On December 4, 2022, I had one of the most traumatizing and scariest experiences of my life. The incident resulted in a five-day hospital stay and a need to walk with a walker for about a week or two. This is my Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) recovery journey and testimony — a story of God’s faithfulness and healing in progress.
My son and I were both home sick with the flu on a Sunday morning. My husband, who wasn’t sick, decided to stay home from church with us, and I’m so glad he did, because of what was about to happen next. My son and I both had fevers. I don’t remember if we already knew he had the flu, but at this point, we didn’t know that I had it too. My fever was high, and I was feeling terrible, but I was just sitting on the couch with my little boy and my husband.
All of a sudden, I felt an intense wave of nausea and an urgent need to go to the bathroom. I rushed to the bathroom and made it just in time, but while sitting there, I suddenly felt myself losing consciousness, as if I were about to faint. My body felt incredibly weak, and my vision started to blur.
I shouted with all my strength, as loudly as I could, “London!” calling my husband’s name, then I blacked out.
I came to briefly while he was trying to lift me. I couldn’t stand on my own or speak. I had no control over my limbs. He kept calling my name, and although I could hear him, I couldn’t respond. I kept drifting in and out of consciousness. Eventually, he got me to the bed and called 911.
The next time I opened my eyes, EMTs and police officers were in the room. I still couldn’t move or speak. One of the officers repeatedly called my name. I could look at him for a moment, but my eyes would drift, and he would snap his fingers to regain my attention. I couldn’t even nod my head when he asked yes-or-no questions, but I could understand everything. I felt completely trapped in my body. In my mind, I called out “Jesus! Help me, Jesus!”
Then I blacked out again and woke up in the ambulance.
The Hospital Stay
December 5, 2022
By the time I was in the ambulance, I was able to nod my head yes or no, but I still couldn’t speak. I don’t remember arriving at the hospital. After a couple of hours there, I was able to move more of my body and speak a little, but I was having trouble finding words, what the doctor referred to as “word-finding.” I would try to speak normally, but even forming simple sentences took a lot of effort and concentration.
I was talking to my father-in-law, who had come to check on me, when all of a sudden, my heart rate dropped. Alarms from the heart monitor started going off, and although I can’t fully describe how I felt, my body went into a state of panic. Nurses and the doctor rushed in. I don’t even know exactly what they did, but they ended up tilting my bed so that my head was lower than my feet. Eventually, my heart rate returned to normal.
They decided to admit me to the hospital under a stroke protocol. After a five-day stay, several MRIs, and various tests, we found out that I had experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA). It’s not a stroke, but it’s often called a “mini-stroke,” even though technically it isn’t one. I was also diagnosed with the flu.
Regaining Strength
My hospital stay was bearable until the second or third day. After that, I couldn’t take it anymore, I would cry because I wanted to go home and missed seeing my son. He is young, and I was on a floor/unit where minors weren’t allowed to visit. Thankfully, my husband was with me every day, and other family members came to visit multiple times, so I usually had someone there with me.
Keep in mind, I was on bed rest most of the time I was there, which made everything more difficult. On either day three or four, I was finally taken off bed rest. That’s when the occupational therapist and/or physical therapist came in, and I walked for the first time since the incident.
I had no idea I would have trouble walking. When I stood up and tried, my walk was unsteady and wobbly. I couldn’t walk on my own, no matter how hard I tried or how determined I was. I couldn’t believe it, it felt like I was in someone else’s body. I couldn’t walk anywhere without nearly falling down.
They gave me a walker and scheduled me for a month of physical therapy, along with in-home nurse visits for about a month.
Recovery at Home
When we went home, I had to use the walker everywhere. I also had to use a shower chair because I had trouble standing steadily in the shower. I began receiving in-home care, starting with the occupational therapist, then the physical therapist, and nurse visits, which, I believe, were twice per week. I was about 35 years old when this happened! I never imagined anything like this for me, especially at this age.
I praise God because by the second week after being released from the hospital, I was able to walk normally again!
