Karen Lester knows she experienced a terrifying medical emergency when she had a stroke last year. But what she remembers is kindness and dignity. Your support of neurological care at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital helped Karen recover.

“I left work early with an excruciating migraine, followed by relentless nausea and disorientation,” Karen says. “I was rushed to Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center, where a CT scan confirmed I had suffered a stroke. Given the severity, I was transferred to Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital, a center of excellence for stroke care.”

Your gift gives stroke patients like Karen hope. It helps caregivers like those in the Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital ICU team care for their patients with compassion at every step.

“From the very start, the ICU team treated me with kindness and dignity,” she says. “Even though I couldn’t speak, they made sure to look me in the eye, acknowledge my presence, and include me in every conversation. One nurse even adjusted my bed so I could see the sunset. These small gestures made a profound difference.”

Karen started speech therapy where she learned — much to everyone’s surprise — that while she couldn’t speak, she could sing. Her first words, sung softly, were “I love you” to her husband. She was later moved to a step-down unit and, finally, a physical rehabilitation facility. While her recovery is still ongoing, Karen is driving again and preparing to return to work.

“Thanks to the incredible care I received, I’ve regained my life,” she says. “I will always be grateful.”