In December 1998 I suffered multiple strokes which left me globally aphasic and right sided paralysed.

At the time I was working as a Doctor in Public Health Medicine in Yorkshire and was visiting New York. After my arrival I felt very unwell. I was in great pain and admitted myself to Montefiore hospital (Albert Einstein Centre of Excellence). I remember the nurse shouting at me .. When she finally took my blood pressure she understood the seriousnes of my condition. I was suffering a massive MI (heart attack). Being wheeled away to catherisation I told my sister not to worry ..

.. ten days later I came out of coma. The treatment (thrombolysis) had caused multiple CVA (strokes); my cardiologist in Wakefield later called it aggressive and interventionist.

First, I could neither move nor speak. I have no memory of Christmas nor New Year ..

When my husband arrived from England the day after my attack, the admitting Doctor, gave him no hope. On the seventh day I had another MRI scan. It came out worse than the first one. At this stage the neurologist 'wrote me off' as well. And the cardiologist, who's treatment had caused my stroke, was now mostly concerned with who would pay the medical bills. In the USA Consultants bill patients and not the hospital!

But miracles happen! Three weeks later I took my first steps. At this point the neurologist "adjusted" his previous diagnosis and told my sister: BUT, she will never speak again. As he made his exit I whispered ?que dice?.. we never saw spanish speaking Dr Katz again..