I can’t fully describe how bizarre the entire experience was. For up to two years afterward, if I ever felt dizzy or off balance, I’d immediately fear I was about to have another TIA or even worse, a stroke, and that fear alone would sometimes trigger a small panic attack. Looking back, I realize my TIA recovery journey isn’t just about physical healing; it’s about trusting God through the unknown.
A Setback at Work
Over the next few months, I saw several doctors, including a neurologist and a cardiologist. Sometime between 2023 and 2024, I had to wear a heart monitor for two weeks, which thankfully came back normal. I was assured that I had no underlying heart issues. While I had been diagnosed with a TIA, the neurologist suggested it might have actually been a severe migraine that caused the episode.
About a year later, in November or December of 2023, I experienced another, less severe TIA while I was at work. All of a sudden, I felt disoriented, my vision became blurry, and I began speaking strangely. My co-workers took me to see the in-house nurse, who checked me out and immediately called an ambulance to take me to the hospital.
Although this episode wasn’t as severe as the first, it was still frightening. My speech was delayed. Later that evening at the hospital, I regained the ability to speak normally, but once again, I had difficulty finding the right words.
I was out of work for a few days and thought I was ready to return, but the very same day I went back, I started feeling off again and had to leave early.
Another Scare and A Hard Decision
I was out for a few more days before returning to work. Unfortunately, I had another episode, worse than the last one, and my co-workers had to call an ambulance again. This time, I was admitted to the hospital overnight, and the incident led to me being out of work for the next few months while I recovered.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to return to my position because it required more from me physically than I could give at the time, and my doctor agreed.
God Redirected My Steps
For context, I had been working at a daytime program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping them with daily activities and leading weekly music and singing sessions. I absolutely loved the consumers and the staff there. I spent my days dancing with them, singing, staying on my feet, encouraging them to get on theirs, and helping them enjoy life.
It was very different from much of my previous work experience as a realtor and business owner, but I had wanted to do something more meaningful and enjoyable, so that’s why I chose to work there. Plus, the schedule was perfect for our family. I would drop my son off at school, be at work within four minutes since it was just a few blocks away, and then get off in time to pick him up at dismissal. It was, I thought, the perfect situation for us.
But clearly, God had other plans.
Answered Prayers
I had been praying that our son would be able to continue attending a private Christian school, and God answered that prayer. About two months after leaving my previous job, I was hired at a private Christian school, and I was able to enroll our son there for first grade. Not long after, my husband decided to join us as a teacher at the same school.
So, the Lord made a way for all of us to be at this school together, and I haven’t had an episode in over a year. I am so incredibly grateful to the Lord for keeping me and not allowing the enemy to take me out! While this was physical, I do believe it was also a spiritual attack. I’m reminded of the scripture:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” – Ephesians 6:12 KJV
It rings true to me because I remember that after this health scare, I experienced fear like never before. At one point, I had an incident while resting in my bed. My fitness watch alerted me that my heart rate was either too high or too low, and the fear that gripped me was beyond explanation. I called on Jesus. To this day, I don’t know if it was a dream or not, because I was lying down, but I do know it was an attack. During that time, I clung to 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” The song below played often in our home during that season, and I love it because it’s essentially singing that very scripture.
Choosing Health and Believing God for Healing
There are many possible reasons the TIA may have occurred. I was diagnosed with PCOS around 2016, and some complications can come with that. It puts you at higher risk for other conditions.
So, what am I doing about it? I’ve made small lifestyle changes, and I want them to become habits over time. I’m also learning about anti-inflammatory eating, since I seem to battle with chronic inflammation. I’m trying to do my part so that God can do the parts that I cannot. He is the healer!
My TIA Recovery Journey: God’s Faithfulness in Progress
I’m believing God for my complete and total healing. He already blessed us with a son after we struggled to conceive due to PCOS, and I’m trusting Him for more and full healing in my body.
My testimony is this: God kept me alive! He allowed me to walk properly again after temporarily needing a walker. He brought me back to the baseline I had before the incident. It could have been worse; I could have had a stroke, but I didn’t, and I’m so grateful for that. Jesus brought me through this journey and is helping me take steps to steward my health well. Even though my TIA recovery testimony is still unfolding, I can say with confidence that God has carried me every step of the way.
