Dr. Azmat Alibhai was at the peak of her life. At 42, her children were growing up, her corporate wellness practice was thriving, and she had just completed her therapeutic yoga certification. Five days after thinking this would be one of the best years of her life, she had a stroke.

At the lunch table with her family, words stopped coming. Her body stopped responding. Her husband called his friend and said: Azmat is having a stroke. 

She was rushed to hospital and woke up in the ICU unable to speak, read, write, or move properly. The neurologist looked at her chart and said she was too young for this. But the chart was correct.

When she was discharged 16 days later, she was handed a list of 19 medications. She looked at the list. Then she made a decision that would change everything.