James Feazell has dedicated his life to serving others. A lifelong Largo resident, former collegiate football player, pastor, professor and realtor, he has spent decades building relationships and helping people in his community.
So, when he suddenly couldn't speak, he knew something was terribly wrong.
What began as an ordinary Good Friday changed in an instant. After preaching at church and spending time with members of his congregation, Feazell stopped at a nearby McDonald's on his way home. Although he felt "a little off," he wasn't concerned until he tried to place his order.
"I knew what I wanted to say," Feazell recalled. "The words just wouldn't come."
Recognizing that something was wrong, the McDonald's manager immediately called 911. Sunstar paramedics quickly transported Feazell to HCA Florida Largo Hospital, where physicians and nurses confirmed he was having a stroke and began emergency treatment.
For Feazell, the diagnosis was especially frightening.
"I use my ability to think quickly and communicate every day," he said. "At that point, I didn't even recognize my own parents. I couldn't string together a sentence. All I could think was, 'Will I get better?' I said a prayer and asked God to help me."
When he woke after treatment, seeing his daughter gave him hope.
"My daughter was there," he said. "I recognized her. Things have been getting better since."
After receiving emergency care, Feazell continued his recovery with teams across the hospital, including the intensive care unit and inpatient unit. Determined to regain the abilities he had lost, he committed himself to recovery one step at a time.
Recently, he returned to HCA Florida Largo Hospital to reunite with the physicians, nurses and caregivers who helped save his life.
"I'm still not back to where I was before, but I'm a whole lot closer than I was," Feazell told the care team. "For that, I owe you all a thank you."
For emergency department nurse Taylor Adkins, seeing Feazell return was a powerful reminder of why she chose healthcare.
"Thank you for coming back," Adkins said. "We love seeing patients who have positive outcomes. In the emergency department, we do everything we can before patients continue their care elsewhere, so it's incredibly rewarding to see someone doing so well."
Looking back, Feazell credits everyone involved in his care, from the McDonald's manager who recognized something was wrong to the Sunstar paramedics and the physicians, nurses and caregivers at HCA Florida Largo Hospital, with helping make his recovery possible.
https://mediaconnect.app.medcity.net/embed?id=7d9e5c9e-ec1c-4cc9-adc3-22ba8bacfb62