This post was originally published in 2017 on my music site, doniellemusic.com, but since it’s a big part of my personal testimony, I wanted to share it here as well—featured Image photograph taken by JMarsh Photography.
Table of Contents
Our PCOS Diagnosis and Faith Journey
Many of you may already know that my husband and I are expecting our first child. I am blessed to be carrying our baby boy and am overly excited to meet him on or around January 2nd, 2018. When we announced the big news, I felt compelled to share more than just your typical pregnancy announcement. God had done something so amazing for us that I promised Him I would not hesitate to share our PCOS pregnancy testimony so that He gets all of the glory that He deserves. I talk more about why I share my story in The Heart Behind A Life Revised.
What most people don’t know is that we had been trying to conceive since November 2015. I had it all planned out in my mind. I was the person who tracked my cycle meticulously. Yet, there was one problem: my cycle was extremely irregular. I could go 2-3 months without a period. After a few months had passed with no positive pregnancy test, I decided to see my doctor and find out what could be wrong. In February of 2016, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS). I had to take several tests and an ultrasound to confirm it. The ultrasound revealed that my ovaries were enlarged and had many little cysts on them, a common effect of PCOS. One could have mild to severe PCOS, and I was told that I did not have the mild version, but that I had “full-blown” PCOS. I left the office, sat in my car, and cried my eyes out. It was a strange moment because it offered me an explanation, which gave me some peace, but also placed this invisible barrier in front of us.
What is PCOS and How It Affected Our Pregnancy Journey
If you are not familiar with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), here’s a brief overview. It is “A hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges.” It can cause many complications, including:
Infertility
Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
Miscarriage or premature birth
Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes
Depression, anxiety and eating disorders
Obesity
Back to our story….
Trusting God While Waiting
Now, my husband is surely a man of God. He hears from the Lord, and I often joke with him, saying, “You are definitely God’s favorite.” We know that God is no respecter of persons, but the Lord ALWAYS honors what my husband says or plans. It’s actually encouraging to me because I can see the Lord move in his life and on his behalf from behind the scenes. It has been proven time and time again that when he says “The Lord said such and such is happening”, it happens. Around the time that we started “trying to conceive”, it was prompted by something the Lord told my husband. God pretty much told him to be fruitful and multiply (paraphrase). So you could imagine our surprise when it didn’t happen right away, and we discovered this big complication. Still, we trusted that God is faithful to His word even when it looks like it’s not going to happen. We NEVER believed that we would not have children. The Lord showed me my children in a vision a few years ago, and I just knew that it was going to happen. This was just a test of our faith.
Due to the diagnosis, I had to take Metformin, a drug commonly used for people with diabetes, because it helped with my insulin resistance. I also tried many natural supplements for at least 3 months in an attempt to help regulate my cycle. Nothing worked. I started to track ovulation to see if I could pinpoint the days I would be most fertile, and I literally went about 2 months without a positive ovulation test. I was devastated and disappointed nearly all of the time and would constantly go back and forth between being sad, depressed (also a side effect of PCOS), and then encouraged and full of faith. The roller coaster was real, ya’ll. London, my husband, would often encourage me, and he seemed to be the strong one for both of us. He never complained and never had any negative speech.
In July of 2016, we went on our annual ministry trip to California with House of Chayah Ministries. We are always blessed on this trip and get to encounter Jesus in a new place with new people, and it’s just amazing every time. This year, we met a wonderful man of God at Power For Living Ministries. He is full of the Holy Spirit, and noticing that, I asked him to pray with my husband while we were all conversing and hanging out after service. He gave a very on-point prophetic word, and we were so blessed. In the middle of his prophesying, he says, “I see such a concern about babies, why this concern? Woman, barrenness is not something God has given to you….” He goes on to speak directly to us regarding having a child, and much more. We were floored, but not shocked, as we know and experience prophecy all of the time. It’s just another amazing way the Lord says, “I love you and I see you.” Now we have never met this man before. We did not know him. To top it off, we had not told anyone of our “situation” except for 1 or 2 family members who were not on this trip or associated in any way.
