We’re glad to see that he is being positive about this.
Nine-year PBA veteran Doug Kramer yesterday revealed that he sufered a mild stroke last month.
“Oct 10 I had a mild stroke after doing an exercise at home. I felt extreme dizziness and lost my balance. I never passed out or fainted. In fact I remember everything that happened clearly,” he said on an Instagram post. He was confined in the hospital for six days.
We know what you are thinking: How can such a fit, healthy guy like Doug suffer a stroke? He asked the same thing.
Turns out, Doug had a miniscule congenital (he was born with it) hole in his heart and doctors concluded that it was the cause of the clot. He went through a minor procedure called a PFO Closure to seal the hole, and prevent another possible attack.
Being a family guy, Doug worried about his wife Cheka Garcia-Kramer, and his three kids because of what happened.
“I really thought of my family. How Chesca had to take care of me, and thinking Kendra, Scarlett and Gavin are still so young. I’m so blessed that through modern technology and great doctors, I’m able to still play in the right time and most importantly to still enjoy every moment with my beautiful family,” he said.
Doug took the incident as a blessing in disguise. The mild stroke, he said, was possibly protecting him from something worse in the future.
He also took the opportunity to appeal to the PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa for the possible inclusion of a 2D echocardiography of the heart in the mandatory annual check-up of athletes.
“With that test, you’ll be able to see any enlargement or most complications in the heart. It can definitely save a person’s life once you’ve found out early,” he said.
Doug said he’s not yet completely out of the woods, but he has definitely improved.
We can’t wait to see you back in top shape.