Guy Goldblatt, a 32-Year-Old Marathon Runner Recovers from a Stroke / Yediot Ahronot – Ynet

Article by: Natzaya Yaakov

“I woke up to a different world. I’m still trying to process what happened. It’s hard to describe. I lost my routine, which I really liked. I used to spend a lot of quality time with my family, workout, run marathons, go on trips in Israel and abroad”

 Guy Goldblatt, a 32-year-old high-tech worker, was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm thanks to his wife, Ofri, who insisted that he undergo testing. He explains, “During conversations, I would sometimes lose all my concentration and memory. I didn’t think much of it, but my wife was adamant that it was something serious. People around me made jokes, thinking that I was simply spacing out.

My doctor referred me to an MRI, where the brain aneurysm was discovered. The test saved my life. In 60% of the cases, aneurysms are discovered only after they bleed, at which point there is a serious risk of remaining in a vegetative state.”

Guy started to undergo cerebral catheterizations to treat the aneurysm. An unexpected complication took place during his sixth and final catheterization, which resulted in a stroke and paralysis on the left side of his body.

For the past three months, Guy has been undergoing rehabilitation at Reuth Tel Aviv and is improving every day. During his stay at the hospital, his daughter Tamar was born – a little sister for his 2-year-old son Ori.

Guy says, ” I woke up to a world that crushed me. I’m still trying to process what happened. It’s hard to describe. I lost my routine, which I really liked. I used to spend a lot of quality time with my family, workout, go on trips in Israel and abroad. I ran marathons and was involved in an integrated running group for sighted and visually impaired people.

I am still very much in the throes of my rehabilitation journey. A month ago, I was in a wheelchair and there has definitely been a lot of progress. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work to do. Some days are still difficult, but I am optimistic and a great believer in rehabilitation.”

Guy is continuing his rehabilitation journey at Reuth Tel Aviv’s day hospital.

Click here to read the full article on Ynet [in Hebrew]