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Horse trainer battles brain aneurysmSHELBYVILLE, Tenn. (AP)--When Jerry Williams left the hospital, a baby in his mother's arms, it was 38 years before he'd ever have to go to a hospital again. In fact, you might even say the Tennessee walking horse trainer was as healthy as a horse. That changed Sept. 30. "I came home for lunch and I was getting ready to go back to the barn,'' said Williams. "I got hot and broke out in a cold sweat, and got a bad headache--a pain like I've never felt before. I was numb on one side and couldn't move. I yelled for Jamel.'' He and Jamel have been together for 14 years and they have three children, two girls, 16 and 15, and one boy, 11. She took one look at Williams and loaded him into the car. On the way to the hospital, his pain intensified. "I never felt pain like that in my life,'' he said. "I thought I was dying.'' A fender bender had backed up traffic and Jamel jumped out of the car and ran to a police officer, who then helped them get through traffic and to the hospital. Within hours, Williams was on his way to St. Thomas, the victim of a "wet stroke.'' "He has a brain aneurysm,' said family friend and neighbor Becky Jernigan. "The blood was seeping from the aneurysm.'' The St. Thomas doctors had mixed news for Williams and his family--the aneurysm was very small, only 2 millimeters. While that seemed like a good thing, that meant he was not a candidate for "coil surgery,'' a technique that could repair the injured blood vessel. "For coil surgery, it needs to be at least 4 millimeters,'' said Jamel. It was hard news for the family. His parents came up to the hospital from Louisiana when they heard of his stroke--only hours after Williams's dad received his treatment for bone cancer. He came home a few days later, with a medicine and steroid regimen to reduce the seepage from the aneurysm and swelling in the brain. The aneurysm isn't totally inoperable, but one procedure that could work could pose more dangers than benefits, involving going through the temple. "That's a last resort,'' said Jamel. In the meantime, Williams faces the possibility of a fatal stroke at any time. He has to take it easy--and that's been the hardest for him. He grew up in Louisiana where his father trained walkers, and he's used to keeping busy and doing for himself. "It's real bad now 'cause I'm used to goin' all the time,'' Williams said. "Now, I have to sit back and be waited on all the time; it makes you feel helpless. I've got a lot more understanding for our old people who are used to being on their own and then have to be in a nursing home.'' Another issue facing the family is finances. Being self-employed, Williams couldn't afford health insurance. "The people at St. Thomas were wonderful,'' said Jamel. "They're trying to get him help and told us not to worry, just work on getting better. We were able to take a deep breath.'' But there will be bills to worry about. The family of five has to eat and pay rent and now there is no money coming in. Jamel had been a stay-at-home mom until recently, but has been to school to become a medical assistant. She is looking for a job when she isn't taking care of Williams. "I'll take anything,'' she said. Friends are rallying to help. Becky has established an account for donations at Heritage South Credit Union in Williams' name. Williams, who worked for trainer Dick Peebles for many years, now rents stalls for his horses from Charlie Green. "Charlie's been wonderful,'' said Williams. "When I first got out, I went to check on my horses and Charlie was looking after them.'' His children have been helpful, too, and the whole experience has been an eye-opener for him. "It scares you,'' said Williams. "It makes you look at things different.''
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