Mandy Jones

My Experience: TIA

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to understand what a TIA is, and how I could have possibly had one. I’ve always thought of myself as young, healthy, active, and capable of handling stress. However, I’ve come to realize that may not have been entirely true.

In July 2025, during a particularly stressful period of my life, I experienced something that shook me in a way I never expected.

I woke up around 6:00 a.m. and noticed my right leg was completely asleep. At first, I assumed I had slept on it wrong. When I sat up, I realized my right arm, chest, and abdomen were also numb and tingling. Again, I brushed it off. It wasn’t until I stood up that I understood the numbness went all the way up the right side of my face. Everything from my head down felt wrong.

The best way I can describe it is that my right leg felt like it weighed over 100 pounds. I could barely move it, and the same was true for my arm. It reminded me of leaving the dentist after being frozen; you know the area is there, but it doesn’t feel fully connected or under your control.

That episode lasted about ten minutes and then passed. I texted a few family members, trying to make sense of what had just happened.

Around 6:30 a.m., it happened again. This time, suddenly and intensely, from my head to my toes. I genuinely thought I might collapse. However, instead of calling 911, I called family. Looking back, that’s hard to explain, but in that moment I was scared of traumatizing our three boys, and I didn’t want to believe something serious was happening. 

My mom answered and talked with me while I explained what I was feeling. I asked her to come over as soon as she could.

Just before 7:00 a.m., it happened for a third time. I bent down to pick something up, and the sensation washed over me again. This time I truly believed I was dying. I called my husband, then my sister beeped in. I took her call and she urged me to get checked. When my mom arrived, she stated she noticed some slurring in my speech and could see I was struggling to move around while getting the kids ready for school. She told me we were going to the hospital.

She helped with the kids and then took me straight to the hospital. When I arrived, I had a CT scan, and a few hours later I was sent to a larger Hospital via ambulance “code stroke.” I remember feeling embarrassed as we went lights and sirens, thinking, Can this really be happening?

At the other hospital, I went directly for another CT, bloodwork, and had neurological exams. My husband left work and met me there. Fortunately, the CT was clear and (unfortunately) the doctor suggested it was likely a migraine. I was sent home to rest, but I knew what I experienced was not a migraine.

The next day, I followed up with my family doctor. He immediately noticed my cholesterol was very high. I was started on cholesterol medication, two blood thinners, and referred to the secondary stroke clinic.

Over the months that followed, I went through extensive testing: two MRIs, a contrast and bubble echocardiogram, a TEE, and a Holter monitor. Through that process, doctors identified a PFO (a hole in my heart) and evidence of a previous traumatic brain injury. Fortunately, other causes such as MS and a full stroke were ruled out.

It took about six months, but I finally had answers: I had experienced a TIA.

Today, I’m focused on making meaningful lifestyle changes; lowering my cholesterol, moving my body more, prioritizing sleep, eating better, and reducing stress. I’m incredibly grateful that I did not have a stroke, and I understand now that a TIA is a warning or “a mini stroke”. It’s your body telling you something isn’t right and that you need to take it seriously.

I haven’t shared this experience with many people. Part of me feels weak for having gone through it, and part of me still finds it hard to believe. But what I want others to know is this: trust your body. If something doesn’t feel right, follow up and advocate for yourself. Push for answers and testing when you need them.

I’ve been given another chance to take better care of my body, and I plan to do exactly that.

Thank you to those that have donated or signed up to walk with me. ❤️