As you can imagine, our faith did cartwheels. We were so revived and renewed in our hearts and minds. The one true God, creator of the universe, lover of our souls, was so concerned and involved in our little lives. The things that were prophesied, even the number of children we would have, were heard before. It was the 2nd time we heard that number. The Lord told us before we were married how many children we would have. It’s something you write down and don’t think about until you hear the exact same thing again years later. If you know me, you know I recorded the whole thing…oh yes, I did. So that I could go back and listen to see if it was true. I’m sitting here typing this blog post over a year later, watching the Lord do all that He said He would do.
Sidebar: If you would like to read more on prophecy, check out the Bible: 2 Peter 1:21, Amos 3:7, 1 Corinthians 14:3, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, and many more.
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets”
Amos 3:7
So once we got home from this trip, I expected to get pregnant fast… Not so!!! It’s hilarious how the Lord does things. I struggled in prayer, asking if it was OK for me to go see a fertility specialist and take fertility medication if necessary. Surely God gave us doctors, and it would not mean that I lost faith in Him because I went to the doctor. My OBGYN started me on a fertility drug called Clomid. It’s supposed to make you ovulate. I did 2 rounds of it and finally had a positive ovulation test!!… Still, I did not conceive. I believed that the Lord was OK with me going to the doctor. So I took it a step further and started seeing a fertility specialist at Penn Medicine. To make a long story short, she did many tests, confirming PCOS again, and wanted me to wait 3 months before starting on Clomid again, and she would start me on a much higher dosage. I had already been off of it for about 2 months before then, since it clearly wasn’t working for me. During this time, they ran tests. My husband and I resolved in our minds that we wouldn’t keep “trying” but we would just “be.”
In my private prayer time with the Lord, I would often say that we are totally dependent on Him. I asked Jesus to do it naturally so that He could get all of the glory. I didn’t want anyone to say that it was this doctor or this medication, but wanted it to be explicitly known that God Himself did it. Also, during this time, the Lord was doing the miraculous regularly at my church, Bethel Deliverance International Church. I had been asking the Lord to completely heal me from PCOS and for Him to give me new ovaries. I believe God can do it, and I’ve seen Him heal so many at my church and other places. So, after a total of about 5 months since I stopped using the fertility meds, I still had irregular periods and all of the other signs that PCOS was still present and not improving. Our minds were in a better place, and we were just living life, still with the hope that our children would come.
In April 2017, as I was preparing to graduate from the School of Prophetic Development, we had one more class/fellowship. It’s called the graduate’s dinner. I was looking forward to this day 2 years ago when I started school, because the seasoned prophets pretty much go in and prophesy to us graduates individually. When my turn came, a few of the prophets ministered to me. Two of them whispered in my ear (separately) that the Lord showed them me giving birth. One of them even said the same number of children that had been said to us previously over the last 2-3 years. Another reminder from the Lord. We are firm believers that the Holy Spirit in the Bible is the same Holy Spirit that operates today (Romans 8:11, Hebrews 13:8). Now, this post is not to begin a doctrinal argument; it is simply what happened to us.
Moving on….
Our Natural PCOS Pregnancy Miracle
On April 22nd, 2017, I received a phone call from Penn Medicine as I was driving. This was also the day that I graduated from the aforementioned school. I had taken a blood test about a week before because the doctor wanted to start me on Clomid again, but needed to check my progesterone levels before I could be approved to take the medication. I had been fertility med-free for months by this time. On the call, the Nurse told me my progesterone was a certain number (she said a particular number, but I forgot what it was lol). I had no clue what that meant. Then she says, “Hold up, can I put you on hold?” When she came back, she told me that she was so concerned about giving me the blood test results that she almost overlooked the fact that I’m pregnant! I was like, “Come again?” She said it again, “You’re pregnant.” I asked her if she was certain, and she said it for the third time. When we hung up, I screamed to the top of my lungs! I screamed and cried so badly that I had to pull over! I was in so much shock. You know, I praised the Lord like never before. I was pregnant naturally. No fertility meds, no special anything, and nothing that anyone could take credit for except God. After 17 months, the Lord did it naturally!
