It started out like any other Sunday. Alex Jaeploe, 43, was seated in church with his five children. The sermon had just ended, and Barbara Simonds, RN, MSN, of St. Francis Medical Center, had stepped in front of the crowd. Her presentation on diabetes and hypertension was part of a monthly health program held in partnership with St. Francis Medical Center.

Alex had been warned of hypertension before, but he wasn’t one to worry about medical issues. He never would have guessed, therefore, that the presentation would save his life.

Still, he listened as the nurse named several signs of stroke: sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, trouble speaking and severe headaches. She urged the crowd to take aspirin and call 911 at the first sign of symptoms, then went on to describe St. Francis’s 64-slice CT scanner. The high-powered machine, she said, is the best tool to diagnose a stroke.

The rest of the day passed without incident. But when Alex awoke the next morning, he knew something was wrong. His limbs felt like concrete, and he had trouble rising from bed. Then he remembered the nurse’s presentation, and realized he was having a stroke. Alex called for his wife to get him an aspirin and dial 911. When the paramedics arrived, he demanded to go to St. Francis.

Only a day after the church service, Alex found himself inside the 64-slice CT scanner. His blood pressure, at 210/110, was dangerously high – but the quick treatment may have saved his life. Later, the program director called him a lucky man.

“Doctor,” Alex said, “I am a blessed man, not a lucky man.”

Today, Alex is doing well. With the help of his wife, he eats healthy foods, exercises daily and takes blood pressure medication. Alex chalks his second chance up to divine intervention – and a little help from St. Francis Medical Center.