Like I love you. I love you. I just remember her, like softening her, like her heart. And she brought her makeup from home. You know, and her makeup brushes, her makeup pallets, and came and did my makeup one time. Because, you know, I wasn't able to, like, you know, get dressed up there. I was just, I was in a gown.

And, like, I, like, have videos of her, you know, just doing my makeup. And me saying, trying to say palette. And she's just like, what? And I'm like, palette, palette. It was her makeup pellets. And she was like, oh, yeah, like, palette. Like, even though we couldn't really talk on, like, I couldn't talk to her. I, we still, like, connected in, like, an emotional way, like, a mental way.

And I, she showed me that what I want to do is be a nurse. Like, because after high school, I really, again, I didn't know what I wanted to do. Yeah. And she showed me, oh, like, this is. like my path this is what I want to do because in high school I didn't take any like anatomy classes I didn't like there I had no idea that I wanted to go this route until then and I'm so I'm so thankful for I'm still in contact with her to this day because I'm like you know checking in because you know checking in with her like I just

like I have visit her like every time that they go up to St. George like I would go visit her. And I just, I'm like, and the, when I was staying in that neuro rehab down in Murray, that the nurse in the ER that was, you know, was maternal over me, came and brought her son and, you know, came and visited me and she came down here and, you know, came and visited me and took the time out of her day to, you know, come see me. me and come say hi. That's so sweet.

And I was also grateful for both of them. Absolutely. Both of them. And they both showed me what I wanted to do was healthcare. Well, I think, too, like in those times when you are struggling and you're in need, of course, it's great to have your family there as support. But I think having medical professionals that also make you feel like you're important and like you're at home, that can be really comforting and make you,

feel very safe. And it is important to have that. Yes. It's scary. It is scary. You're in something like that. You're terrified. You're frustrated.

You're confused. So to have somebody that knows what they're doing kind of support you through that and also be there to. Yeah. So often the situation, it is helpful. Yeah. It's very. I made, I don't know, like, what would have happened if I didn't have that because it was, it changed. They changed my life.

life. And I'm like, I want to do the same for them because I know that they did. They changed my life like completely. And you can do that for others. Yeah, I want to do that for somebody else. Yes. And use my story to, you know, tell everybody that, you know, you can get to, you know, where I am. Like, you know, like I had to, like, I worked in a spinal cord. rehab as a CNA after my stroke because I got my CNA right after like, you know, when they showed me what I wanted to do and I was like, this is what I wanted to do. So I got my CNA certification and I started working as a CNA and I worked in the spinal cord rehab department. And I remember just having like people there just, you know, doing therapy because, you know,

they lost function in their legs or their, you know, their arm, like everything. Like you, like you, like, like it's either you know one of the other and I remember having this one patient you know talking to me that they like were skiing and they had an accident and broke their neck and now they're here and he doesn't like he didn't know how to like you know take it and like he like doesn't because everything was he was fine one second and the next he wasn't and I was able to be like I used my story to my advantage, but I was able to say, I know this, I'm not, I, I didn't have like the same thing happened to you, but I once was, you know, normal, happy and nothing wrong with me. And then once I can't, everything was taken for me.

And I was able to be like, I had a stroke and I had to relearn how to do it. do everything. Like I was in rehab for, I was in the hospital for over a month learning, relearning how to do everything. And I think that is so important and incredible when people can relate to somebody and be like, I truly do get it. Yeah. I had to relearn too. And I think that that makes it even more special that you are, you know, wanting to help people and helping people that are going through similar things like that. Yeah. Because you genuinely get it. You're not, you know, and it's okay. Some people do treat their job just like in and out, you know, they're there for that. But I do think that, you know, people like you are even more important

in the sense when you can just like give that, that relatability. That's what people need most. I mean, we are meant for human connection. Yes. People need that connection and they need, that helps them get through things. No, I agree with you 100%. And when I first left the hospital, the rehab center. I went over to the hospital to say hi to everybody, like all my therapist, my nurses and, you know, doctors there just like say hi. And there's this one therapist that was like, we have a patient here who's from France. She was over here, you know, going to school and she had a stroke and she's in this room and I feel like she would benefit from you talking to her

about your story and how, you know, how you're progressing. Yeah. So I was able to, you know, go chat with her. I even though like we didn't speak the same language because obviously she's in France, but I was able to connect with her emotionally and be... Just like you and the nurse. Yeah.

