James Jones, Stroke Survivor

Robin Jones recognized the signs of stroke and knew that quick action can make all the difference in a patient's diagnosis and treatment. So when Robin saw that something was wrong with her husband, James, she quickly called 9-1-1.

"By the time I got to the hospital, it sounded like I was talking a foreign language, and my right side was completely gone," says James, who suffered a minor stroke in December 2010.

As a Primary Stroke Center, Valley Hospital Medical Center is well prepared for stroke and stroke-related patients. When patients arrive, they receive a quick patient assessment and a "Code White" is called. Patients are quickly taken to the hospital's CT scan room where technicians obtain high-quality images of the brain.

While James was having his CT scan, his signs of stroke began to improve.

"It was like a light switch," he says. "All of a sudden, I could move my arm and leg again."

James spent three days at the hospital while the staff monitored his health condition and got him started in physical therapy. Thanks to the quick actions of his wife, Emergency Medical Services, and the Valley Hospital Medical Center team, James was soon well enough to go home.

James has high praise for the healthcare providers at Valley Hospital Medical Center, particularly for ER nurses Harmony and Martin. "They were great with both me and my wife," he says. "I've told all of my relatives that I would highly recommend Valley Hospital Medical Center for any major problems like stroke or heart attack. The treatment I received at Valley Hospital was the best care I've ever had."