Keith Walker

 15 years of age is when Keith began suffering from extreme migraine headaches with stroke like symptoms. Back in the day, the common treatment was oxygen, aspirin and caffeine. 
In early 2010, when returning from looking for work in Texas, Keith had a major onset of symptoms leading to us having to contact the cell phone company and the Alabama authorities to assist us in locating where he was driving. Long story short, he had what the classified as a TIA and came home after 3 days in the hospital. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol as well. We began seeing a migraine specialist (neurologist specializing in migraines) immediately. The migraines were somewhat controlled over the next few years--although we did find out that he had numerous TIAs just not the major symptoms. 
In February 2016, Keith suffered a major stroke on both sides of his brain. We made the decision to give him TPA (clot buster).  He was transported from Union General Hospital to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. He spent 6 days in the hospital and left with minor physical impairments. He seemed to be a bit more fatigued, slower and  weaker in strength but we were glad he was here with us. They found that he had a stroke on both sides of his brain but the majority was on his right side. Then the new diagnosis was that he had a PFO that never closed after birth and they believed that was causing the blood clots to go to his brain. He tried to work after but really just couldn't recall what or how to do tile installation any more. 
September 2016, he exhibited stroke symptoms again and he was transported to Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. They re did most of the tests and stated it was a TIA not a full blown stroke. He was admitted for observation for 36 hours. In that time, they located the PFO - it is actually between the two sides of the heart and that was what was more than likely causing the clots. Due to its location, they couldn't just repair it without making sure he wasn't experiencing AFIB so they installed a loop recorder heart monitor under his chest skin.