Yeah. And, you know, tell her and, like, tell her it's going to be okay. It's a long road, but it's going to be okay. Yeah. Like, I, like, if you need anything, I'm here. And, like, after she got out of the hospital, like, I, like, her, my mom would talk to her mom because her mom, like, flew down from France, so, you know, be with her in the hospital. And then when they went home, they, they,

she would send me stuff, I would send her stuff, she would email back and forth and I would get pictures of her like doing stuff like she loves like horseback riding, you know, and I, I loved it. I love, you know. It makes a difference. It makes a difference for sure. And I was glad to, you know, bring some peace to her and her mom, you know.

Because again, she like has had a stroke and she was young, she was in college and in a different country. Her mom wasn't there. Her mom was back in France. Right. And I was able to bring her some comfort. And I'm very, very blessed to be able to be that person for her as well. Because even though you wouldn't think, like, she wasn't doing anything for me because I was the one talking to her.

But she changed me as well. Of course. And it also helps you not feel like your situation was like that you're alone. Yeah. Even if you're through it, it doesn't mean that you don't think about it or still have it there that like you, it's part of your story and journey as well. Yeah. So that's going to help you just as much.

Yeah. No, definitely. And I'm so thankful for all the people that I've, you know, met because of this. And I am just like so, like, even like opportunities or like, you. you know, experiences that I've happened in my life. And I'm also grateful for that as well. And when my mom was told that, you know, you should probably like, you know, record her doing stuff

or like talking, you should like, you know, so she can see her progress as she goes along. So if she gets frustrated one day, you can be like, remember how you were the first day or the second day or the third? you're not like that now. You're so much better than where you were now. And that would make her feel so much better. Yeah.

She would, yeah, like record me doing stuff. And then she decided one day that she wanted to post one on Twitter. And she just wanted like, you know, like at least, she just wanted prayers for me, you know. She just wanted to put something out there to people. Because she had like five followers. she was just, she was not like a post, like, she didn't post on there. She was just there to, like, stalk her children. And she just posted, like, saying, like, this is my daughter.

She had the stroke. Like, if anyone out there who's following me, just, like, please pray for her. And, like, a couple days go by. And one of her friends, like, her friends who she saw a couple days that are, like, have you been on Twitter? Like, have you, have you, have you, like, have you, looked at your Twitter and she's just like, no. She's like, your post about Courtney went, like, is going viral.

Like, it's so, like, so many people are, like, retweeting it, like, favoriting it and, like, reaching out to her. And, like, you should go see it. And so she went to go see it. And she had, like, so many people try to, like. reach out to her she had like a basketball player on the cavaliers like wanting to like you know see how it was doing and then wanting to send me stuff and he sent me stuff and a football player from the Denver Broncos wanting to send me stuff and like so many like all like I got I get she was getting

messages from all over the world saying like I'm praying for you praying for your daughter and she was like, oh, like the, like this is insane. Insane. Like how many, like how people, how people are reaching out. Yeah, like, come together and, you know, praying for this girl that people, they don't even know. But they, like, they're, you know, DMing her their stories and, like, saying, like, oh, like, I'm praying for your daughter. And, like, God, this is what I went there. And like, she was just so grateful for all that she had, it was seriously, like, all over,

people all over messaging her. And I was also, like, very, like, grateful for all those people who reached out to me and my mom. And, you know, I couldn't thank them enough. And then that's when I started to, you know, get into TikTok. And I was like, oh, like, maybe I could, like, you know, start posting my story. on there. And that's when I started, you know, getting a following from my story because, you know, it's not like a normal thing. Right. And people love to connect and hear what people have gone through. Yeah, exactly. And it never stop sharing it. I always tell my guess, like if you're