The weeks to come would be trying. I had to get an ultrasound immediately at 5 weeks. Then again, at 6 weeks and 8 weeks before I could be released to my regular OBGYN. They had to determine if the pregnancy was viable. One of the ultrasounds had a little scare as there was fluid around the embryo. We prayed, the mothers at our church prayed, and when we went back, the fluid was gone. No explanation needed. Today I am 7 months pregnant. Our little boy is on his way. We call him Baby Houston and #thepromise. God is faithful. I just wanted to share our story. This is not a formula for anyone, but simply the way God did it for us. He may very well do it much differently for you. I promised Him that I would share this testimony, and I hope that it encouraged someone to keep trusting in the Lord, no matter what it looks like.
Celebrating Our PCOS Pregnancy Testimony — 7 Years Later
2025 Update: Our son is now 7 years old!
Pin This Post: Our PCOS Pregnancy Testimony: Trusting in Jesus Through the Journey
Hi, I’m Donielle. Wife, mom, Christian artist, and the heart behind A Life Revised.
I started A Life Revised because I feel compelled to share my testimony, and I want to create a space for others to share theirs, too. I created this space to break free from the silence I had settled into, because the enemy would love for me to stay quiet, but I know, like others who walk with Christ, I am called to speak. I’ve been through a lot, and I know I’m not the only one. This is a space for real stories, encouragement, and reminders that God is still a miracle worker! The reminders are for me, too! I am still waiting on God to come through for me in some areas.
Why I Stopped Sharing My Story
I used to be bold in sharing my story, whether I was singing or speaking to youth, I never hesitated to give my testimony. As I entered my 30s battling PCOS and depression, I started to become more and more quiet. I have not shared like I used to. I have not been as social. I pulled back.
Stepping Out in Faith to Share Again
Lately, I’ve been feeling the leading of the Holy Spirit saying to me, “You have a story to tell. You have something to share. I’ve done so much in your life, and you used to share it all the time. People were blessed by your story and your testimony.” I’ve been feeling that nudge, that urge to speak up, to share again.
In A Life Revised, I’m sharing my testimony of Jesus and all that He’s done in my life, but this blog isn’t just about me. It’s also a space for others to share their stories, their struggles, and their moments of breakthrough. Whether it’s healing, deliverance, restoration, or simply finding peace in the middle of chaos, I want this to be a platform where testimonies are told and God is glorified. That’s the heart of this blog: a space for real people to share what a life revised by Jesus truly looks like.
Alongside the testimonies, I also plan to share content through a Christian lens. While I’ll be the primary contributor starting out, I hope to have guest contributors sharing their testimonies and stories of how Jesus loved, healed, and delivered them.
This is not some new ministry launch but simply a creative outlet and hopefully an evangelism tool. The goal is to lift the name of Jesus and draw people closer to Him. My prayer is that people who don’t know Him might want to know Him, and those who do know Jesus would be encouraged that God is still a healer, still a deliverer, still a way maker. He sees us, and He still meets our needs.
That’s why I started A Life Revised.
Why I Chose the Name A Life Revised
The name, A Life Revised, actually came from an old blog I had years ago, before I was married. Back then, it was a simple WordPress.com blog where I shared recipes, my natural hair style tutorials, and bits of life as someone engaged and preparing for marriage.
When I was thinking about what to name this new blog, I remembered my old one, and the meaning behind the name stuck with me. A Life Revised means a changed life. When I think about that phrase now, I think about a life that’s been transformed by Christ. It felt like the perfect name—”Because life with Jesus rewrites everything.” I had to throw the tagline in here, haha.
Stay Connected with A Life Revised
So I want to invite you to follow along on the journey. Let these stories be a reminder of God’s goodness when you need it most. And if you have a story of your own, reach out. I’d love to help you share it here, too.
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