As Stroke Awareness Month continues, health professionals are reminding the public that recognizing stroke symptoms quickly and seeking immediate medical attention can save lives and reduce long-term damage. A recent report first aired by KTBS News highlighted one local family’s experience with stroke recovery and the importance of fast action during a medical emergency.

Dr. Wyche T. Coleman, a Coushatta native, and his wife, Renee Coleman, shared their story to help raise awareness about the warning signs of stroke and the importance of emergency treatment.

Renee Coleman suffered a stroke before the age of 40, affecting the language center of her brain. She described the frightening experience as suddenly losing the ability to process and form words.

“It’s almost just like a bad dream because I didn’t understand what was going on,” Renee Coleman said in the KTBS report.

Dr. Coleman said he immediately recognized that something was seriously wrong and called 911 without hesitation. He emphasized that getting medical care quickly is critical during a stroke because doctors have a limited window to administer clot-busting medication that can greatly improve patient outcomes.

“The first thing I did was call 911,” Coleman said. “Get to the hospital that is the closest to you as fast as you can because that’s absolutely critical to the outcome.”

Doctors were able to treat Renee Coleman within the critical treatment window. However, her recovery required extensive physical, occupational and speech therapy. More than a year later, she continues speech therapy and says recovery has taken patience, determination and hard work.

Health professionals say common warning signs of stroke include sudden numbness, confusion, trouble speaking, vision problems, dizziness and severe headaches. During Stroke Awareness Month, medical experts continue encouraging the public to call 911 immediately if stroke symptoms appear.