open to sharing your story, never stop sharing. No. Because it always helped so many people. So many people, like I've had so many people, like, reach out to me, talking to me about their, like, their stories. And, like, it makes me feel close to them, you know. And I love, like, hearing, you know, their experiences and their stories. And I, that's probably one of my favorite things about having this, you know, people following is people reaching out to me and saying, like, saying, like, their stories. like their story and I love it I love it I I that's yeah my favorite thing about it and and and it turned it to this thing of like you know you know posting and like my story or like my days of like you know as a stroke survivor you know and the you know like about my heart surgery like like all these things like

it's just someplace where I can just like you know vent if I wanted to and then but also help people help yourself. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. It's the best of this world. It's perfect. Yeah, it's perfect. Yeah. And like, obviously, like, there's hate, but obviously it's fine. It's everywhere. It's the part of, it's the downside of social media. Yeah. But those people, you know, I always say this, somebody that can have, first of all, negativity and anger, that's its own demon, but somebody that can hate on somebody that, I mean, hating on someone in general is so stupid. be a miserable person. They really, yeah.

Doing that for somebody that is just trying to share their story or, you know, show their life or whatever it might be, you know, if you don't like it, don't watch it. Yeah. But if something is triggering something in you to have a negative mean reaction, that's only a reflection of you. Yeah. No, like it's definitely like that, I totally agree. I had this one time because I had to relearn how to drive, obviously,

because I had to get my driver's license again. because I lost that function too because, you know, I don't really know how to do everything. So I re-learned how I got my license again when they said, oh, like, you're pretty much better. So I think you can get, like, have your license back. And so I got it. And then my neurologist gave me like a handicap parking because it, like walking for me, places if I walk for too long I get super tired and like

it's just like at Disneyland if like we're walking around I get like tired like way more tired than anyone else but you still went through something so traumatic that it's like even if you are better it's normal yeah I feel like unexpected that you might have to take things slower and easier yeah I'm like I just So what people had something to say about you having a handicap?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I had a handicap and I parked in the handicap and spot and I was like, I think it was going to like, you know, a store, like Target or something like that. And I remember somebody saying, are you sure you're able to park there? And you look fine to me. And I was just like.

But once again, that's a prime example of somebody looking at you from the outside and judging. That's why we should never judge other people who cares. You know what I mean? I'm like, I don't need to explain something to you because I don't even know you. And guess what? If somebody is parking there and they are fine, that's their karma. Yeah. Not yours. Don't worry about it.

You know what I mean? Like people are just outrageous with those kind of things. But never let that deter you. No. Obviously what you haven't. But always keep sharing and letting people know, you know, the ends and. out obviously within your comfort level, but that just helps so many people. It's so important. I think that it's amazing that we have platforms that people can share their stories and

connect with people through an online platform where it doesn't have to be face to face. Yeah. It makes the biggest difference. It makes people feel like they aren't struggling by themselves. You know, there's nothing like relating to somebody who's gone through something, especially if it's somebody that's younger and like it because especially if something like that happens you could feel like well this only happens to older people like that's what you would think but being able to find other survivors that that's happened to it it really it makes you feel better yeah in your situation because like before the stroke I had I heard nobody nobody my age have having a stroke ever and then after then I started to hear like so many other people like you have

up new doors. Yeah. Like opened up like a major door to me, I mean feeling I'm not the only one out there. I'm, because at the beginning I was like, I know, like this happens like nobody. Yeah. Like this should like what this happens to nobody. And then like after time goes on like after like time went on, I'm like, oh, there's so many other people out there that I didn't know about that have had the same. thing happened to them and then made me feel peace yeah and like i'm not like not saying like i'm so

grateful that you had that happen to you and like we're able to share that but like i'm just grateful for you to like be to be able to share that with me yes and i i'm i'm very glad to like you know make you feel comfortable enough to you know open up to me too because it's just not something that you want to like share louder than the world most times but like for me I'm like I I I do because I'm like I yeah it's my story and I I want people to know that I I didn't just get here just because I got here from work hard and determined like hard work and determination and I I just know that not having like the competitive nature that I did have, like, you know, playing sports and all that. And it didn't, I wouldn't feel like I didn't, wouldn't have that drive that I did have.

That makes sense. And to, you know, fight. Yeah, fight and to get better to where I was. And I was grateful for me to, you know, like also have that as well, you know, to, you know, have that fight in me and wanting to get better. Yeah. Absolutely. Well, you did amazing. Thank you.