A stroke at age 25 caused a life reset

By Berlin Tolentino

I never thought I’d ever want to share this publicly. On July 18, 2021, I came back from vacation with friends. I arrived home safely and had a normal rest day. But around dinner time, I went to get a glass of water and accidentally dropped the glass; it cut my thumb pretty deeply. I got super lightheaded but figured I would be fine since I just lost quite a lot of blood.

I continued to dine when, suddenly, I couldn’t feel my right arm and leg anymore. I kept feeling worse and worse and thought I was going to die. I called out to my mom to take me to the hospital. But I realized I couldn’t speak properly. My sentences sounded like gibberish, so she couldn’t understand a word coming out of my mouth. I got so frustrated she couldn’t understand me.

When I got to the hospital, I learned I was experiencing a stroke from three small blood clots in the left side of my brain. I wondered, “Is today the day I’m going to die?”

I was given the clot-busting drug tPA and slowly started to feel my leg again, but the rest of my body took a little longer. I couldn’t believe it. I was 25 years old, and I had just had a stroke.

I basically lost myself afterward. I felt so depressed and had no sense of what life meant anymore. I had to readjust a huge part of my life, physically and mentally.

My right leg was weak, my hand was weak, and I wasn’t able to write or type the same anymore. I was so angry at the world and myself for letting this happen to me. I went out with friends, but my mind wasn’t fully present. Watching everyone have fun and do their own thing made me feel sad, mad, jealous, upset, etc. I hit a breaking point at my cousin’s birthday and just lost it completely. I couldn’t hold myself together anymore. So, I finally enrolled in therapy to try to heal.

My mental state has been a lot better this year. I’m able to go out and enjoy myself more. I’m grateful for this second chance to accomplish my goals. The stroke introduced new obstacles, but the desire to persevere keeps me going.

I’ve had an amazing support system to help me through it. To my family and friends, I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me and for not abandoning me no matter how hard I pushed. I am here and better because of you guys. To everyone else, thank you so much for listening and hearing out my story. Remember: Strokes can happen to anyone anywhere at any time. Keep checking on your friends and family and continue to spread the love. You never know what could happen. 

For more information on this health topic, visit heart.org.

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