My Wedding Day Was Meant To Be the Happiest of My Life, Then I Nearly Died

On her wedding day, Anna Lasco was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. She and her fiancé Connor had been engaged for two years and meticulously planned their dream wedding. However, things took a tragic turn. After arriving at the venue with her bridesmaids for hair and makeup at 8 a.m., Anna began to feel dizzy and lightheaded around noon.

Her symptoms worsened quickly, with her vision deteriorating and vertigo setting in. People guessed she had not eaten or drunk enough, and that her blood sugar might be low. Despite these concerns, she was told she was likely having a panic attack. As the hours passed, it became increasingly clear that her symptoms were not improving and they made the difficult decision to call off the wedding.

Instead, close family and loved ones gathered at the ceremony spot to witness their marriage, followed by an immediate hospital visit. After being declared legally married, Connor carried Anna to the car and they drove to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where an MRI confirmed she had suffered a stroke due to vertebral artery dissection.

She received treatment, including a blood thinner and an MRI that revealed the blood clot had grown. Anna spent a week in the hospital and then moved to rehabilitation for physical therapy. While her strength is improving, she still experiences some deficits, including weakness in her left arm and leg, limited mobility, and a slight limp.

She is now back at work on a partially remote basis and continues outpatient therapy. Anna's story highlights the importance of recognizing stroke symptoms and seeking immediate medical attention. Despite the setback, her family and friends have been incredibly supportive, with a GoFundMe page raising funds for her recovery.