We’re used to seeing the picture perfect #TeamKramer all smiles, as if they don’t have a care in the world. But their seemingly charmed life is not without its struggles.
The patriarch of everybody’s favorite family on social media took to Instagram to reveal that he suffered a mild stroke.
“Been wanting to open up about it. And finally I can. Yes, 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.,” he began. “In fact I remember everything that happened clearly.”
The clot in his brain was caused by a condition he’s had since birth
He recounts in his post that he was in the hospital for six days, undergoing tests such as MRI and 2D Echo. Finding the cause of the stroke were his doctors’ top priority. After a series of heart checkups, the medical staff found a small congenital hole in his heart, which he had since birth, that caused the clot in his brain.
“It was frustration then gratitude. Without a doubt, it was a blessing in disguise…”
“I reflected and cried. Not because of what happened, but because I saw how God’s favor was upon me and how He was possibly protecting me from something worse in the future. It was frustration then gratitude. Without a doubt, it was a blessing in disguise,” marveled the 33-year-old PBA veteran, who also believes his stroke saved him from a more serious condition which could be caused by the hole in his heart in the future.
On October 14, he underwent a procedure to close the hole in his heart. He was discharged a day later with instructions to refrain from “full contact” basketball for about 3 to 6 months.
“When all of this 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.”
“It’s been almost six weeks and doctors allowed me to finally do some cardio through the bike and do light core work,” narrated Doug in his two-part post. “When all of this 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.”
He also expressed his gratitude for modern technology and great doctors for allowing him to still be able to play basketball and to “enjoy every moment with [his] beautiful family.”
Since he’s still “not out of the woods” as he needs time to properly heal, Doug called on his 866,000 followers on Instagram to keep him in their prayers. He also reassured them that he is okay and doctors have noted how he is recovering well.
In the second part of his post, he urged his fellow athletes and his PBA contemporaries to prioritize medical checkups, specifically 2D Echo for the heart.
“It can definitely save a person’s life once you’ve found out early,” wrote Doug, commending the PBA for taking steps in making this a requirement. “So I truly hope it’ll all push through and have all the support of the PBA teams and players to secure our future, not just for basketball but being able to spend more time in staying healthy for our families.”
In closing, he reminded his followers that “God is in control”. He also thanked Sports journalist Quinito Henson for helping him share what happened through a Philstar column.
READ: Chesca and Doug Kramer celebrate their 8th wedding anniversary